It is mind-boggling that even with the numerous articles written on why black people should wear sunscreen, a high percentage of the black community still is unaware. There is a huge misconception or myth that black skin cannot be affected by the sun. This is overstated! When a black person is exposed to the sun (ultraviolet rays), your body makes more melanin for protection from some of the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. However, it isn’t enough to keep you safe from the same damage UV rays would cause to non-black skin.
Some of the damages from exposure to UV rays may include;
- Skin cancers: Although skin cancer (for example melanoma) is less prevalent in the blacks than in whites, studies show that when it occurs in black people it’s usually diagnosed at a later stage with a worse prognosis and tends to succumb at a higher rate than in white people with similar diagnosis. Sunscreen appears to be effective in preventing melanoma.
- Photoaging: Characteristic changes to skin induced by chronic UVA and UVB exposure. These Changes can include fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and collagen damage. UV radiation accelerates skin aging and this is where the value of using sunscreen comes in.
- Melasma and other hyperpigmentation disorders: Melasma can be acquired through stimulation of…
