What’s What?
For a long time, I thought protecting my skin from the sun meant nothing more than applying sunscreen or sunblock! I love(d) the sun and have no real qualms about staying out of or away from it. It was a rude awakening for me to learn that no matter what (we do to “safely tan” or “stay out of the sun”), the sun is gon do what it does: emit UV rays that are inevitably harmful to our skin and may lead to issues like skin cancer, sunburn, and premature skin aging.
What’s So Harmful About The Sun?
Naturally, nothing. However, ultraviolet radiation, or part of the natural energy made by the sun, can really damage our skin. Prolonged and unprotected exposure to it can lead to all sorts of health concerns from sunburn to skin cancer to cataracts to premature aging issues like wrinkles, age spots, sagging, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation.
The two types of UV rays that have been proven to contribute to the risk of skin cancer are: UVA (longer wavelength/associated with aging) and UVB (shorter wavelength/associated with burning).
Enjoy these Fun facts about each UV provided by The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF):
UVA
- UVA rays cause tanning, and the shorter wavelengths of UVA also cause sunburn. There is no such thing as a safe or healthy tan. UVA radiation is proven to contribute to the development of skin cancer.
- UVA is connected to the “broad-spectrum protection” you see on the labels of sunscreen products.
- UVA rays, while slightly less intense than UVB, penetrate your skin more deeply.
- UVA radiation is the main type of light used in most tanning beds.
- UVA is everywhere. UVA accounts for up to 95 percent of the UV radiation reaching the earth. These rays maintain the same level of strength during daylight hours throughout the year.
- UVA can penetrate windows and cloud cover.
UVB
- UVB penetrates and damages the outermost layers of your skin. Overexposure causes suntan, sunburn and, in severe cases, blistering.
- UVB rays can damage your skin year-round, especially at high altitudes or on reflective surfaces like snow or ice.
- UVB rays can be filtered and do not penetrate glass.
- UVB is connected to the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) on labels of sunscreen products.
To learn more in-depth about the facts and risks of UV radiation, click here.
What is SPF?
According to the SCF,
“SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The number tells you how long the sun’s UVB rays would take to redden your skin if you apply the sunscreen exactly as directed compared with the amount of time without sunscreen. So, if you use an SPF 30 product properly, it would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you used no sunscreen.”
They also recommend that “no matter the SPF, reapplication every two hours is key. In addition, sunscreen must also be reapplied immediately after swimming or sweating.”
Protect Yo Skin, Period: The Cost of Not Wearing Sunscreen
Sunscreen isn’t the sexiest purchase. It isn’t always “budget-friendly” either, but the benefits truly outweigh all that. Since avoiding UV radiation altogether is super unrealistic since UVA can penetrate windows & cloud cover and UVB can damage our skin year-round, it is important to try to AVOID PREMATURE AGING AT ALL COSTS. No but seriously (and ironically), skin cancer and other skin damage is NO joke!
According to the SCF, “sunscreen includes active ingredients that help prevent the sun’s UV radiation from reaching your skin.” They explained the two types of sunscreens and how they may work for your skin:
“Physical (mineral) sunscreen ingredients (including the minerals titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) block and scatter the rays before they penetrate your skin. May also cause less irritation.
Chemical sunscreen ingredients (like avobenzone and octisalate) absorb UV rays before they can damage your skin.”
Broad-spectrum sunscreen is key since it protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. To learn more about the safety of wearing sunscreen, click here to visit The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) page for sunscreen safeness. Click here to learn about the FDA and its role/responsibility in regulating sunscreen.
Sunscreen and What Else?
Below are some tips to protect you and your loved ones’ skin from skin damage and skin cancer.
- Use and apply sunscreen daily (babies under 6 months old are excluded) to all exposed skin
- Apply a sunscreen that is 1. Broad spectrum 2. AT LEAST SPF 15 (indoors) or 3. SPF 30 (outdoors)
- Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before exposure and every 2 hours thereafter
- Stay out of the sun, or seek shade whenever possible
- Sun-safe clothing & accessories like UV-blockers (sunglasses), wide-brimmed hats, and UPF clothing pieces are the best ways to safeguard your skin against the sun (and babies under 6 months).
To read more on the importance of sun protection and the detailed ways to protect your skin, click here. And here to learn more about living a “sun-safe life”. The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) has even more info on sun protection and you can find it here.
Black Don’t Crack But It Does Burn
Our skin is skin, just like every other human’s and just like every other human’s skin, it needs protection. I am unsure of where the lie started that Black people don’t need sunscreen, but I am here to help put a stop to it. From the medical field to individual households, we’ve been straight up misinformed. Because of this, if we do develop skin cancer, it is diagnosed most often when it is too late.
What’s Luxe?
Find a broad-spectrum sunscreen product that has at least 30 SPF (WTAL recommendation) that works for your skin and lifestyle. That’s it, that’s all.
Black Girl Sunscreen is a brand came across sometime during the panini and immediately purchased. With promises of natural ingredients, I was too prest to replace my OLAY (but not breakout OKAY). Since then, I have been loving my experience with using it. In fact, I just placed a Target order (using my Target red card, of course) for 2 more bottles of the OG SPF 30. From its broad-spectrum coverage to its natural ingredients to its environmental consciousness, it’s a loyal customer they have in me! Do not take only my word, take its journey as another example: BGS went from being SOLD OUT at Target to being plentiful at Target and having their own robust D2C system (with plenty of promotions and engaging marketing). Shoutout to the BGS team for a great, quality product; click here to visit their site to purchase or learn more.
Do you wear sunscreen? Which sunscreen is your favorite? Do you put (that shit) it on (everyday)?! Do you just avoid the sun? What do you do to protect yo skin from the almighty sunshine?! Let’s talk about it in the comments below!
