A recently published survey conducted among 141 dermatologists and trainees reported that 31% of respondents mentioned that they used the Fitzpatrick Skin Typing System to describe the patients race or ethnicity. In contrast, 47% used it to describe the patients constitutive skin color, and 22% used it in both scenarios.

The Fitzpatrick Skin Typing (FST) system was initially developed to establish a minimal erythema dose or chances to burn for patients receiving phototherapy. However, off-late, there have been reports of inconsistent correlations between self-reported Fitzpatrick Skin Type and burn risk, and between self-reported FST and physician-reported FST.

There isan infinite number of skin colors that are also affected by geographic and cultural factors. Hence, there is a need to establish a new consensus on skin typing,which is clear, concise, objective, practical, and universally accepted.