Should Black Women Wear Sunscreen?
Disclaimer: The article is for informational purposes only and was not medically reviewed. It should not substitute professional medical advice.
As summer winds down and we transition to fall, you may be wondering why I’m writing an article about sunscreen for Black women. Well for many years, there has been a general assumption that people with darker skin don’t need to wear sunscreen and that sunscreen only needs to be worn in the summer. I went most of my life not really wearing sunscreen except for during the summer and like most Black women I didn’t like wearing it because of the white cast it produced on my skin. It wasn’t until I lived in Brazil for a month and got sunburnt to the point that I looked almost purple that I started taking wearing sunscreen more seriously.
A few years later, I started watching Jackie Aina on YouTube where she consistently urges Black women to wear sunscreen under their makeup. So I started to incorporate it into my skincare routine on a daily basis and took for granted that there was conclusive evidence to support the need for Black women to wear sunscreen year-round. With the launch of Fenty Skin and the SPF Hydra Vizor moisturizer, the importance of wearable sunscreen for darker skin is even more so at the forefront. However, in prepping to write this article, I actually found some conflicting information about the need for Black people to wear sunscreen and wanted to break down some key questions and the answers I found along the way:
1: Is melanin natural sun protection?
To a degree but it’s not as strong as needed to guarantee true protection. In an article by Healthline, a doctor highlighted that "patients with darker skin tones have a natural SPF of 13 — but ...it is a lot less than the daily use of a SPF 30 or higher that dermatologists recommend for sun protection"
2: Should Black people wear sunscreen?
Yes. It doesn’t necessarily clearly correlate with reducing our risk for skin cancer but it can address other issues such as discoloration or hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, and acne as noted by Dr. Jenna Lester in conversation with Super Goop. Your Black can crack if it’s sun-damaged and Black people can also experience sunburn even though we’re less likely to according to the Fitzpatrick scale.
3: Should Black People wear sunscreen throughout the year?
Although we generally think that we only need to wear sunscreen outdoors and during summer, it’s actually important to wear it while indoors as well. A dermatologist told Allure that "standard glass windows block UVB but not UVA rays, which can penetrate deeper into the skin than UVB [rays], [and] are the main contributing factor to photo-aging — which are changes seen as dark spots, wrinkles, and leathery textured skin.” In terms of winter, the Skin Cancer Foundation shares that although harmful UVB rays are predominant in the summer, they are still present in the winter particularly in higher altitudes and when reflecting off of snow or ice.
4: Are chemical sunscreens safe?
The short answer is yes but they could be proven unsafe in the future.
In an article by the New York Times, a researcher shared a study they conducted in which they found that "women who used more sunscreen that contained benzophenone or oxybenzone, two estrogenic compounds, had higher levels of the chemicals in their urine, and had higher rates of endometriosis.” Despite their research and similar reports, according to the HuffPost ", the FDA has not determined these chemicals to be unsafe and the agency still stresses the importance of wearing sunscreen in order to prevent other deadly diseases.”
5: Does sun exposure cause skin cancer in Black people?
In short, the answer is unclear. Although exposure to the sun is often linked with skin cancer in people with lighter skin tones, according to a doctor who was interviewed in the same New York Times article, darker-skinned people tend to develop skin cancer in areas like the soles of the feet or palms of the hands. He told the publication "the fact that dark-skinned people are most likely to get skin cancer on the areas of the body that are least likely to be exposed to sunlight suggests that this cancer is unrelated to sun exposure.”
6: Should Black people be concerned about getting skin cancer?
Yes, skin cancer in Black people can be deadly because it’s found later. For example, a Healthline article highlighted that Black people “are four times more likely to be diagnosed with advanced-stage melanoma and tend to succumb at a rate of 1.5 times more than white people with a similar diagnosis.”
7: Why is there a lack of information on treating darker skin?
Like most conditions, skin conditions are under-researched and underfunded in dermatology when it comes to darker-skinned people and understanding their unique skin concerns.
A Healthline article found a study in which “47 percent of dermatologists and dermatology residents admitted that they weren’t properly trained on skin conditions in Black people.” Despite the current lack of research, the article also highlighted that efforts are being made to address this gap by dermatology organizations like the Skin of Color Society.
Although there is some conflicting information out there, in short, Black women should wear sunscreen and be mindful of possible signs of skin cancer. If you’re looking for a sunscreen that compliments your skin tone, check out this article by Allure or check out the wellness repository to learn more about Black Girl Sunscreen.
Sources:
The Sunscreen Gap: Do Black People Need Sunscreen?
Should Black People Wear Sunscreen?
The Truth About Darker Skin Tones and Sunscreen, According to an African American Dermatologist
Here’s Why You Still Need to Wear Sunscreen Indoors, According to Dermatologists
Yes, Black People Do Need To Wear Sunscreen
Winter Sun Safety: What to Know About Protecting Yourself During Colder Months
The Skin Cancer Foundation Shares Tips on Staying Sun Safe Year-Round