Utah Master Esthetician Practice Exam

Higher levels of Fitzpatrick skin types are generally less sensitive to which of the following?

1. Radiation

2. Environmental harm

3. Cold temperatures

4. Allergic reactions

The correct answer is: Environmental harm

Individuals with higher levels of Fitzpatrick skin types, which include skin types IV to VI, generally have more melanin in their skin. This increased melanin provides additional protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which helps reduce sensitivity to environmental harm such as sun exposure and UV radiation. Because melanin absorbs and dissipates UV radiation, higher Fitzpatrick skin types are often less affected by the damaging effects of the sun, making them somewhat more resilient to certain environmental hazards compared to lower Fitzpatrick skin types. On the other hand, sensitivity to radiation, cold temperatures, and allergic reactions might not correlate directly with Fitzpatrick levels. For example, individuals with lighter skin may have heightened sensitivity to radiation and environmental changes, while allergic reactions are generally influenced by individual immune responses rather than skin type alone.