Skip To Content

    Here's What People Of Color Need To Know About Sunburn And Skin Cancer

    You can get both.

    1. You can get sunburned.

    2. Even if you don't see the visible signs commonly associated with sunburn, your skin can still be damaged.

    3. Which means people of color can also get skin cancer from the sun.

    4. You should always wear a sun protectant, even in cold seasons, and the label should read "UVA/UVB protection."

    5. There's never a valid excuse to forgo sunscreen.

    6. Sunscreens should have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30.

    7. Get an oil-free sunblock to avoid a dusty or filmy layer atop the skin.

    8. You should be reapplying sun protection multiple times throughout the day.

    9. Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common skin cancer in Hispanic, Chinese, and Japanese people, according to Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF).

    10. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is the most common skin cancer among African Americans and Asian Indians, reports the SCF.

    11. It should also be noted that the sun is not the only cause of skin cancer.

    12. More African Americans, Asians, and Latino people die of melanoma than white Americans.

    13. Going to see a board-certified dermatologist once a year for a full-body scan can potentially detect skin cancer in its early stages and save your life.

    14. Start doing full-body checks with a dermatologist in your late teens or sooner if you have a lot of moles.

    15. Most important, know that preventative measures can significantly reduce the risk of both sunburn and skin cancer.