Its important to know your skin type since many times it can define what type of skin care to use or what type of treatments can be applied to your skin.

The amount of melanin pigment in the skin gives an individual skin color. Skin pigment is typically inherited genetically but hormonal changes such as that during pregnancy can also vary the amount of pigmentation.

The Fitzpatrick Scale is used to classify skin complexion and response to UV exposure. This classification is based on a personal history of sun burning and sun tanning. This classification is used clinically for evaluation of facial skin pigmentation before such things as resurfacing procedures and is important for predicting outcomes and adverse effects.