Different Skin Types Explained

SKin Types

There are many different skin types, ranging from Caucasian to African-American to Asian and more. This is caused by the fact that individuals have ancestors that come from many places around the world. There are many reasons why it is important to understand these varying types of skin. One such reason comes whenever you are selecting sun screens.

Understanding The Differences In Skin Types

Skin types are classified according to their reaction to ultraviolet light. These various types of skin include:

Type 1. This is pale skin with red hair and freckles. It always burns but never tans.

Type 2. This is fair skin. It usually burns but sometimes it will tan.

Type 3. This is darker skin. It may burn but it usually tans.

Type 4. This is Mediterranean skin. It rarely burns but instead it will always tan.

Type 5. This is Latin American and Middle Eastern skin. It has moderate constitutional pigmentation.

Type 6. This is African-American skin. It has marked constitutional pigmentation.

African-American Skin

African-Americans’ skin type has more variation of color from one part of the body to the next than does any other racial group’s skin. This can especially be seen in the palms of their hands and in the souls of their feet where their skin is not as thick.

In other areas, where their skin is thicker, there are more layers of skin cells that have melanin in them. As such, their skin is darker in color. Of course, there are also parts of the body where there are no melanin-producing cells at all.

Selecting Sunscreen

It is important to understand that darker skin actually hinders UVA rays from penetrating. Since vitamin B foliates are degraded by UVA and vitamin D is synthesized differently by the various skin types, it is important to choose the right type of sunscreen.