Dr Thomas Fitzpatrick developed a system to evaluate a patients response to ultraviolet exposure in terms of the degree of burning and tanning. The Fitzpatrick skin type system specifies six skin types ranging from type 1, which is skin that never tans and always burns through to type 6 which always tans and never burns.

Typically people with skin type 1 are very pale with red hair or blond hair and originate from Northern Europe. Their skin contains very little melanin which protects us from the sun. Those with lighter skin types are more likely to develop early signs of ageing such as wrinkles and sagging as well as being more likely to develop skin cancers at an early age. Dark skinned people look more youthful for longer however it is a common misconception that they don’t need sun protection nor ever develop skin cancers.

So if you want to look as good as you can, for as long as you can, protect yourself from the sun as much as you can. Using a daily moisturiser with added sun screen is a good start. On days when you are outside skiing or at the beach always remember to reapply sunscreen during the day.