Development and Validation of an Accurate and Precise Skin Color Scale

Authors

Henry Lim, HCA HealthcareFollow
Christina Guo, UNTHSC
Reem Ayoub, UNTHSC
Rafael do Valle, UNTHSC
Kristina Kafle, UNTHSC
Ysabelle Martinez, UNTHSC
Dana Olsen, UNTHSC
Marshall Hall, HCA HealthcareFollow
Christian Scheufele, HCA HealthcareFollow
Michael Carletti, UNTHSC
Stephen Weis, UNTHSCFollow

Files

Division

North Texas

Hospital

Medical City Fort Worth

Specialty

Dermatology

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

2025

Keywords

fitzpatrick skin type, FST, skin color scale, skin pigmentation

Disciplines

Dermatology | Medicine and Health Sciences | Quality Improvement | Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Abstract

Introduction: Utilization of the Fitzpatrick scale to describe skin color does not adequately account for variations in pigmentation that are reflective of skin color characteristics of persons from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. This study aims to create a better way to describe skin color. Methods: We developed an 11-point color scale. This Skin Color Scale (SCS) was reproduced onto a physical card that could be placed onto a research participant’s inner arms for independent scale interpretation. Participants and two investigators selected the best matching scale interpretation value for each arm. Self-acquired and investigator assessed Fitzpatrick scores were taken. These readings were compared to objective measurements by two separate spectrophotometers. Results: SCS rating between participant vs. Investigators #1 and #2 showed significant positive correlation on the right arm (n=440, t=47.73, 39.335, p= < 2e-16) and the left arm (n=440, t= 43.427, 39.695, p= < 2e-16). Participants SCS rating using colorimeter #1 and #2 showed a significant inverse relationship with Melanin Index (MI) (t= -25.93, -21.59; p= < 2e-16). As well participants SCS rating showed a significant positive correlation with Luminosity values for colorimeter #1 and colorimeter #2 (t=30.27, 28.219; p=

Original Publisher

HCA Healthcare Graduate Medical Education

Recommended Citation

Lim, Henry; Guo, Christina; Ayoub, Reem; do Valle, Rafael; Kafle, Kristina; Martinez, Ysabelle; Olsen, Dana; Hall, Marshall; Scheufele, Christian; Carletti, Michael; and Weis, Stephen, "Development and Validation of an Accurate and Precise Skin Color Scale" (2025). North Texas Research Forum 2025. 111.
https://scholarlycommons.hcahealthcare.com/northtexas2025/111