2023-07-18 09:44:42
The melanin, this pigment responsible for our skin, hair and hair color, offers dark skin a certain protection once morest the harmful rays of the sun, the famous UVA and UVB rays. That said, this protection remains imperfect, which is why to havematte or black skin should not lead to skipping sun protection (sunscreen, t-shirt, hat, glasses, parasol…).
“Those with medium to dark skin usually develop fewer precancerous growths and have later wrinkles from sun damage. However, in these populations, sun damage may present as uneven skin tone or dark spots.”, detailed Dr. Caroline Opene, dermatologist and director of the Health Skin of Color clinic at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), with our colleagues from MedicalXpress (Source 1). To avoid these hyperpigmentationsthe dermatologist recommends darker skin to opt for broad-spectrum sunscreenprotecting both UVA, UVB, infrared rays and visible light.
Palms, feet: beware of so-called “hidden” areas
“In general, lighter-skinned people who sunburn easily are most at risk for skin cancer, as are those with a family history. That said, I have diagnosed quite a few skin cancers on the face or hands of Asians, Latinos or Africans. [Notamment] American patients who have worked outdoors for many years”, underlined Dr. Opene. And the specialist adds that “people of color can also develop skin cancer in so-called ‘hidden’ areas, such as the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet”she wanted to clarify.
In this sense, all skin types have an interest, on the one hand in protecting themselves from the sun, in particular through the regular application of a cream with a minimum index of 30, on the other hand inspect your skin regularly, her moles and other visible spots. At the slightest change or doubt, it is better to consult, because the earlier it is taken care of, the better the chances of overcoming skin cancer.
For the choice of sunscreen, the dermatologist rightly points out that the best formula will be the one that we will wear regularly. For dark skin, she recommends sunscreens instead. hybrids, i.e. containing both chemical and mineral filters, to limit unsightly white marks on the skin. Still, whatever our skin color, the best protection once morest the sun remains… shade! We therefore avoid exposing ourselves to the hours when the sunshine is maximum, in other words between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. Long live the siesta in the cool!
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