Phototypes: what are the skin types and how to sunbathe

Each person, due to genetic predisposition, has a different sensitivity to ultraviolet rays from the sun and can burn their skin more or less easily. This feature is called phototype (from photo or “light”). Each of us is described by a phototype and from each phototype we obtain indications on the times of exposure to the sun and on the protections to be used on the skin.

Tips to protect from the sun include:

• the duration of sun exposure : this should only increase by 5 minutes a day
• sunscreen : switch from a high to a low level of protection, without sudden “jumps”
• the time of exposure to the sun : it should always take place only until 11 in the morning and after 3 in the afternoon; in other words, exposure to the sun in the 4 hours between 11 and 15 should always be avoided

Tan during pregnancy

There are special precautions to take if you are pregnant. Tanning during pregnancy is our dedicated article.

Tanning and children

Newborns have not yet developed the natural self-protection characteristic of the skin with the production of melanin, so they must always be protected and not exposed to the sun. Even children need more attention. Find out how and why to protect children from the sun.

Skin types

There are seven different phototypes, classified with a number from 1 to 7, and a corresponding descriptive adjective. You can easily tell your skin type by looking at your face: from hair color, skin color, the presence of freckles (freckle-like spots) and eye color.

Phototype 0: albino

The hair of the “albinos” is white, but of a different white from that of the elderly. The skin is pink and without freckles. The eyes are transparent (ice color).

This type of skin always burns and has no chance of tanning. Skin protection from the sun must be total.

Phototype 1: Nordic

The hair of the “Nordics” is red. The skin is very clear and with many freckles. The eyes are clear (blue or green).

This type of skin tends to burn very easily . Exposure to the sun starts from 5 minutes on the first day and reaches a maximum of 20 minutes on the fourth day, but cannot exceed 20 minutes a day. The protective cream must start from the highest and gradually go down to 15.

Phototype 2: Scandinavian

The hair of the “Scandinavians” is blond. The skin is clear and with few freckles. The eyes are clear.

This skin type burns easily . Exposure to the sun must start from 10 minutes and go up to a maximum of 30 minutes. The protective cream to use must start from the highest and decrease up to 12.

Phototype 3: Celtic

The hair of the “Celts” is light brown. The skin is clear without freckles. The eyes are green or brown.

This type of skin tends to burn. Exposure to the sun can start from 20 minutes and go up to two hours. The protective cream must start from the total one and go down to the maximum at 10.

Phototype 4: Norman

The hair of the “Normans” is blond. The skin is naturally golden. The eyes are blue and brown.

This skin type can get sunburnt. You can expose yourself to the sun starting from 1 hour up to a maximum of 4 hours, using a protective cream that starts from 10 and which can go down to 4. The tan takes on an amber color.

Phototype 5: Mediterranean

The hair of the “Mediterraneans” is dark brown or brown. Skin color is olive.

This skin type rarely burns . Exposure to the sun can start from 2 hours and go up to 4. It is advisable to start with a level 8 protective cream and go down to 4. The maximum tan takes on an intense brown colour.

Phototype 6: Indian

The hair of the “Indians” is brown or black. The eyes have a dark color.

No problem exposing yourself to the sun. A sunscreen against UVA can be used to avoid the aging effect of the skin.

Phototype 7: African

The hair of “Africans” is black. The eyes are dark. The skin is black.

No problem for sun exposure. A sunscreen against UVA can be used to avoid the aging effect of the skin.

Recognize your skin type by hair color

• Red hair is characteristic of phototype 1 (albino)
• Blond hair is characteristic of phototypes 2 and 4 (Scandinavian and Norman)
• Light brown hair is typical of the number 3 (Celtic)
• Brown hair is associated with phototypes 5 and 6 (Mediterranean and Indian)
• Black hair is classified into phototypes 6 and 7 (Indian and African)

Recognize your skin type by eye color

• Blue eyes can belong to 1 and 2 (Albino and Scandinavian)
• Light green eyes are from 2 (Scandinavian)
• Brown eyes are phototypes 3 and 4 (Celtic and Norman)
• Dark eyes are phototypes 5, 6 and 7 (Mediterranean, Indian and African)

Recognize your skin type by its color

• Skin milky white : albino (1)
• Light Skin : Scandinavian and Celtic (2 and 3)
• Olive Skin : Mediterranean (5)
• Dark skin : Indian or African (6 and 7)
• Black Skin : African (7)

Conclusion

Phototypes are an indicative classification and each of us can have mixed characteristics. So you have to identify the closest phototype and then “learn” to protect yourself in the right way. It is important to have a cautious approach, respecting the indications judiciously, evaluating case by case. It is advisable to seek the opinion of a doctor.