SKIN TYPES
Does my skin type affect my chances of developing skin cancer?
Many people believe that people with dark skin are immune to developing skin cancer. This is certainly not true.
While our skin type dictates our sensitivity to UV radiation, there is risk associated with UVR exposure for all of us, regardless of how fair or dark we are, as the table below shows.
Skin type 1 |
Very fair, white skin
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Burn easily in the summer sun, and find it difficult to achieve a tan
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Greatest risk of developing skin cancer
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Skin type 2 |
White skin
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Usually burn and only rarely tan
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Very high risk of developing skin cancer
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Skin types 3 & 4 |
White and light brown skin
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Usually tan and occasionally burn
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High risk of developing skin cancer
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Skin types 5 & 6 |
Moderate brown, dark brown or black skin
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Rarely burn and easily tan due to sufficient levels of melanin pigment in their skin
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Darker skin offers natural protection against UVR, but still at risk of developing skin cancer
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