Fitzpatrick Phototype Phenotype Epidermal eumelanin UV Response MED (mJ/cm2)* Skin cancer risk

I

  1. Basal skin tone is bright white
  2. Northern European/British

+/-

  1. Always burns, peels
  2. Never tans

15-30

++++

II

  1. Basal skin tone is white
  2. European/Scandinavian

+

  1. Burns easily, peels
  2. Tans minimally

25-40

+++/++++

III

  1. Basal skin tone is fair
  2. Southern  or Central European

++

  1. Burns moderately
  2. Average tanning

30-50

+++

IV

  1. Basal skin tone is light brown
  2. Mediterranean, Asian or Latino

+++

  1. Burns minimally
  2. Tans easily

40-60

++

V

  1. Basal skin tone is brown
  2. East Indian, Native American, Latino or African

++++

  1. Rarely burns
  2. Tans easily

60-90

+

VI

  1. Basal skin tone is black
  2. African or Aboriginal ancestry

++++++

  1. Almost never burns
  2. Tans readily

90-150

+/-

Minimal erythematous dose (MED) is the least amount of UV that will result in sunburn 24h after exposure
Table 3: Fitzpatrick Scale of Skin Phototypes