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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 no matter what their skin type. Their skin is very sensitive to sunburn.

Skin types and sunburn

Type I

Red hair, freckles (extremely sensitive)

You sunburn easily and are not likely to tan.

Type II

Fair skin, blue eyes (very sensitive)

You usually sunburn easily and tan a little.

Type III

Most whites (sensitive)

You sunburn sometimes and tan slowly.

Type IV

Mediterranean, Hispanic, Asian (moderately sensitive)

You sunburn a little and usually tan well.

Type V

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

You rarely sunburn, and you tan deeply.

Type VI

Dark-skinned blacks (not sensitive)

You almost never sunburn.

Related Information

Credits

Current as of: June 26, 2019

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine