Which skin-type scale was developed in 1975 by Thomas B. Fitzpatrick?

The skin-type scale developed in 1975 by Thomas B. Fitzpatrick is the Fitzpatrick scale. It classifies skin phototypes according to how skin tends to burn and tan after ultraviolet exposure.

Fitzpatrick created the system for practical dermatological work, especially estimating suitable UVA doses for PUVA therapy. The original approach relied heavily on visible traits such as hair and eye color, but it was revised after those features led to excessive doses for some patients. The scale came to emphasize a person’s reported tendency to burn or tan.

The familiar version has six types. Type I generally burns and never tans, while Type VI is deeply pigmented and typically does not burn. Intermediate types describe progressively greater tanning ability and resistance to sunburn. These labels are still widely used in dermatology, cosmetic practice, and research involving pigmentation or phototherapy.

The scale is not a complete measure of race, ethnicity, or actual skin color. Critics note that it was developed from a limited, Eurocentric framework and that self-reported burning and tanning do not capture the full diversity of human skin responses. It is a clinical shorthand, not a flawless biological classification.