Is it necessary for the black community to lather up?

The debate on the use of sunscreen has always been somewhat controversial within the Black community. As we move into the summer months, it is once again a hot topic.

Common questions surrounding the debate include: do darker skin tones need to use sunscreen? What type of sunscreen should be used? When should sunscreen be applied? Growing up, many Black Canadians assumed that their darker skin was enough protection from the sun and its harmful UV rays. However, today’s research tells us that darker skin also needs protection from the sun.

Dr. Marcy Street is a well-known dermatologist with a thriving practice and a successful skincare line. Called Doctor’s Approach, it was created for people of all skin tones. From her more than 18 years of experience, she advocates that sunscreen is necessary for all skin — light or dark.

“Lighter skin tones are more at risk [for sunburns and cancer]. However, it’s really our response to the sun that has to be factored in,” she says. “Medium and dark skin tones can have severe reactions, including turning red, repeated rashes and inflamed skin when exposed to the sun.”

Dr. Street also cautions that the myth that Black skin can soak up exposure to the sun without causing any short or long-term damage, has led to a slight increase in the frequency of skin cancer within the Black community. But it’s not for the reasons we may think.

“While we are less likely to get deadly skin cancer than our lighter-skinned counterparts, it does occur. Because we have bought into the myth that Black people don’t get skin cancer, we are less likely to be screened. So, by the first time it’s presented to a medical professional it’s too late and the cancer is already at an advanced stage,” says Dr. Street.

According to the most recent cancer statistics, skin cancer is ranked as one of the most common types. With late diagnosis among the Black community on the rise, naturally mortality rates will increase. The Canadian Dermatology Association recommends using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

It also advocates that skin cancer is one of the few cancers that is preventable. However, if Black Canadians continue to recite the mantra that “black don’t crack” and ignore the harsh realities of sun exposure without protection, the frequency of skin cancer will continue to increase.

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