Common Misconceptions About Sunscreen With P.O.C.

Growing up I’ve always heard classic phrases that people of color share, but one that’s most common pertains to our skin and what we do to take care of it. “Black don’t crack'' they said, and although there’s no science that obviously refutes that, I can say from my observation, that the aging process in comparison to some is quite different. However, that doesn’t mean we are exempt from the harm caused by our environment. You might have also heard that “Black people don’t get sunburned” but quickly realized the falsity in that statement after experiencing it for the first time. Now all of those assumptions are tied to the black community, but I’ve seen this resemblance of thought amongst all people of color as well. It has been determined that sunscreen is the most effective part of your skincare routine, yet we limit our use of this product let alone discuss its importance. Then I remembered the stigma surrounding by SPF in relation to melanated skin and how it was falsely presumed that we didn’t require it. Instead, I trusted science and formulations to get a better understanding of what is actually needed. I had to ask myself why did we adopt these thoughts? Was it confusion and lack of knowledge? Or were there limitations to the exposure of skincare products? Regardless, how can this change and where do we start? We first look into the reasons for its seriousness.

The health impacts are higher than you think. Environmental laws allow so many disturbing and relaxed policies that affect us daily. We know this through visual representations of global warming and seasonal changes around the world. And naturally, we're not going to make that association when it comes to the health of our skin, but we should. Therefore, protecting yourself from the crepuscular rays and sunbeams is a must. Sun damage can take a major toll on our skin and potentially take years to repair, if even possible. Digging a little a deeper, the most severe finding was that Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, is not as common in people of color, yet we suffer from higher death rates because of it. So, staying proactive in combination with proper care could potentially prevent this complication.

Black and Brown people are less likely to be considered. Although this has changed a bit in the past 3 - 5 years, people of color have always been marginalized in many industries including cosmetics and beauty, and it shows with the lack of products formulated for our skin health and desires. Actress, comedian, and writer, Ashley Nicole Black, just recently discussed, on the podcast Scam Goddess, visiting a dermatologist and being told she couldn't be treated because they didn’t have anything for her complexion. Ridiculous, huh? Nevertheless, it’s very characteristic to experience this whether or not you are seeing a licensed professional. Conversations like these are dangerous for a couple of reasons but one stands out the most: it lacks consideration of need, which then falls to the absence of education and distribution of quality products. In return you aren’t equipped with the facts to better take care of yourself, reducing you to possibly take preventive measures in the future. 

How can we change this? I know it can be uncomfortable sometimes to challenge your physician but continue to ask those hard questions to get the care you deserve. Prioritizing wearing sunscreen and shading your skin from the harmful rays can limit your chances of damage in the future as well. Also, making sure to wear SPF indoors is just as important. The smallest amount of light peeking through your shades or even your favorite bedside lamp can be just as harmful, so wearing sunscreen every day is necessary. Presumably, finding a sunscreen for your body can be a simple task, but if you like to limit the number of products on your face, try to find a sunscreen that meets your skincare needs. You want to make sure that you are applying liberally and not relying on your favorite moisturizer or foundation to give you your daily dose of SPF; in this case, less is not more. As long as you follow the instructions suggested on the bottle for optimal protection, you’re off to a great start!

Yes, I have to admit, this is a lot of new information, but exposure to this issue is the beginning of gaining a good understanding. Before, like most, I would've picked up the first pretty bottle that claimed a significant change in less than 2 weeks. Believe me, if a product had at least five good reviews, or my favorite influencer suggested it, I was all over it! (I know, pretty damn dumb). However, voices like Jackie Aina and Skincare by Hyram, provided the spark in information seeking that I needed to tailor my products in an effort to take better care of my skin, so I highly suggest that you check them out. However, with the help of my dermatologist, months of research, and wasted dollars, I was on my way to comprehending the importance of this subject and now you can too. If you take anything away from this, please, I beg of you, wear the damn sunscreen!