In the Fitzpatrick scale, which type is characterized by very high risk of hyper/hypopigmentation?

The Fitzpatrick scale is a classification system that categorizes skin types based on their response to UV light exposure, particularly focusing on pigmentation and the tendency to tan or burn. Type VI is described as the darkest skin type, which typically has a very high concentration of melanin.

Individuals with Type VI skin are indeed at a very high risk of hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation, particularly after trauma or inflammation. This is due to the greater sensitivity of darker skin tones to processes such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, where dark spots can appear following skin injuries or inflammatory conditions. Conversely, hypopigmentation can occur when the skin loses pigment, often as a result of conditions that affect the skin's ability to produce melanin, which can also be more noticeable in these skin types.

In contrast, Type I and Type II skin types (commonly associated with very fair skin) face other risks, such as sunburn and skin cancer, but they do not experience the same level of risk for pigmentary changes that darker skin types do. Type IV's risk profile is different as well, as it involves a balance of attributes between the lighter and darker skin categories. Hence, Type VI stands out for its significant susceptibility to both forms of pigmentation