Skin Typing

Our skin type is something we are born with and we cannot change it!

There are six basic categories of skin type. See if you can identify your skin type using the table below. Your TSA sunbed operator will always assist you.

Skin Type	Skin Description	Reaction to Tanning

1	Very fair Usually lots of freckles, red or sandy hair; blue or grey eyes	High burn risk; skin turns red and peels. Advised not to tan in sunlight Do NOT use a sunbed

2	Fair Possibly with freckles; blond to brown hair, green and grey eyes	High burn risk. Great care should be taken in tanning. Tanning tends to be light

3	Fair to light brown No freckles; dark blond or brown hair, grey or green eyes	Medium risk of burning. Capable of building up a moderate tan

4	Light brown Dark brown hair and eyes	Burning is rare; tanning is rapid and deep See additional note below

5	Deep brown skin Dark hair and eyes	Burning is seldom; tanning is rapid and deep. This type of skin has its own natural protection. See additional note below

6	Very dark skin Black hair and dark eyes	Never burns in natural sunlight. See additional note below

NB: Skin Types 4, 5 and 6: These skin types need to exercise precaution on initial exposure. Initial exposure should also be moderate. This particularly applies if living in the UK and Ireland as natural skin protection factor is depleted through lack of regular exposure to sunshine.