Fitzpatrick, 1996
Title: Pulsed carbon dioxide laser resurfacing of photoaged facial skin.
Authors: Fitzpatrick RE, Goldman MP, Satur NM, Tope WD
Journal: Arch Dermatol 1996; 132:395-402.
PMID: 8629842, UI: 96218730
Affiliated institution: Dermatology Associates of San Diego County Inc, La Jolla, CA, USA.
Cited in: Almost all laser studies
Fitzpatrick’s Skin Type Classification System
| Type | Color | Characteristics | Reaction to first sun exposure yearly |
| I | White | Irish, pale, freckles | Always burn/never tan |
| II | White | Fair-skinned, blonde | Usually burn/tan with difficulty |
| III | White | Most Caucasians | Sometimes mild burn/tan average |
| IV | Medium brown | Hispanic, Asian | Rarely burn/tan with ease |
| V | Dark brown | Middle Eastern. Native American | Rarely burn/tan very easily |
| VI | Black | African | Never burn/tan very easily |
Some studies (i.e., Williams) have spilt these categories into subsets like I/II or II/III to indicate people in between these types.