People with darker skin still need to wear sunscreen \u2014 for more reasons than one.
\nToo much ultraviolet exposure from the sun can lead to sunburn, dark spots and wrinkles, and increased risk of skin cancer.
\nThe melanin in darker skin offers some extra protection from the sun, but dermatologists say that isn\u2019t enough on its own.
\n"Everyone needs sunscreen. But the reasons that one might be reaching for sunscreen may differ depending on your skin tone,\u201d said Dr. Jenna Lester, who founded the Skin of Color Clinic at the University of California, San Francisco.<\/p>\n
White people are overall more likely to get skin cancer compared to Black and Hispanic people. But Black and Hispanic people are less likely to survive the most dangerous kind of skin cancer called melanoma, according to the American Cancer Society.
\nBlack patients more commonly get melanoma on their hands and feet \u2014 places that are more shielded from the sun. Still, sunscreen is an additional protective layer that helps prevent a host of other problems including sunburns, hyperpigmentation after acne, rosacea and dark patches on the face.
\nDr. Oyetewa Asempa at Baylor College of Medicine often reminds her darker-skinned patients: \u201cAll of the problems that you\u2019re coming to see me for are caused or worsened by the sun.\u201d
\nMineral-based sunscreens mechanically block UVA\/UVB rays, while chemical sunscreens absorb rays and turn them into heat.<\/p>\n
To stay safe in the sun, it’s essential to grab sunscreen with a sun protection factor or SPF of at least 30 and reapply every two hours. People headed for the pool or beach should put on sunscreen beforehand, remembering to reapply liberally and after getting out of the water.
\nMost people don\u2019t wear enough sunscreen when they apply, Lester said. Make sure to put two long fingers\u2019 worth on the face and a hefty blob for the body.
\nLook for chemical-based sunscreens to avoid ashy white cast. Two key ingredients in mineral-based products \u2014 zinc oxide and titanium oxide \u2014 are the culprits for that pesky discoloration on dark skin.
\nTinted sunscreens contain pigments that block visible light from the sun, offering additional protection against dark spots. And wearing a hat or sun-protective clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor or UPF grading can provide an extra safety boost.
\nWhatever the sun protection routine, it’s crucial to keep it up, Lester said. Some UV rays can climb right through car and house windows to cause sun damage even when indoors, making it even more important to take care of the skin while the sun shines.
\n\u201cIt’s about trying to make it a daily habit,\u201d she said. \u201cConsistency over intensity.\u201d<\/p>\n
In conclusion, people with darker skin need to wear sunscreen to protect themselves from the harmful effects of the sun. While melanin provides some protection, it’s not enough to prevent sunburn, dark spots, and skin cancer. By choosing the right sunscreen and applying it correctly, individuals with darker skin can enjoy the sun while keeping their skin safe.<\/p>\n
Q: Do people with darker skin need to wear sunscreen?
\nA: Yes, people with darker skin still need to wear sunscreen to protect themselves from the sun’s harmful effects.
\nQ: What type of sunscreen is best for darker skin?
\nA: Chemical-based sunscreens are a good option for darker skin, as they absorb rays and turn them into heat, avoiding the ashy white cast associated with mineral-based products.
\nQ: How often should I reapply sunscreen?
\nA: Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating.
\nQ: Can I get sun damage through windows?
\nA: Yes, some UV rays can pass through car and house windows, causing sun damage even when indoors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Introduction to Sunscreen for Darker Skin People with darker skin still need to wear sunscreen \u2014 for more reasons than one. Too much ultraviolet exposure from the sun can lead to sunburn, dark spots and wrinkles, and increased risk of skin cancer. The melanin in darker skin offers some extra protection from the sun, but […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":21242,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-21241","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/media.nbcchicago.com\/2025\/05\/AP25142631653959.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&crop=0px%2C45px%2C2580px%2C1452px&resize=1200%2C675&w=1200&resize=1200,675&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21241"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21241"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21243,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21241\/revisions\/21243"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21242"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21241"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}