☀️ Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype Classification Simulator

Constitutive Skin Color and Melanin Baseline

Baseline pigmentation sets the starting point for phototype assessment.

• 6: Phototypes (Fitzpatrick I–VI scale)
• Eumelanin: Pigment type (dominant in darker skin)
• 1975: Scale origin (Fitzpatrick, Harvard)
• Self-report: Assessment (history-based questionnaire)

Baseline pigmentation

Placeholder: melanin quantity and type set constitutive skin color.

UV Exposure Burn and Tan Reaction Test

A test UV dose is applied and the erythema/pigment response observed.

• MED test: Test method (minimal erythema dose)
• 24h: Read time (post-exposure check)
• Burn: Outcome A (erythema, no pigment gain)
• Tan: Outcome B (delayed pigment darkening)

Burn vs tan response

Placeholder: UV test dose separates burn-prone from tan-prone skin.

Burn-Prone Classification — Type I to III

Fair phototypes show high sensitivity and limited natural protection.

• Always burns: Type I (never tans)
• Usually burns: Type II (tans minimally)
• Sometimes burns: Type III (tans gradually)
• Elevated: Skin cancer risk (for types I–II)

Fair skin sensitivity

Placeholder: low melanin means faster erythema onset at lower UV dose.

Tan-Prone Classification — Type IV to VI

Darker phototypes tolerate more UV before erythema appears.

• Rarely burns: Type IV (tans well)
• Very rarely burns: Type V (tans darkly)
• Never burns: Type VI (deeply pigmented)
• Higher: MED value (more UV tolerated)

High melanin protection

Placeholder: greater eumelanin content raises the UV tolerance threshold.

Phototype-Based Treatment Dose Selection

Starting UVB dose for phototherapy is set from phototype and history.

• 130 mJ/cm²: Type I start (lowest starting dose)
• 400 mJ/cm²: Type VI start (highest starting dose)
• ~10-20%: Increment rule (per session if tolerated)
• Minimal erythema: Goal (without overt burn)

Safe starting dose

Placeholder: dose is scaled to phototype to balance efficacy and safety.

Placeholder: phototype guides safe, effective narrowband UVB dosing.