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As our world becomes increasingly diverse, it is crucial to reevaluate and evolve our understanding of skin types. This article explores the limitations of current skin classification systems and highlights the need for a more inclusive approach.

The Beauty of Diversity

In any major city across the globe, you’re likely to witness a stunning array of diversity. The mixing of cultures, traditions, and ethnicities is a testament to the beautiful variety of human existence. However, to truly celebrate this diversity, we must first learn to see it accurately. This begins with our understanding and classification of skin tone.

The Fitzpatrick Skin Types: An Overview

The Fitzpatrick Skin Types (FST) is a widely accepted system for classifying skin tones. Developed in 1972, the FST was initially designed to predict how different skin shades would respond to sun exposure or phototherapy.

The FST classifies skin into six types based on the amount of melanin present, which determines the skin’s susceptibility to burns from UV radiation. Type I represents skin with the least amount of melanin and the highest likelihood of burning, while Type VI represents skin with the most melanin and the least susceptibility to burns.

Limitations of the Fitzpatrick Skin Types

Despite its widespread use, the FST is not without its flaws. Firstly, the classification involves a self-reported survey, which can lead to misinterpretation and lack of reliability. Secondly, the FST doesn’t account for nuanced skin reactions to phototherapy, such as irritation and itching, that may be more pronounced in darker skin tones.

The Impact Beyond Medical Settings

The influence of the FST extends beyond the medical community. Tech companies like Google have used FST skin tones as a dataset for building algorithms for products and services. However, the lack of diversity among the six skin types has posed challenges for AI and machine learning. Recognizing these limitations, Google is adopting the Monk Skin Tone Scale, which offers a more diverse representation of skin tones.

The Intersection of Color and Race

The FST, originally intended to classify skin’s reaction to sunlight, has often been used as a standard for identifying ethnicity and race. This conflation can lead to confusion and misrepresentation. As the U.S. population becomes more diverse, it’s crucial to differentiate between skin color and race or ethnicity.

A Call for Change

As our understanding of skin tones evolves, we must expand our perspective beyond the FST. This involves acknowledging the original intention of the FST and using what we’ve learned about skin health to develop better ways to discuss skin tones. Both clinically and culturally, we must seize the opportunity to view the FST from a fresh perspective.