Why sunscreen for black and brown-skinned people is vital, and which formulas work best
- It is a common fallacy that dark-skinned people don’t tan or sunburn, and don’t need sunscreen; dermatologists recommend SPF factor 30 lotions for darker skins
- Skin doctors say sunscreen not only protects the skin but has anti-ageing properties and helps with dark spots and skin discolouration known as melasma
It’s a common belief among black and brown community members: they don’t need to wear sunscreen and they don’t get sunburned.
Dr Mona Gohara, a dermatologist at Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut in the United States and associate clinical professor at Yale University’s School of Medicine, says the beliefs go back to the “old school mentality” that sunscreen just protects against sunburn and skin cancer, and that black and brown people can’t burn, tan or get skin cancer.
“None of those are true,” she says. “We can burn. We can tan, and we can get skin cancer.” She and other dermatologists are encouraging those with darker complexions to make wearing sunscreen routine.
Sunscreen also protects against visible or blue light, Gohara says. Such light comes from devices like computer screens, mobile phones and light bulbs.