Fitzpatrick scale

The Fitzpatrick scale and the risk of skin cancer[1]

The Fitzpatrick scale (also Fitzpatrick skin typing test; or Fitzpatrick phototyping scale) is a numerical classification scheme for human skin color, based on how skin responds to UV light.[2]

Types

The following list shows the six categories of the Fitzpatrick scale in relation to the 36 categories of the older von Luschan scale (in parenthesis):[3][4][5]

  • Type I (scores 0–6) always burns, never tans (palest; freckles)
  • Type II (scores 7–13) usually burns, tans minimally (light colored but darker than fair)
  • Type III (scores 14–20) sometimes mild burn, tans uniformly (golden honey or olive)
  • Type IV (scores 21–27) burns minimally, always tans well (moderate brown)
  • Type V (scores 28–34) very rarely burns, tans very easily (dark brown)
  • Type VI (scores 35–36) never burns (deeply pigmented dark brown to darkest brown)

History

It was developed in 1975 by American dermatologist Thomas B. Fitzpatrick as a way to estimate the response of different types of skin to ultraviolet (UV) light.[6] It was initially developed on the basis of skin color to measure the correct dose of UVA for PUVA therapy, and when the initial testing based only on hair and eye colour resulted in too high UVA doses for some, it was altered to be based on the patient's reports of how their skin responds to the sun; it was also extended to a wider range of skin types.[7][8][9] The Fitzpatrick scale remains a recognized tool for dermatological research into human skin pigmentation.

Emoji modifiers

The Fitzpatrick scale is also the basis of skin color in emoji, with five modifiers according to the Fitzpatrick scale (types I and II merged).

See also

  • von Luschan's chromatic scale
  • Skin reflectance
  • Brown Paper Bag Test

References

  1. D'Orazio, John; Jarrett, Stuart; Amaro-Ortiz, Alexandra; Scott, Timothy (7 June 2013). "UV Radiation and the Skin". International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 14 (6): 12222–12248. doi:10.3390/ijms140612222. PMC 3709783. PMID 23749111.
  2. Onalaja, Amanda A.; Taylor, Susan C. (2021). "1. Defining skin color". In Li, Becky S.; Maibach, Howard I. (eds.). Ethnic Skin and Hair and Other Cultural Considerations. Switzerland: Springer. ISBN 978-3-030-64829-9. Archived from the original on 2022-09-14. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  3. "The Fitzpatrick Skin Type Classification Scale". Skin Inc. (November 2007). Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  4. "Fitzpatrick Skin Type" (PDF). Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  5. "What Is Golden Skin Tone? (With Pictures)". Archived from the original on 2021-06-07. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  6. Fitzpatrick, T. B. (1975). "Soleil et peau" [Sun and skin]. Journal de Médecine Esthétique (in French) (2): 33–34
  7. Fitzpatrick, T.B. (1988), "The validity and practicality of sun-reactive skin types i through vi", Archives of Dermatology, 124 (6): 869–871, doi:10.1001/archderm.1988.01670060015008
  8. Pathak, M. A.; Jimbow, K.; Szabo, G.; Fitzpatrick, T. B. (1976). "Sunlight and melanin pigmentation". In Smith, K. C. (ed.): Photochemical and photobiological reviews, Plenum Press, New York, 1976: 211-239
  9. Fitzpatrick, T. B. (1986). "Ultraviolet-induced pigmentary changes: Benefits and hazards", Therapeutic Photomedicine, Karger, vol. 15 of "Current Problems in Dermatology", 1986: 25-38
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