WATCH: Do African-Americans Need To Wear Sunscreen?, From Dr. Nancy Snyderman

If you have dark skin, do you still need to wear sunscreen? Dr. Nancy Snyderman joined me to answer this important question.

Check out more useful health tips from Dr. Nancy Snyderman:

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• Schedule doctor's appointments on your birthday - this way you'll never forget to go!

• Treat your trip to the doctor like a trip to the grocery store - bring a list of all of your questions and concerns.

• If you have a problem, go to the doctor with a timeline. Your physician may have better insight into your condition if you bring in a detailed history.

• Take a pen and paper with you. If you're equipped to take notes, you're less likely to miss important information your doctor shares.

• Keep records. It's important to keep track of your medical history - it could help diagnose or treat a future issue.

• Ask ... is this test or medication necessary? Never be afraid to ask your doctor about their recommendations.

• Ask ... are there alternatives? If you're not comfortable with a procedure or the cost of a treatment there may be another way.

• Make sure all of your doctors communicate with each other. It's important to ensure that your treatments do not interact.

• Know necessary screenings for every age. If you aren't sure - just ask!

• Keep up-to-date on vaccinations. It's easier to prevent an issue than to treat it.

• Plan ahead for travel. You may need to take preventative measures before heading to certain destinations.

• Talk about end of life. If this is a concern, your doctor may be able to speak with you about what to expect.

• Fill out a donor card. This quick gesture may help save someone's life.

• Have a living will. You never know what's going to happen, and this could help safeguard your loved ones in the future.

• Don't be afraid to challenge your doctor. You should be an active participant in your health care, not a bystander.

• Trust your body and trust your instinct. Sometimes you can sense things that others may not be able to detect.

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Comments

[Supreme1]

10:05 AM on 12/05/2012

I'm black and i've never had to worry about how long i can i stay out in the sun. During the summer, I can play on the beach all day long and my skin will only get darker, not "sunburnt".

Why do i need sunblock if my body already protects me from the sun naturally?

[Tony An]

12:54 AM on 11/21/2012

The sun does not discriminate, it does not see if you are a fairer tone or of a darker tone. Diseases like skin cancer, sunburn and other sun or heat related conditions can be caught by anyone exposed to too much sun. It becomes more important for darker skin toned people to wear sunscreen for protection against the sun as darker tones have a higher risk of developing Melanoma. So it is advised to be always protected against harmful UVA/UVB rays, no matter your skin tone .I’ve used ExtraShade sunscreen and love it’s lightweight, moisturizing and doesn’t leave white streaks on my skin! I LOVE IT!

[Carmen Stone]

10:58 AM on 06/25/2012

I burn. So yes, I wear sunscreen. I also enjoy not having cancer. Everyone should protect their skin if they're going to be out in the sun.

[Zorro25]

09:12 AM on 06/25/2012

Sure why not, If I had financial interest in the sunscreen industry, I would want everybody to use it regardless if you African American or not. I just doubled my profits.If there was not a financial incentive, this question would have never seen the light of day

[Nadiyah24]

05:40 PM on 06/24/2012

I lived in the caribbean for 11 years and sometimes it goes to 100 degrees everyday. of course we all used to it and no one have ever heard of sunscreen. while I was there I have never heard anyone catching skin cancer. I do believe it's genetic. some people may have it and some may not. I wore sunscreens once in my life and I didn't like the feeling or maybe because it was too heavy. However, I think I will start wearing sunscreens, I have to find one with less chemicals.

[davejavalin]

11:40 PM on 06/23/2012

If skin cancer is prone to brown or dark skin black people then I would be the one to have skin cancer. As a kid growing up in the south we played, worked and just naturally spent a lot of time in the sun. I mean we took our shirt off and played sports all the time and nobody I know ever had a problem with skin cancer. I've heard that the ingredients that are in these lotions actually hinder our skin ability to make the sun protectors that we need. Furthermore, I don't see why we would need sunscreen to carry about our daily business and we definitely should not be lying out in the sun.

