Table 1.
Classification of skin types/skin color types and burns/tans in the skin after sun exposure.
| S.No | Exposure category | UVI range | Skin Type classification | Burns/Tans after sun exposure | Diseases due to inadequate UVR exposure/vitamin D levels in body | Diseases due to excessive UVR exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Low | <2 | VI • Naturally black skin • High Eumelanin and low Phaeomelanin • Melano- protected |
• No • No |
Cancers:
• Prostate • Breast cancer • Colorectal cancer • Ovary cancer • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma Autoimmune diseases: • Multiple sclerosis • Type 1 diabetes • Rheumatoid arthritis Psychiatric disorders: • Seasonal affective disorder • Mood disorders • Schizophrenia • Insufficient vitamin D levels • Rickets • Osteomalacia • Osteoporosis |
Effects on the skin
Acute • Sunburn • Photodermatoses Chronic • Cutaneous malignant melanoma • Cancer of the lip • Basal cell carcinoma • Squamous cell carcinoma • Chronic sun damage/solar keratoses Effects on the Eyes Acute • Acute photokeratitis and conjunctivitis • Acute solar retinopathy Chronic • Climatic droplet keratopathy • Pterygium • Pinguecula • Squamous cell carcinoma of the cornea • conjunctiva • Cataract • Ocular melanoma • Macular degeneration Other effects • Suppression of cell-mediated immunity • Increased susceptibility to infection • Impairment of prophylactic immunization Indirect effects • Effect on climate, food supply, disease vectors, atmospheric chemistry |
| 02 | Moderate | 2-5 | V • Naturally brown skin • High Eumelanin and low Phaeomelanin) • Melano- protected |
• Negligible • Negligible |
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| 03 | High | 6-7 | IV • Light skin • High phaeomelanin and low eumelanin • Melano- competent |
• Sometimes seldom • Always usually |
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| 04 | Very High | 8-10 | III • Light skin and Freckles • High phaeomelanin and low eumelanin) • Melano- competent |
• Sometimes seldom • Always usually |
||
| 05 | Extreme | 11+ | II I • Pale • None or very little eumelanin or phaeomelanin (albinism) • Melano-compromised |
• Always usually • Sometimes seldom |
UV radiation exposure categories, UV index range and diseases due to inadequate/excessive exposure to UVR.