Fitzpatrick Scale
Definition
The Fitzpatrick Scale is a numerical classification system developed by dermatologist Thomas Fitzpatrick in 1975 that categorizes human skin into six types (I through VI) based on the skin's response to UV radiation. Type I (very fair skin that always burns, never tans) through Type VI (deeply pigmented skin that never burns). The scale was originally designed to determine appropriate UV exposure doses for PUVA therapy but is now widely used in dermatology to assess skin cancer risk, predict responses to laser treatments, and guide sun protection recommendations. While useful, the scale has limitations — it primarily reflects UV sensitivity rather than overall skin health and does not fully capture the diversity of skin tones. Modern dermatology is moving toward more inclusive assessment tools that consider additional factors beyond sunburn tendency.
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