• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

Sun damage can happen to us all

by Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD, MBA
July 22, 2019
7
SHARES
141
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn
Getty Images

Get fit for summer with the right sun protection

Summer is in full swing with fireworks recently lightning up the night sky this Independence Day. When it comes to protecting your skin from the summer sun, some might think that sunscreen is only for people who get sunburned easily when outdoors. Think again.

Yes, people with lighter skin tones who get sunburns or use tanning beds develop sun damage and have an increased risk of skin cancer. But, this is a big misconception about sun damage.

Over time, if we do not protect ourselves from the sun’s harmful rays, sun damage to our skin and eyes happens to us all.  

The truth is that every skin type and tone can benefit from sunscreen use. In addition to skin cancer prevention sunscreen prevents uneven discoloration with aging, reduces the pigmentation of melasma, minimizes rosacea redness and flares, prevents wrinkles and skin dullness, and preserves skin elasticity.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Sun protection can also prevent the development of common skin growths in people with skin of color called seborrheic keratosis, which typically erupt on sun-exposed skin in middle age. Anyone who wants to protect their skin for a lifetime should use sunscreen, regardless of their skin tone.  

While sun protection is a noble cause, there are many challenges faced by people with skin of color related to sunscreen use. First, darker skin tones may appear unnatural or disfigured when wearing zinc oxide or titanium dioixde-containing sunscreens. While they offer the best physical protection, these sunscreen ingredients can leave an unattractive white film on darker skin.

Rubbing this white layer into the skin can compromise the sunscreen’s efficacy and result in little to no protection. Numerous chemical-based sunscreen ingredients, such as avobenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene, provide similar protection to zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

The upside of these chemical sunscreens is that the disfiguring white film is not present upon application to skin. The downside is possible allergic or irritant contact reactions when they are applied to skin. This can result in itch, rashes, acne breakouts, and inflammatory skin discoloration.

Shaded sunscreens similar to shaded foundations are very popular with woman who wear makeup. However, all tinted sunscreens currently on the market are one tone and cannot be worn by most people with darker skin tones.  

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Here are some steps that every person can take to help protect themselves from the sun this summer. First, if you are on the market for a sunscreen, go to stores like Ulta Beauty, Sephora, and others that allow you to test the product first to see if it will provide appropriate color match for your skin tone and the sun protection that you need.

Second, if you have chemical sensitivities, perform a use test with a new sunscreen product to determine if you will tolerate it. Apply the product daily for one week to one specific spot on your inner forearm and evaluate the area daily for any skin irritation or adverse reaction to the product. If no symptoms occur over the week test, it is most likely safe to apply to other areas.

Third, visit a dermatologist who can provide you with sunscreen options and testers of quality, physician-dispensed products and reliable over-the-counter options. At Twin Cities Dermatology Center, we are committed to fitting all skin types with the right sunscreen and offer complimentary sunscreen fittings so that you can find the right product for you.

Newer sunscreen selections are being developed to give all skin tones adequate and cosmetically pleasing sun protection. For example, Equation Skin Care has developed three shades of tinted sunscreen to accommodate darker skin tones and can be found exclusively at Twin Cities Dermatology Center.

Lastly, if you just cannot find the right product for you or are sensitive to chemicals in sunscreens, do not forget physical barriers as an option for sun protection. Hats, sunglasses, and light-colored protective clothing can provide physical barriers to shield against the sun’s harmful rays.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Seek shade when outdoors for a long period of time and practice good skin care for further skin protection. Get your skin fit for summer and for a lifetime by investing the time to find the right sun protection.  

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

How an aid gusher helped and hurt Liberia

Next Post

Rondo spirit alive and well despite rained-out parade

Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD, MBA

You Might Also Like

No Content Available
Next Post
Rondo spirit alive and well despite rained-out parade

Rondo spirit alive and well despite rained-out parade

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Sep 12
September 12 @ 6:30 pm-December 18 @ 9:30 pm Recurring

Vic Volare Presents MUSIC FOR MARTINIS ft: Vic’s Fabulous Nightclub Academy

Oct 5
7:00 pm-9:00 pm

The Bombing of Cubana Flight 455: Why it Matters

Oct 5
8:00 pm-10:00 pm Recurring

Dianne McIntrye Group In the Same Tongue

Oct 6
5:00 pm-11:00 pm

Music 4 Shelter

View Calendar
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Read our latest e-Edition!

PHOTO: Barbie back-to-school party

A Barbie back to school party.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: