Fitzpatrick, 1996 (skin phototype classification)


Fitzpatrick, 1996

Title: Pulsed carbon dioxide laser resurfacing of photoaged facial skin.

Authors: Fitzpatrick RE, Goldman MP, Satur NM, Tope WD

Journal: Arch Dermatol 1996; 132:395-402.

PMID: 8629842, UI: 96218730

Affiliated institution: Dermatology Associates of San Diego County Inc, La Jolla, CA, USA.

Cited in: Almost all laser studies

Fitzpatrick’s Skin Type Classification System
Type Color Characteristics Reaction to first sun exposure yearly
I White Irish, pale, freckles Always burn/never tan
II White Fair-skinned, blonde Usually burn/tan with difficulty
III White Most Caucasians Sometimes mild burn/tan average
IV Medium brown Hispanic, Asian Rarely burn/tan with ease
V Dark brown Middle Eastern. Native American Rarely burn/tan very easily
VI Black African Never burn/tan very easily

Some studies (i.e., Williams) have spilt these categories into subsets like I/II or II/III to indicate people in between these types.