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Skin Type VI (Deeply pigmented)
Deeply pigmented dark brown to black skin. Never burns.
General sun-safety information, not medical advice. Burn times vary enormously with skin, the UV index, altitude, reflection off snow or water, and some medicines — when in doubt, cover up. Any new, changing or unusual mole or spot should be checked by a doctor.
How this skin reacts to the sun
Deeply pigmented dark brown to black skin. Never burns. Remember that burn time is not fixed — it rises and falls with the UV index, altitude and reflection off snow, water or sand, so the same skin can be fine one day and burnt the next.
Protecting your skin
Burning is very unlikely, and your skin has strong natural UV protection. Sun care is more about comfort, eye protection and not neglecting skin checks than about burn prevention.
What it means for vitamin D
Your skin needs much longer sun exposure to make vitamin D, so at high latitudes — with weak winter sun on top — low vitamin D is common. This is the group for whom diet and supplements matter most in winter. At high latitudes the winter sun is too weak for anyone to make vitamin D from it, so diet and supplements bridge the gap regardless of skin type.
Other skin types
Type I — Very fair
Always burns, never tans.
Type II — Fair
Burns easily, tans minimally and poorly.
Type III — Light to medium
Sometimes burns mildly, tans gradually to a light brown.
Type IV — Olive / moderate brown
Rarely burns, tans easily and well.
Type V — Brown
Very rarely burns.
Source: WHO Global Solar UV Index and general dermatology guidance on the Fitzpatrick scale. This is general information, not medical advice. · checked 2026-09-04
Frequently asked questions
Does skin type VI burn?
Never burns. Deeply pigmented dark brown to black skin.
How much sun protection do I need?
Burning is very unlikely, and your skin has strong natural UV protection. Sun care is more about comfort, eye protection and not neglecting skin checks than about burn prevention.
What about vitamin D?
Your skin needs much longer sun exposure to make vitamin D, so at high latitudes — with weak winter sun on top — low vitamin D is common. This is the group for whom diet and supplements matter most in winter.
Keep vitamin D up year round
TempoLife's food database shows the vitamin D in what you eat, so winter does not catch you short.