Yes. People with fair skin burn more quickly in the sun than people with darker skin. The more sun-sensitive your skin is, the more important it is to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. Usually, six different skin types are distinguished. Skin type is a characterization of the sensitivity of your skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Some features that can guide you in defining your skin type are given below, ordered from most to least sensitive:
- 1. Skin burns very easily, and never, or hardly ever, develops a tan.
- 2. Skin burns easily, and tans slowly.
- 3. Skin does not burn easily, and develops a tan.
- 4. Skin hardly ever burns, and develops a tan easily (Mediterranean skin type).
- 5. Skin never burns, naturally darker skin (Asian skin types).
- 6. Skin never burns, naturally dark-coloured skin (Negroid skin types).
Figure 3: Skin type chart
| Natural skin colour | UV sensitivity | Skin cancer risk | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type I |
Very fair, pale white, light coloured or red hair, often freckled | ++++ | Skin burns very easily, and never, or hardly ever, develops a tan | Greatest risk of skin cancer | |
Type II |
Fair, white skin, light hair, and blue or brown eyes. Some may have dark hair | +++ | Skin burns easily, and tans slowly | High risk of skin cancer | |
Type III |
Light brown, light olive skin with dark hair and brown or green eyes | ++ | Skin does not burn easily, and develops a tan | High risk of skin cancer | |
Type IV |
Moderate brown, brown eyes and dark hair | + | Skin hardly ever burns, and develops a tan easily (Mediterranean skin type) | At risk of skin cancer | |
Type V |
Dark brown, brown eyes and dark hair | +/- | Skin never burns, naturally darker skin (Asian skin types) | Skin cancers are relatively rare, but those that occur are often detected at later, more dangerous stage | |
Type VI |
Deeply pigmented dark brown to black, dark brown eyes and black hair | - | Skin never burns, naturally dark-coloured skin (Negroid skin types) | Skin cancers are relatively rare, but those that occur are often detected at later, more dangerous stage | |
Source: IARC
Further important factors related to an increased risk of developing skin cancer are:
- Number of moles (naevi) on your skin (large numbers increase your melanoma risk) as well as atypical-looking moles.
- History of skin cancer in your parents as well as yourself.
- Skin already damaged by too much UV exposure (skin that has age spots, has lost its elasticity, is very wrinkled).
- (Artificial) immunosuppression, i.e. use of medication that lowers immune function after organ transplantation.
Your hair colour and eye colour are related to your skin type. For example, red-haired, blue-eyed people are usually more sensitive to UV radiation than are black-haired, brown-eyed people.