![]() Unclear information regarding the conditions affecting skin of color doesn’t stop here though-multiple studies have shown that there is a significant lack of images for certain skin conditions as they manifest in people of color. Skin cancers in this group typically appear on areas of the body that don’t see much sun, so campaigns that advise people with darker skin to wear sunscreen as protection against skin cancer are misleading, Kindred says. Though there is a clear link between UVB radiation (a type of UV radiation given off by the sun) and skin cancer in people with fair skin, this relationship is not as clear-cut in people with skin of color. ![]() ![]() But the relationship between the sun and melanin can’t be wrapped up in one tidy box that fits all groups, and many dermatologists specializing in skin of color are encouraging a more nuanced relationship with sun protection. Reafon Gates / PexelsĪnother misconception is that skin cancer prevention is the main reason everyone, regardless of the color of their skin, should wear sunscreen. Studies show high amounts of melanin in the skin can prevent ultraviolet light from reaching the deepest layers of skin that create vitamin D, but in Kindred’s opinion: “The best source of vitamin D is in foods.” Should people with skin of color wear sunscreen to avoid skin cancer? Black don’t crack? It does though. Chesahna Kindred, associate professor at Howard University department of dermatology in Washington, DC. “There is also a myth that people with darker skin tones should not wear sunscreen because of vitamin D deficiency,” says Dr. (Bassett seems to know this, since she’s said she takes good care of her complexion, avoids the sun, and wears sunscreen every day.) “This baseline SPF is not enough to provide adequate sun protection, which is why individuals of color of all shades still need to practice wearing sunscreen on a regular basis,” she says. Nada Elbuluk, associate professor of clinical dermatology at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, explains it, individuals with medium to dark skin can often have natural protection equivalent to roughly SPF 8-15. Public figures have helped this belief take root-actress Angela Bassett (long revered for her seemingly flawless skin) said Black people have “ natural sunscreen,” which might lead readers to believe her good looks come just from having dark skin.īut this is not the case. The common misconception that people of color don’t have to wear sunscreen comes from the fact that high amounts of melanin, by way of its ability to absorb light, offers some degree of sun protection factor (SPF). But for people with abundant melanin who often hear phrases like “Black don’t crack” or “Black don’t burn,” guidance around whether or not to wear sunscreen can be confusing. Overall recommendations on when and if to use sunscreen seem to be clear: always protect yourself from the sun, especially if you have a lighter skin tone. Darker skins have a head start when it comes to sun protection, but it's not nearly as much as you'd think. ![]()
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