Forget what you’ve heard – Black people DO need to wear sunscreen! Here are the top three lies we keep hearing about our people and sun exposure.
Lie #1: Black Don’t Crack
Dark skin has more productive “melanocytes” than lighter skin – leading some scientists to believe that darker skin absorbs 50% to 70% less of the sun’s harmful UV rays. That means our melanin can help delay visible signs of aging, but it’s not ENTIRELY anti-aging, and our skin DOES need protection from the sun.
Lie #2: We Can’t Get Skin Cancer
Due to medical racism, Black people are often left out of clinical trials measuring sun exposure and skin cancer. That doesn’t mean we’re exempt, though! And because there’s not much data, it’s more deadly if we DO develop skin cancer and often goes undiagnosed for longer.
Lie #3: Ashiness
Mainstream sunscreens often leave darker skin with a white cast. But thankfully, our people came through, and there are companies like Black Girl Sunscreen and Bolden Sunscreen that have been designed with Black skin in mind – and don’t leave ashy shadows.
Despite the beautiful benefits of having melanin, we aren’t exempt from the potential dangers of sun exposure. We must dispel these myths in our communities and share this knowledge with those we love to save our beautiful Black skin!