Main content Sunburn: Skin Types

    Sunburn: Skin Types



    Topic Overview

    Your skin type affects how easily you sunburn. But sun protection measures should be used for babies, small children, and older adults regardless of their skin type, because their skin is very sensitive to sunburn.

    Skin types and sunburn
    Type I

    Red hair, freckles (extremely sensitive)

    Sunburn easily, not likely to tan
    Type II

    Fair skin, blue eyes (very sensitive)

    Usually sunburn easily, tan a little
    Type III

    Most whites (sensitive)

    Sunburn sometimes, tan slowly
    Type IV

    Mediterranean, Hispanic, Asian (moderately sensitive)

    Sunburn a little, usually tan well
    Type V

    Middle Eastern, Latino, Indian, light-skinned blacks (minimally sensitive)

    Rarely sunburn, tan deeply
    Type VI

    Dark-skinned blacks (not sensitive)

    Almost never sunburn



    By: Reference Healthwise Staff Last Revised: Reference September 1, 2011
    Medical Review: Reference William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
    Reference H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine


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