W
E A T H E R
D
A T A
M
E A S U R E D
& C
A L C U L A T E D
UV (Ultra Violet) Radiation
29
T. B. Fitpatrick of the Harvard Medical School developed a categorization of skin
types 1 through 6 which were adopted by Environment Canada. These skin types
are detailed in Table 3b below.
Note:
More about the Fitzpatrick Skin Types is available in: Fitzpatrick TB. Editorial: the validity
and practicality of sun-reactive skin types I through VI. Arch Dermatol 1988; 124:869-871
T
ABLE
A1: EPA S
KIN
P
HOTOTYPES
S
KIN
P
HOTO
-
TYPE
S
KIN
COLOR
T
ANNING
& S
UNBURN
HISTORY
1 - Never tans,
always burns
Pale or milky white;
alabaster
Develops red sunburn; painful
swelling, skin peels
2 - Sometimes
tans, usually
burns
Very light brown;
sometimes freckles
Usually burns, pinkish or red color-
ing appears;
can gradually develop light brown
tan
3 - Usually tans,
sometimes
burns
Light tan; brown, or
olive;
distinctly pigmented
Rarely burns; shows moderately
rapid tanning response
4 - Always tans;
rarely burns
Brown, dark brown,
or black
Rarely burns; shows very rapid tan-
ning response
T
ABLE
A2: E
NVIRONMENT
C
ANADA
S
KIN
T
YPES
AND
R
EACTION
TO
THE
S
UN
S
KIN
T
YPE
S
KIN
C
OL
-
OR
H
ISTORY
OF
T
ANNING
& S
UN
-
BURNING
I
White
Always burns easily, never tans
II
White
Always burns easily, tans mini-
mally
III
Light
Brown
Burns moderately, tans gradu-
ally
IV
Moderate
Brown
Burns minimally, tans well
V
Dark
Brown
Burns rarely, tans profusely
VI
Black
Never burns, deep pigmenta-
tion
