SKIN TIPS #3: PIGMENT & PROTECTION

The skin makes a pigment called melanin and it is is our natural protection against the sun. People with lighter skin tones have less pigment so the sunlight travels into the skin, scorching the cells with ultraviolet light. It's a good case for sunscreen.

The Fitzpatrick score - what is it?

In 1975 an American dermatologist, Thomas B. Fitzpatrick ranked skin tones from 1-6 depending on how much melanin pigment there was. The 'Fitzpatrick skin type' ranges from the ivory tones of a 'Fitzpatrick one' to the richly pigmented the ebony tones of a 'Fitzpatrick six'.

The lower the Fitzpatrick score, the higher the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers. Believe it or not, even though its rarer, even Fitzpatrick six skin can develop a melanoma.

What's your Fitzpatrick type?

• One: always burns doesn't tan

• Two: burns often, rarely tans

• Three: tans after initial burn

• Four: tans easily hardly burns

• Five: almost never burns, and always tans

• Six : never burns, and always tans darkly

Rules of thumb

If your Fitzpatrick type is between 1 and 4 try to avoid the sun between 10am and 4pm. When you can't avoid the sun cover up and use a high SPF broad spectrum sunscreen, Chapstick to protect the lips and remember your sunglasses to protect against cataracts.

Reapply sunscreen often

If you are exercising or working outdoors it's a good idea to reapply sunscreen before you start you day and reapply at smokos and lunch break.