[Ricinaustin]

06:33 PM on 06/23/2012

I think there needs to be more education about the different types of sunscreens. A lot of people don't like wearing it because it is thick, goes on looking white,etc. "chemical " free sunscreens (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) are better suited for caucasians, while the synthetic versions are better suited for people of color as they are absorbed into the skin without feeling heavy or looking white. My advice is to avoid oxybenzone in sunscreens and parabens. Good luck.

[Toure Coffey]

04:16 PM on 06/23/2012

My uncle was man whose skin was dark as ebony, guess what , he was diagnosed with Melanoma.As a result his leg just below the knee was amputated.
This is why black people stay behind, we don't listen or think everything is a conspiracy .
AIDS not too long ago was "them other peoples" disease. Now look , our rates of new infection are staggeringly , egregiously high.
It is a fact skin cancer is on the raise in our demographic in part due to the use of skin bleaching agents etc.
Pay attention people!

[etennial 2000]

12:26 PM on 06/24/2012

I bet you a billion dollars your uncle was misdiagnosed. These doctors come out with "What we know now" conclusions every week. And there are no reports of blacks having skin cancer at alarming rates. Plus the black community has most of it's epidemics due to the spillage of another community where it originally started, such as AIDS. Then we have to play catch up learning about a disease the originally did not affect our communities. Skin bleaching is a whole different aspect as a catalyst to skin disease or skin cancer, which could be considered self induced skin cancer. Conspiracy my ass. Please (side eye)

[Toure Coffey]

05:04 PM on 06/25/2012

Yes, u are seemingly lacking in knowledge = Ignorant. Otherwise you would not have asked me for documentation to bolster my claim.
As a 47 year old man, my skin has aged amazingly well. Yes, i use broad spectrum protection, done so for well over two decades.
If you want statistics, investigate for yourself.
My Uncle was a doctor, so your speculation is way off and out of order.
In addition the video clearly states that although our community has natural protection by the way of Melanin. We are by no means immune.

Comprehension is key.

[etennial 2000]

11:34 PM on 06/22/2012

All this blacks catching skin cancer is a lie and flat out myth. There is no such thing as black ppl needing sunblock. They didn't need it in Egypt and they don't wear it or need it in Africa where the sum is way more harsh.

This is just another attempt of white cosmetic companies try to capitalize and benefit off fear.

If your wear sun block you are inhibiting your body from making its' own Vitamin D and will need supplements and the sun rays give AA natural energy.

[naftalynn]

01:09 AM on 06/23/2012

Fairer-skinned blacks and areas with less melanin such as palms and sole of feet are more prone to skin cancer. The prognosis is worst for blacks because it is less likely to be detected early due to lack of screening. Sunscreen is a good idea when you are exposed to the sun for long periods of time.

[Toure Coffey]

04:00 PM on 06/23/2012

Your ignorance is astonishing. My Uncle a very dark complected man had his leg amputated due to Melanoma .. All that is required is a history of intense , intermittant sun exposure especially during childhood.

[etennial 2000]

12:40 PM on 06/24/2012

Show me some statistical numbers of black with skin cancer? Just because your poooorr uncle who may or may not have had it makes someone else ignorant. Which show your own ignorance. Plus he probably was mis-diagnosed by some pseudo or intern doctor and had diabetes, you don't know for sure. Or he did not have a enough of a carbon based, alkaline diet. Black People have been on this earth for thousands of years with no issues of skin cancer. Does the sun help the natural creation of Vitamin D in black? Does black skin use the UV and UVB rays and transforms it to energy?

You need to get your mind right about your own skin before you go trolling around the internet in a suit and tie trying to look intelligent, while you are calling people ignorant for a difference in opinion. Especially since my opinion has scientific and historical facts attached to it.

[Ice woman]

03:59 PM on 06/22/2012

I'm brown skinned and I put on SPF 60 whenever I go out. I have sun sensitivity on my arms. If my arms are exposed without sunscreen they start to itch badly. So, I slather it on my arms, face, neck and legs to reduce this.

