| It is always said that people with fair skin and | | | | hands so you really should check these areas |
| freckles really need to be careful whilst out in the | | | | regularly after you have been exposed to the |
| sun. So what if you have darker skin? Does that | | | | sun. |
| mean that you do not have to be as careful? Are | | | | The best way to prevent skin cancer is to wear |
| there still risks of sun damage for people with | | | | sun protection. Even though darker skins do have |
| darker skins? | | | | a sun protection factor of up to 13, it is advised |
| I can be extremely confusing to know whether | | | | that you do wear sun protection with a factor of |
| the sun can still damage darker skin, when you | | | | at least 15. It all depends upon where you live. |
| are constantly being told that fair skin has the | | | | Some areas have stronger UV levels than others, |
| biggest danger. So just exactly what are the risks | | | | and so if you live in the Caribbean for example, |
| to darker skin? | | | | you will generally need a higher protection level |
| The Problems Which Can Occur With Dark Skin in | | | | than if you lived somewhere such as the UK. |
| the Sun | | | | A good way to see what the UV levels will be like |
| Whilst it has previously been thought that cancer | | | | daily, you should watch your local weather report |
| is blocked by darker skins, this simply is not true. | | | | which will tell you how strong the UV levels are |
| It may be less common in darker skin, but if you | | | | going to be for that day. |
| do have dark skin and you end up with skin | | | | Also having a healthy diet and regular exercise |
| cancer, it can often be more deadly than if you | | | | really can help to cut your chances of skin cancer. |
| had fair skin. This is due to the fact that it is | | | | Eating a lot of oily fish such as salmon, which |
| often diagnosed later as it is harder to find and it | | | | contains a lot of omega 3, can help to cut your |
| is often more aggressive in darker skins too. | | | | risk of burning in the sun by up to 33% if you eat |
| Darker skin is better protected against sunburn | | | | it up to three times a week for over three |
| however, as it contains extra pigment. Also, | | | | months. |
| darker skin has increased epidermal melanin which | | | | So overall, generally if you have darker skin you |
| tends to provide natural sun protection. This does | | | | are still at risk of developing skin cancer, even if |
| not mean that you should not wear sunscreen | | | | your chances are reduced. You really should not |
| however, you should always wear sunscreen to | | | | gamble with your life by following research which |
| protect your skin, and it just means that darker | | | | tells you that darker skins are safe from the sun. |
| skin has more of a natural protection than fair | | | | You are not completely safe and you need to |
| skin. Generally dark skin has a natural sun | | | | take the necessary precautions the same as |
| protection factor of around 13, and it can also | | | | everybody else. Always check your hands and |
| filter the suns UV rays better than fair skin can. | | | | the soles of your feet to check for any skin |
| Melanoma is a condition which is common on the | | | | alterations such as blisters or moles. |
| soles of the feet and the palms of the hands on | | | | Always consult a doctor if you do notice any |
| people with dark skin. This is because these places | | | | changes and they will be able to give you a full |
| are often lighter than other parts of the body. | | | | diagnosis. The sun can be deadly to all skin colors |
| Also other skin cancers tend to first appear on | | | | and it needs to be taken seriously. |
| the soles of the feet and on the palms of the | | | | |