Dark Skin: Protected or not from the sun? | Environ Skin Care (2024)

FAQs

Dark Skin: Protected or not from the sun? | Environ Skin Care? ›

Increased melanin in skin does not mean that darker skin is totally protected from UVA. UVA can cause significant damage to the skin by creating free radicals, which is why it is so important to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with additional antioxidants – these are free radical scavengers.

Dark skin, which contains more eumelanin than fair skin is better protected against UV-induced damage, and eumelanin is thought to be superior to pheomelanin in its photoprotective properties.

Darker skin tones (Types 4 to 6) possess higher melanin content, providing natural sun protection equivalent to approximately SPF 13.4 (Type 5) to SPF 17.5 (Type 6).

Sensitive Skin

This is supported by research which shows that darker skin contains more components associated with allergic reactions. As a result, people of color are more likely to have reactions to skincare products, especially those with perfumes, artificial dyes and other chemicals.

Everyone, including those with darker skin, needs to wear sunscreen every day. Putting on broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays can help decrease your risk of skin cancer. Sunscreen also helps prevent hyperpigmentation and premature skin aging, including wrinkles, sagging and age spots. Dr.

Williams recommends people of color should use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher for daily use. If you're going to be outside for prolonged periods of time, go for one with a higher SPF (greater than 50). Dr. Williams also highly recommends mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in them.

It depends on your skin tone, age, health history, diet, and where you live. In general, scientists think 5 to 15 minutes -- up to 30 if you're dark-skinned -- is about right to get the most out of it without causing any health problems. You can stay out longer and get the same effect if you use sunscreen.

Resistant but not immune, black skin benefits most from a sunscreen with an SPF between 15 and 30 as a sure way to prevent skin cancer, sunburning, and hyperpigmentation.

Moisturising melanin-rich skin

Research shows melanin-rich skin contains lower levels of ceramides; hence it can be more prone to dryness and can take on an ashen appearance when not amply hydrated (3). When skin lacks the natural substances it needs, skincare can help bridge that gap by replenishing those substances.

Does black skin have more collagen? ›

The dermis of black skin contains many more fiber fragments composed of collagen fibrils and glycoproteins. Fibroblasts are more numerous, larger, have more biosynthetic organelles than white skin, and are often binucleated and multinucleated.

Melanin helps block out damaging UV rays up to a point, which is why people with naturally darker skin are less likely to get sunburned, while people with lighter skin are more likely to burn. Sunburns can increase your risk of skin cancer, including melanoma.

Starting a skincare routine as a black person involves the same basic steps as for anyone else: cleanse, exfoliate, treat, moisturize, and protect. However, it's important to use products that are suitable for your skin type and that don't contain ingredients that could harm your skin or cause lightening.

Melanin helps block out damaging UV rays up to a point, which is why people with naturally darker skin are less likely to get sunburned, while people with lighter skin are more likely to burn.

If you have fair skin, light-coloured eyes or red or light hair, unfortunately you are more likely to have skin that is sensitive to the sun's ultraviolet rays[1] than someone with deeper coloured skin.

Dark-pigmented people living in high sunlight environments are at an advantage due to the high amounts of melanin produced in their skin. The dark pigmentation protects from DNA damage and absorbs the right amounts of UV radiation needed by the body, as well as protects against folate depletion.

Dark or bright colors

Darker colors, such as blue or black, absorb more UV rays than lighter shades like whites and pastels. This means the UV rays are less likely to reach your skin. But bright colors, like red, can also absorb UV rays.