There’s no shortage of information out there about how to care for your skin. However, not all skin care advice applies to every skin tone. Those of us with skin of color have unique needs and concerns, but often have to wade through myths and misinformation in the search for answers—so we turned to an expert. In this edition of our Doctor’s Office series, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nina Desai addresses those very myths, and offers tips to prevent wrinkles and skin cancer, which—spoiler alert—do, in fact, affect skin of color, too.
The Big 3 Myths—Sun, Wrinkles and Lasers/Peels
How many times have you heard that individuals with skin of color do not need to wear sunscreen or are safe from skin cancer? If you’ve heard it once, it’s one time too often. This is a myth that is perpetuated primarily because people with darker skin tones generally experience skin cancer far less than the fair-skinned population and have more natural protection from the sun’s damaging UV rays because of the melanin, or natural pigment, in the skin.
However, skin of color can—and does—develop skin cancer if the skin is not effectively protected from exposure to UV light, which can damage DNA in skin cells and lead to not just cancer, but also pigmentary issues and signs of premature aging. Using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher on a daily basis, with reapplication throughout the day, is the best first line of defense for all skin types.
And what about the old wives’ tale that skin of color doesn’t get wrinkles? Unfortunately, it’s not true. However, those with more melanin may be slower to show signs of aging, though we develop fine lines, wrinkles and sun spots with time. A good anti-aging regimen consisting of sunscreen, antioxidants like vitamin C and a collagen-boosting product, such as a retinol, is crucial. Read more
