Skin color

Skin colour

Skin colour is probably the most well-known and at the same time, the most overrated anthropometric trait. In many societies it is seen as the most important factor to define race. However, scientifically it is just one of many anthropometric traits that contribute to defining an anthropological type. Caucasoids may show pale skin in Northern Europe and dark brown skin in South India. Negroids may show light brown skin in tropical forest populations and in South Africa, but black skin in dry savannahs. Mongoloids may show fair skin in North-East Asia and dark brown skin in Native American groups of the Sonora and the Andes. Because sun alters skin colour, it is usually measured below the armpits. There have been various attempts to sort different skin colours into categories. The most prominent historical concept is the 35 skin colours defined by Felix von Luschan. Similarly, Paul Broca defined 34 skin colours, Garson-Ried-Denicker 10 to 12. A scale used in modern dermatology is the scale of Thomas B. Fitzpatrick that uses six skin colour types. The types in humanphenotypes are usually grouped into six categories as well, which are illustrated below. The map shows regions where a specific skin colour is common in native populations. On an individual level, different skin colours may regularly appear in the black areas as well.

pale

fair

light brown

medium brown

dark brown

black

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Pale skin: Pale skin roughly corresponds to a Luschan scale of 1-5. It is mainly found in Northern Europeans. Only developed in regions with low solar radiation, because it offers little protection to sunburn. The climate that favours the development of pale skin the most is not the icy polar climate where the snow reflects sunlight during the summer. Instead, cloudy and cool temperate climate like that of the Faroe Islands favours it the most. Some studies indicate a development during the Neolithic in European farmers. In most pale-skinned individuals only a mild tanning can be achieved by exposure to the sun, but the skin easily burns and turns red. The maximum paleness is usually reached during the late winter months. Pale-skinned individuals often show freckles and are red or blonde haired, occasionally brown-black haired. Some historical and modern societies regard pale skin as an ideal, others try to reduce paleness through artificial tanning.

File:Pale Skin Map.png

Fair skin: Fair skin roughly corresponds to a Luschan scale of 6-11. Fair skin is the typical skin tone of most Europeans excluding Mediterraneans. It sporadically occurs in Siberia (e.g. Evens, Negidals), North Africa, as well as parts of Asia and America, e.g. in Fuegians and Pacifids. The protection against solar radiation is relatively weak, and sunburn occurs easily, especially if the skin is untanned and in (sub)tropical regions. Typically developed in temperate climate. Was probably rarer during the Paleolithic and increased in frequency during the Neolithic in European farmers. During the summer months, the skin may reach a brown tone which offers greater protection to solar radiation. Fair-skinned individuals are often brown haired, sometimes blonde or black haired.

File:Fair Skin Map.png