HEALTH // Skincare
Black Folks Need Sunscreen Too!
by Sydney Ambrus - 06.26.2023
photo by Kev Moye
Wednesday, June 21, marked the official start of summer! As temperatures rise and the sun starts to shine, one of the biggest misconceptions I’ve seen online and heard growing up is that black people do not need sun protection. Some believe that higher amounts of melanin protect the skin from the sun. While that may be partially true, our melanin doesn’t provide all the sun protection we need. Melanin is said to have an SPF of 4, which isn’t nearly enough to protect and keep our skin safe. And the sun does not discriminate! It doesn’t matter if you’re Black, White, Asian, etc. The beautiful warm sun that we know and love can cause some harmful effects on any skin color. Just because people of color may not easily see the visible effects of sun damage to their skin does not mean it’s not affecting us.
No matter what you’re doing this summer, if you’re outside, you need to be wearing some type of sunscreen, and here’s why!
Skin Cancer
Anyone with skin can get skin cancer, and you don’t have to be sunburned to get it. There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma. Black patients with melanoma have an estimated five-year melanoma survival rate of 70% compared to a 94% survival rate in White patients, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Sun Damage
Sun damage occurs when ultraviolet rays from the sun cause cellular damage to the skin. Sunburn and redness aren’t easily seen on darker skin complexions, but it’s still present. In people of color, sunburn shows up as increased skin sensitivity, tightness, and itchiness.
Premature Aging
Excessive sun exposure can lead to premature aging. Spending lots of time in the sun without protection can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots that make you look older than you are, and we don’t want that!
No matter what you’re doing this summer, if you’re outside, you need to be wearing some type of sunscreen, and here’s why!
Skin Cancer
Anyone with skin can get skin cancer, and you don’t have to be sunburned to get it. There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma. Black patients with melanoma have an estimated five-year melanoma survival rate of 70% compared to a 94% survival rate in White patients, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Sun Damage
Sun damage occurs when ultraviolet rays from the sun cause cellular damage to the skin. Sunburn and redness aren’t easily seen on darker skin complexions, but it’s still present. In people of color, sunburn shows up as increased skin sensitivity, tightness, and itchiness.
Premature Aging
Excessive sun exposure can lead to premature aging. Spending lots of time in the sun without protection can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots that make you look older than you are, and we don’t want that!
By now, you’re probably thinking, sis; you can’t tell us the negative effects of not using sun protection without telling us how or when to use it. I got you!
Sunscreen should be applied 15 minutes before going out in the sun and reapplied every 2 hours. Reapplication isn’t always possible and can seem a bit excessive, but if you’re sweating or inside any type of water, it’s best to touch it up. As sunscreen protects you from the sun and comes in contact with UV rays and water, it starts to break down and isn’t as effective as when you first applied it.
I spoke with Little Rock-based esthetician Nadieha Phanavanh, professionally known as Skyn by Nadieha. Phanavanh has been a licensed esthetician for three years. She shared a few words about sunscreen misconceptions and three sunscreens that she recommends for POC skin!
“It’s important for POC (People of Color) to wear sunscreen because the sun can cause damage to the skin and DNA if not properly protected!
Although it is more common for people with less melanin to experience this, it does not exclude POC. Sunscreen provides further protection from UV rays that can cause a variety of skin cancers. I would say to those who say that sunscreen isn’t necessary, do your research! It is very important to be aware; there are POC who are currently dealing with squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and other forms of skin cancer.
Start now! It’s not too late to start protecting your skin from damage that could be irreversible!”
These are the sunscreens that she recommends:
Sunscreen should be applied 15 minutes before going out in the sun and reapplied every 2 hours. Reapplication isn’t always possible and can seem a bit excessive, but if you’re sweating or inside any type of water, it’s best to touch it up. As sunscreen protects you from the sun and comes in contact with UV rays and water, it starts to break down and isn’t as effective as when you first applied it.
I spoke with Little Rock-based esthetician Nadieha Phanavanh, professionally known as Skyn by Nadieha. Phanavanh has been a licensed esthetician for three years. She shared a few words about sunscreen misconceptions and three sunscreens that she recommends for POC skin!
“It’s important for POC (People of Color) to wear sunscreen because the sun can cause damage to the skin and DNA if not properly protected!
Although it is more common for people with less melanin to experience this, it does not exclude POC. Sunscreen provides further protection from UV rays that can cause a variety of skin cancers. I would say to those who say that sunscreen isn’t necessary, do your research! It is very important to be aware; there are POC who are currently dealing with squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and other forms of skin cancer.
Start now! It’s not too late to start protecting your skin from damage that could be irreversible!”
These are the sunscreens that she recommends:
- LaRoche Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra-Light Face Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50
- Cosmedix Peptide Rich Defense SPF50
- Naturium Dew Glow Moisturizer SPF 50
