The importance of sun protection should never be underestimated, no matter your skin tone. However, it's crucial to recognize that skin needs vary from person to person, especially for dark skin.
What are the risks of sun exposure without sunscreen?
While the sun may seem lovely, unprotected exposure can have severe consequences , especially for dark skin.
Sun exposure without sunscreen is not safe. It can lead to many skin problems , including:
- Sunburn : Sunburn is a skin burn caused by excessive exposure to UV rays. It can be painful and can cause redness, swelling, and blisters.
- Premature skin aging: The sun can damage the skin's collagen and elastin, which can lead to wrinkles , fine lines, and loss of elasticity.
- Pigment spots : The sun can also cause pigment spots, also called hyperpigmentation .
- Skin Cancer: Excessive sun exposure is a major risk factor for skin cancer.
How to choose the right sunscreen for black skin?
Choosing your sunscreen is no easy task! There are several criteria to consider. First of all, it's important to know your skin type .
Phototype is a classification that evaluates the skin's reaction to sun exposure based on various criteria such as skin color, propensity to sunburn, etc. There are different phototypes classified from 0 to 5, 0 for skin that burns easily and 5 for resistant skin that hardly burns.
There are several factors to consider when choosing a sunscreen for black skin, here are the most important ones:
- Sun protection factor (SPF) : There are four levels of sun protection: 6 to 15 for low protection, 15 to 25 for medium protection, 30 to 50 for high protection and 50+ for very high protection.
It's important to choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even for dark skin. SPF 30 blocks 97% of the sun's harmful UVB rays .
- Texture : Sunscreens for black skin can be oily or thin. Oily creams are more moisturizing, but may leave a film or white cast on the skin. Thin creams are lighter and absorb more easily.
Why wear sunscreen every day?
The sun's UV rays are present all year round, even on cloudy days. Applying sunscreen daily ensures constant protection against UVA and UVB rays , which contribute to premature skin aging and sunburn, respectively.
Sunscreen is essential for black, tanned, and mixed-race skin in any season. Due to their high melanin levels, these skin types are more prone to hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is a skin disorder that causes dark spots to appear. Sunscreen will protect the skin and reduce existing pigmentation spots for radiant, beautiful skin.
Some advice before sun exposure
Avoid direct exposure during the hours when the sun is at its strongest, usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Instead, opt for morning or afternoon periods to minimize the risk of excessive exposure.
Before going out, be sure to apply a generous amount of sunscreen to all exposed areas of your skin, including your face.
Wear sunglasses and a hat for even more protection and let's go for a day at the beach!
