mic.com / Dr. Peterson Pierre

Do Black People Need Sunscreen?

July 16, 2020

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So, when it comes to protecting our largest organ, what is a Black or dark-skinned person like me supposed to do? First of all, wear sunscreen. “Black people need sunscreen for a number of reasons,” starts Peterson Pierre, a Black California-based dermatologist. “First, we need protection against ultraviolet radiation to decrease our risk of skin cancer.” he says. “Also, ultraviolet radiation causes the development of free radicals which not only lead to the development of cancers but also accelerates the aging process.” Sun damage — wrinkles and other physical signs — occur at a slower, and less noticeable rate in people with darker skin, Mokaya adds, but they do indeed occur.

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