Fitzpatrick Skin Types

New legislation could put age restriction on tanning beds

Alexandra Folk's deep, bronze glow is impossible to ignore.

The 17-year-old Folk, of West York, credits her sunkissed look to regular visits to an indoor tanning salon.

But legislation considered recently by the state House Judiciary Committee would ban teens under the age of 18, like Folk, from using tanning beds.

Folk said she's no fan of the proposed legislation. She said she believes she tans responsibly, without overexposing her skin to ultraviolet rays and burning her skin.

Her naturally dark hair and eyes indicate her skin tone is more favorable toward acquiring a tan with minimal sunburning.

Unlike individuals with red or blonde hair paired with light eyes, Folk's skin type isn't considered high risk for developing skin cancer, according to the Fitzpatrick Classification Scale, which groups skin types by how easily they burn or tan.

Republican state Rep. RoseMarie Swanger, of Lebanon County, sponsored the bill because she believes today's teens have found a way to abuse the already-harmful practice of sunbathing by bringing it indoors in the form of tanning beds.

Swanger said it's important to educate teens about the long-term skin damage and negative consequences that could result from exposure to ultraviolet rays.

It's uncertain when the proposal will be brought up for a vote by the committee to determine whether it will be considered by the full House.

Her proposed legislation would prosecute anyone who permits an individual younger than 18 to use an indoor tanning device.

Under current law in Pennsylvania, a parent's signature is required in order to allow a minor under 18 years old to tan at any tanning facility across the state.

Swanger plans to rewrite a portion of the bill to eliminate jail time as potential punishment for tanning salon staff members who allow minors to use their tanning beds.

The World Health Organization has declared tanning beds "carcinogenic to humans," said

Dr. Gavin Robertson, professor of pharmacology, pathology, dermatology and surgery, and director of the Penn State Hershey Melanoma Center.

It is widely estimated that about 80 percent of a human's lifetime exposure to the harmful ultraviolet rays is experienced by the age of 18, which is why Robertson testified in favor of the bill at its House Judiciary Committee hearing.

No ban needed: Several officials from tanning salon facilities across York County declined to comment on the ban.

What is Fitzpatrick Skin Type? - Indian Makeup and Beauty Blog

What comes to your mind when you hear Fitzpatrick skin type ? Well, when I read it my instant reaction was what the hell. I am being honest with you. Normal, oily, dry skin types were fine but Fitzpatrick skin type was absurd. I wondered if such small and relatively easy names like dry and oily could pose so many threats what would this Fitzpatrick (name itself is so complicated for a skin type) would do?

Well, here is what I found out about it.

In 1975, Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, MD, PhD, of Harvard Medical School developed a classification system for skin types. This scale classifies a person’s complexion and their tolerance of sunlight. Today, this classification system is used by many practitioners to determine what products and treatments are appropriate for a particular person. It is used by many practitioners to determine how someone will respond to facial treatments, and how likely they are to get skin cancer. And how likely they are to get skin cancer or develop Actinic Keratosis. It measures several components: Genetic Disposition, Reaction to Sun Exposure and Tanning Habits.

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