You should wear sunscreen even if you have darker skin. Here’s why

By ADITHI RAMAKRISHNAN Associated Press NEW YORK People with darker skin still need to wear sunscreen for more reasons than one Too much ultraviolet exposure from the sun can lead to sunburn dark spots and wrinkles and increased vulnerability of skin cancer Related Articles RFK Jr says Covid- shot will no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women For kids with autism swim classes can be lifesaving Markers in blood and urine may reveal how much ultraprocessed food we are eating San Francisco Bay fish are contaminated with levels of forever chemicals that could harm anglers Only of sunscreens on store shelves are safe and effective new account says The melanin in darker skin offers a few extra protection from the sun but dermatologists say that isn t enough on its own Everyone demands sunscreen But the reasons that one might be reaching for sunscreen may differ depending on your skin tone revealed Dr Jenna Lester who founded the Skin of Color Clinic at the University of California San Francisco Do darker-skinned people need sunscreen White people are overall more likely to get skin cancer compared to Black and Hispanic people But Black and Hispanic people are less likely to survive the largest part dangerous kind of skin cancer called melanoma according to the American Cancer Society Black patients more commonly get melanoma on their hands and feet places that are more shielded from the sun Still sunscreen is an additional protective layer that helps prevent a host of other problems including sunburns hyperpigmentation after acne rosacea and dark patches on the face Dr Oyetewa Asempa at Baylor College of Medicine often reminds her darker-skinned patients All of the problems that you re coming to see me for are caused or worsened by the sun How much sunscreen do people of color need To stay safe in the sun it s essential to grab sunscreen with a sun protection factor or SPF of at least and reapply every two hours People headed for the pool or beach should put on sunscreen beforehand remembering to reapply liberally and after getting out of the water The majority people don t wear enough sunscreen when they apply Lester reported Make sure to put two long fingers worth on the face and a hefty blob for the body Look for chemical-based sunscreens to avoid ashy white cast Two key ingredients in mineral-based products zinc oxide and titanium oxide are the culprits for that pesky discoloration on dark skin Tinted sunscreens contain pigments that block visible light from the sun offering additional protection against dark spots And wearing a hat or sun-protective clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor or UPF grading can provide an extra safety boost Whatever the sun protection routine it s fundamental to keep it up Lester declared Particular UV rays can climb right through car and house windows to cause sun damage even when indoors making it even more crucial to take care of the skin while the sun shines It s about trying to make it a daily habit she announced Consistency over intensity The Associated Press Healthcare and Science Department receives backing from the Howard Hughes Health Institute s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation The AP is solely responsible for all content