[shylosworld]

12:16 PM on 06/22/2012

i recall during the summer of 2008 i had gotten darker as a result from being out in the sun a lot. not burnt, just darker... i will say that "knowledge of self" is key! melanin needs nutrients from the sun to remain healthy. melanin plays a major factor in my bodily functions and as long it isn't compromised, it will do its job... sunblock, sunscreen any of those poisonious products will defintitely do that. what the majority of you buffoons (those claiming sunscreen is good) failed to realize, that hundreds of years ago, there were no such products, and there's no record of blacks ever getting skin cancer.

what i would like to know is why the brown people continue listening to the person who infected you with syphillis in 1932; aids, convinced you that abortions are cool, and poisoned your communities with the crack epidemic...

[milles manson]

02:50 PM on 06/22/2012

abortions and crack habits are by choice and blacks do get skin cancer,especially lighter skinned blacks,so they do need to wear sun block,and if they drink orange juice and other fruit and vegtable juices and eat other fruits and vegitables they will get plenty of vitamin c.

[Nadiyah24]

05:36 PM on 06/24/2012

actually the abortion part is by choice but the crack part was not by choice. Now if a person does crack in today's day that is your fault and no one else fault. Crack actually was introduce to the black community, because black people were so poor so instead of going to doctors they took ailments. the ailments were actually crack and the ailments were giving to children for cold, cough or fever. I took an interesting class in anthropology and discover how the drugs was introduce to the black community.

[Garrg]

01:21 AM on 06/25/2012

Uh, I think you are confused about which vitamin is being discussed. It is not vitamin C but vitamin D that is synthesized by the melenin molecule via sunlight. However continue to eat your fruits and veggies for it is certainly good for you.

[Trina Roach]

02:58 PM on 06/22/2012

Maybe because the ozone layer was more intact then than it is now, making the sun's affects from potent than they were 200 or 150 years ago. Plus: we are all of different hues. There is no patent answer for "people of color". Many of us *do* need additional protection from Jump Street (After a horrible burn suffered in Florida, I know I do!) , while others of us have a higher level of tolerance (but should still be - very - careful).

[KayAch7]

10:10 AM on 06/24/2012

Good point about the Sun and ozone layer.

[shylosworld]

10:47 PM on 06/26/2012

i never said anything about not getting burnt. i said that i did not get burned... and how do you know that the ozone layer isn't the same as it was way back when???

[Aesthete]

12:08 PM on 06/22/2012

Do African-Americans need to wear sunscreen? Are you kidding me? Of course we do! No one is safe from the sun's UV rays regardless of pigmentation. I know that I will burn or develop a rash if I forget to use sunscreen, even if I'm wearing long sleeves and a big hat. The phrase, "protective pigment," is a joke.

[Xgal08]

11:17 AM on 06/22/2012

I went to an amusement park without sunscreen. My skin was burned and peeling. I now use it all of the time if I know I'm going to be out in the sun for while.

[Karmella]

12:44 PM on 06/24/2012

I have to use sun screen. I've experienced the same thing when I moved to a very hot/sunny climate. The Summers where I live are brutal. Before I moved, I never thought it could happen.

[Topps]

07:42 AM on 06/22/2012

In Florida I use sunscreen all summer it's not a skin coloration factor it's hot and you can burn regardless of race. Amazing how some educated professionals lack common sense.

[greasedog]

08:35 AM on 06/22/2012

Darker skin pigments are LESS LIKELY to burn. Lighter skinned black people DO burn. Melanin does offer some protection. Higher melanin content offers higher protection. But, all black people can get skin cancer through sun exposure. Some black people actually DO sunburn but not all. Sunscreen protects against both.

[Ivoire]

03:20 AM on 06/22/2012

I'm brown and I wear SPF 30 sunscreen. To avoid to get burned and wrinkles. I see it as a long-term protection.