Phototype and Tanning

Skin color and tan

The phototype of an individual plays a fundamental role in the tanning process. Depending on the skin type, in fact, it is possible to determine which reactions the skin can undergo in the event of sun exposure. It is not by chance that the individual's ability to tan is strongly dependent on the phototype of belonging.

Indeed, experience teaches us that not all people react in the same way to sun exposure. There are those who immediately buy a golden color and those who, despite their efforts, only get burns, burns and skin inflammation.

"Photosensitivity is defined as" an abnormal response to light (in this case solar), which causes the appearance or deterioration of some dermatological pathologies ".

What is the phototype?

As mentioned, thanks to the phototype it is possible to determine how an individual's skin reacts to exposure to UV rays, just as it is possible to predict what type of tan it is possible to obtain.

Therefore, in light of what has been said so far, the phototype can be defined as a classification method used in the dermatological field in order to determine a person's skin type according to his sensitivity to sun exposure.

The phototype of an individual is determined by the quantity and quality of the melanin present in the skin which gives it its characteristic and unique color.

phototypes

In white skin populations, four classes can be identified in decreasing order of photosensitivity, corresponding to as many phototypes. However, dermatology divides phototypes into six distinct classes, including populations ahead of a very dark and black complexion.

These classes will be briefly described below.

Phototype I

Individuals with phototype I possess an extremely photosensitive milky complexion, burn easily and never tan. Generally, these individuals also have light hair and eyes. When exposed to the sun, phototypes I must protect themselves with sunscreens with a very high protection index (SPF 50+).

Albinos fall into this group and for them, sun exposure should be limited to the maximum and in any case assisted by sunscreens with maximum protection.

Phototype II

Individuals with phototype II have less photosensitivity than individuals with phototype I. The complexion is very light and also hair and eyes are usually light (blond hair and blue or green eyes).

However, the phototype II, although normally burns, gradually takes on a slight pigmentation; he should expose himself to the sun gradually avoiding at first the hottest hours and using screens with very high or total protection (SPF 50 or 50+, in case the skin is already tanned even 30).

Phototype III

People with skin type III have a fairly clear complexion, but still darker than skin types I and II, the hair is dark blond or brown, while the eyes are blue or dark green.

The skin type III burns moderately, gradually tans to a light brown color. Even in the winter months the skin remains brown; the photosensitivity is low but it can burn itself and for this it must however use medium protection sunscreens (SPF 30 or 20, if the skin is already tanned even 15).

Phototype IV

Individuals with phototype IV have a slightly dark or olive complexion, hair is generally brown or dark brown, eyes may be dark brown or light brown.

The skin type IV is not hot enough, it tans quickly to a dark brown color.

It is the most fortunate of the four phototypes normally found in white skin populations, precisely because it has a particularly dark pigmented skin that is difficult to burn, it can guarantee adequate protection even using products with medium-low shielding power (SPF 20.15 or 10 if the skin is already tanned).

Phototype V

People with skin type V have a very dark complexion, black hair and generally brown eyes. They can be burned only in rare cases and get a very intense tan after just a few days of sun exposure. Generally, the phototype V is sufficiently protected from UV rays even with sunscreens with a low protection index (SPF 10 or 6 in case of already tanned skin).

Phototype VI

Individuals with skin type VI have an extremely dark or black complexion, dark brown eyes and black hair. The photosensitivity of these individuals is almost nothing, they are not scalded, but in case of excessive and uncontrolled sun exposure they can still develop skin tumors, often difficult to detect and diagnose because of their black complexion. For this reason, phototypes VI should also protect themselves with sunscreens. In these cases, however, a low protection factor (SPF 6) may be sufficient.

Please note

The classification of skin types based on the color of the eyes and hair and based on the type of complexion is not always valid. In fact, not necessarily an individual with skin type I will have light hair and eyes, but could, instead, be brown with brown eyes; just as it is not necessarily true that a person with phototype IV has dark colored eyes and hair, since he could, for example, have light eyes and dark blond hair.

For this reason, in these cases, the discriminating factor for the determination of the phototype will be without any doubt the color of the skin.

Phototype and Children

As for children, it is necessary to make a separate speech. In fact, compared to an adult - even with the same skin phototype - children have an extremely more sensitive skin to the sun and more susceptible to sunburn and to the development of sunburn or pathologies related to uncontrolled sun exposure. Precisely for this reason, they should ALWAYS be protected by solar filters with a high protection index.