Should People of Color Wear Sunscreen When Outside?

Being aware of daily scorching temperatures is important especially since the summer season officially began last week on June 20. With soaring temperatures and uncomfortable conditions, it is crucial that you prepare yourselves. Preparation is the key when outside enjoying the summer sun. Last week we reviewed the different types of Ultraviolet Radiation Rays (UVR), possible dangerous effects and how one should protect themselves. This article will be an extension of the original conversation, but with a twist. This week we will discuss the impact UVR has or doesn’t have on the skin of people with melanin (color). Melanin CAN NOT absorb all the UVR, and some people do not have much melanin in their skin. (Adobe Stock) In most cases, UVR reacts with a chemical in the skin called melanin. This is the first defense against the sun. Melanin absorbs the dangerous UV rays that can do serious skin damage. But melanin CAN NOT absorb all the UVR, and some people do not have much melanin in their skin. The three major harmful effects of too much UVR exposure are: • Sunburn: a sunburn occurs when the amount of UVR exceeds the protection that the skin’s melanin can provide...