Skin Type Photo Examples

Fitzpatrick Scale

FITZPATRICK I

Typical Physical Features 

  • White, very pale, porcelain, ivory skin tone
  • Red or blonde hair
  • Light colored eyes  (light blue, light green, grey)
  • Freckles are common
  • Example: fair-skinned Caucasian or Albino, Celtic

Reaction to Sun Exposure

  • ALWAYS burns, blisters, and peels
  • NEVER tans

FITZPATRICK II

Typical Physical Features 

  • White, fair skin
  • Light colored hair
  • Blue, hazel, or green eyes
  • May have freckles
  • Example: fair-skinned Caucasian, Scandinavian

Reaction to Sun Exposure

  • Usually burns, blisters, and peels
  • Tans minimally or with difficulty

FITZPATRICK III

Typical Physical Features 

  • Cream white, peachy to beige or light olive skin tone
  • Any hair color
  • Any eye color
  • Example: darker Caucasian, European mix, lighter-skinned Hispanics or Asians

Reaction to Sun Exposure

  • Sometimes burns
  • Tans gradually

FITZPATRICK IV

Typical Physical Features 

  • Golden to olive or light brown skin tone (like caramel)

  • Usually dark hair and eyes

  • Example: Mediterranean, European, Asian, Hispanic, American Indian, sometimes mixed race African American

Reaction to Sun Exposure

  • Burns minimally

  • ALWAYS tans well

FITZPATRICK V

Typical Physical Features 

  • Brown to dark brown skin tone

  • Dark hair and dark eyes

  • Example: Hispanics, African Americans, Middle Eastern

Reaction to Sun Exposure

  • VERY RARELY burns
  • Tans very quickly and easily

FITZPATRICK VI

Typical Physical Features 

  • Deep mahogany to ebony or black skin tone

  • Dark hair and dark eyes

  • Example: African Americans, African, Middle Eastern

Reaction to Sun Exposure

  • NEVER burns

  • Deeply pigmented (tans quickly and deeply)