To varying degrees all skin types are at risk of skin cancer, but with 90% of skin cancer cases and deaths caused by over-exposure to UV radiation, your skin type is arguably either your greatest weakness or defence against the disease. Understanding your skin type plays a vital role in managing your skin health and surveillance.
No matter your skin type, UV radiation can cause dangerous, lasting damage to your skin and all skin types can develop skin cancer. However, your skin type is a major contributing factor to your level of risk. Understanding your skin type is important as it plays a vital role in managing your skin health and safeguarding against skin cancer.
Your skin type or colour (pigmentary phototype) is dependent on a pigment called melanin. Melanin is produced by specialised cells, called melanocytes. Melanocytes are found throughout the skin and eyes and are where melanoma can develop when the cells are damaged by UV radiation.
The more melanin you produce, the darker your eyes, hair and skin will be. Melanin serves to help protect the deeper layers of the skin from some of the harmful effects of the sun. It does so by absorbing harmful UV radiation and it darkens when doing so, producing pigmentation and leaving you with what we call a sun tan. Therefore, dark or black skin has a higher level of natural protection as opposed to white or fair skin. The amount of melanin in your body depends on several factors, including genetics and how much sun exposure your ancestral population had.
According to the scientific classification known as Fitzpatrick skin typing, there are six pigmentary phototypes (skin types), ranging from very light (type 1) to very dark (type 6). The Fitzpatrick scale shows how this numerical classification for human skin colour determines your UV phenotype (how your skin responds to the sun) and thereby determines your level of risk of sunburn and skin cancer.
Whilst sunburn is strongly linked to the development of skin cancer, even if your skin tends to tan, rather than burn you are still at risk. When the skin produces melanin and darkens the skin, the simple fact that the skin is changing colour is a warning sign that your body is working hard to defend itself from the harmful effects of UV radiation. For more information go to: Sunburn and tanning.
To learn more about your skin type, your level of risk of developing skin cancer, and to receive rationale and advice to help you reduce your risk and detect the early warning signs – click on the skin type classification below, that best matches your own skin. When selecting your skin colour, bare in mind that your natural skin colour (the skin colour you were born with) is best determined by assessing an area of skin that has not been affected by sun exposure, such as under the arms or buttocks.
Pale / ivory and fair skin tones: Skin burns easily and doesn’t tan
or rarely tans.
Light brown, olive & caramel skin tones:
Skin can burn with prolonged exposure but generally tans easily.
Dark brown and black skin tones:
Skin is unlikely to burn
and tans quickly and easily.
People with Fitzpatrick skin type 1 or 2 are at greatest risk of skin cancer in comparison to other skin types. This is because these skin types lack the natural pigment melanin, which is produced when our skin exposed to UV radiation to help protect it from some of the harmful effects. Therefore, people with these skin types are more likely to burn, are more susceptible to sun damage and are at greater risk of developing both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.
Protect your skin: Take extra care to ensure your skin is properly protected from the sun’s harmful rays. When the UV index reaches 3, use the five S approach to sun safety consistently and in combination to reduce your risk of sun damage and skin cancer. Never use sunbeds.
Check your skin: Take the time to get to know your skin and check it monthly for the early warning signs of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.
