I’ve heard it countless times from friends and family members, “Black people don’t need sunscreen! We can’t get sunburned.” I’m not sure where or when this myth started but it is just that, a myth!
The truth is, there are many damaging effects of prolonged sun exposure outside of being burned, and black people are not immune to any of them.
Thanks to the melanin in our skin, which gives us our deeper skin color, we have an added barrier of protection from harmful UV rays. But even with this, we need to take precautions just like anyone else when we step outside. Protection from the sun is especially important if you are planning to be exposed for long periods of time.
SPF, which actually stands for Sun Protection Factor works by blocking the sun’s UVB rays from entering the skin. The longer you plan to be exposed to the sun, the higher the SPF number needs to be. Generally, experts recommend using SPF 30 to 50. These should protect your skin adequately for a few hours. So if you’re planning to be in the sun for an extended period of time, think water parks, beach outings or the zoo, make sure you use sun screen with SPF 30 or higher.
In order for your skin to be fully protected you need to know how to apply and use SPF properly. Usually, SPF comes with instructions right on the bottle but here are a few guidelines for you. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, sunscreen should be applied generously before going outdoors. You can apply it along with moisturizer to make sure you skin is fully taken care of. Don’t forget your face, neck and lips! UV rays can cause your skin to wrinkle and age prematurely, so keep your black from cracking and add some SPF to your morning routine. You should be using a daily moisturizer with SPF 15 on your face all year round, not just during hot girl summer. Make sure this key ingredient is included in your daily skincare routine and lip balm with SPF is a must as well. Finally, don’t forget to reapply. Water from the pool or beach, and sweat cause your sunblock to wear off. If you plan to be outside for say, longer than 2-3 hours, you’ll need to reapply to stay protected. There are many sunscreen brands on the market that are readily available to you. I recommend trying Black Girl Sunscreen. This is a sunscreen created by a black-owned company that has created a moisturizing, non-ashly looking sunscreen just for us. They recently started selling in-stores and online at Target. I really love the way it makes my skin look and feel.
So now that you know better, do better! It’s true that summer will be ending in a few short weeks but the sun shines all year long and you need to protect that brown skin every day.
