Black People Use Sunscreen!

Warm weather is here and Afro-Americans will be using Vaseline, baby oil, Queen Helen Cocoa Butter, Keri, Black Opal and Ambi skin care products until winter. Very important we don’t get that gray, ashy look to our skin. Much care is given to heels, knees and elbows.  Adults share Johnson and Johnson and Baby Magic with their babies and children. Let’s not forget Palmer's Cocoa Butter. Why don’t more of us use sunscreen?

African-Americans ARE different from Caucasians. We do not bake, broil or fry until the skin is leathery, dry and wrinkled like whites unless we have an identity problem. We have no need to “get color” sprayed on or from a tanning bed.  We have no desire to “get darker”.  Many African-Americans avoid the beach, parks and/or sunny areas. Others seek shade, trees or umbrella during outside activities in spring and summer. At the very least we wear hats – sometimes very LARGE hats. Why don’t we use sunscreen? Yes, black people get sunburned and skin damage! Many  of the skin care products mentioned have a SPF15 or higher. The skin care industry knows African-Americans need sunscreen.

Yes the rates of occurrence of various types of skin cancer are lower in African-Americans, but it’s not zero. African-Americans do develop skin cancer, and when it happens, the outcome is often fatal. African-Americans and Hispanics many times are diagnosed in the more advanced stage. Treatment becomes more difficult, even if affordable. Acral lentiginous melanoma is much more dangerous than melanomas found in Caucasians. The lower survival rate in African-Americans is largely attributed to the fact that we tend to have advanced disease that spread to other parts of their bodies by the time a diagnosis is made. When melanoma metastasizes to other parts of the body, it is highly deadly. Bob Marley died from acral lentiginous melanoma under a toenail.

Melanomas are cancers that form from melanocytes, the cells that make the pigment that gives skin its brown color. Melanocytes can develop benign (non-cancerous) growths labeled moles. The American Cancer Society gives great information in the article Melanoma Deadlier in Blacks, that does not need to be repeated here, but should be read carefully.

 If your hair is thin, the greater the chances your scalp could burn. Wearing a hat is always good, but second best is sunscreen. Yes sunscreen for your hair! Look for hair products such as Nioxin Scalp Shield Sunblock SPF 20 and follow the directions. Explore the drugstore hair care section for products with SPF listings on the label. Consult with your dermatologist, barber or hair stylist for other suggestions.

• Use sunscreen EVERYTIME you go outside – like walking the dog; don’t neglect your left (driving) arm
• Cover up – you don’t have to wear long sleeves in 100 degree weather, but expose as little skin as comfortable
• Wear a big hat!
• Wear sunglasses that block harmful rays and cover the sides of eye area