You should wear sunscreen even if you have darker skin. Here's why

Too much ultraviolet exposure from the sun can lead to sunburn, dark spots and wrinkles, and increased risk of skin cancer.

Yes, too much sun exposure is bad, but so is too little exposure.

Look for chemical-based sunscreens to avoid ashy white cast. Two key ingredients in mineral-based products — zinc oxide and titanium oxide — are the culprits for that pesky discoloration on dark skin.

Yeah, but the mineral ones are probably much safer. I worry about the toxicity of chemical-based sunscreens; choose them carefully.

Yes, too much sun exposure is bad, but so is too little exposure.

Which is a very small problem with minimum risks in comparison, also very easily solved without incurring in the risks that come with increasing the exposure.

Yeah, but the mineral ones are probably much safer. 

Probably requires evidence, believing something based only on personal opinion do not make it so.

 I worry about the toxicity of chemical-based sunscreens; choose them carefully.

The experts don't really worry about this, since it is an idea taken completely out of proportion by people trying to profit from making people unnecessarily anxious about it.

https://www.today.com/health/skin-beauty/are-chemical-sunscreens-safe-rcna168630

"There's no data showing that (chemical sunscreens are) associated with increased risk of cancer at all, of any type of cancer," Waldman says.

Honestly, Japanese and other asians in East Asia are the only people I've encountered who believe darker skin people don't need sunscreen.

People with darker skin still need to wear sunscreen

Does that not depend on where you live?

The link below includes this sentence - "For people of colour there is a much lower risk of skin cancer, and a much higher risk of vitamin D deficiency, and as such, people of colour are more likely to benefit from sun exposure."

I think that refers to those living in the UK - not the sunniest of places.

https://www.skinhealthinfo.org.uk/sun-awareness/sun-advice-for-skin-of-colour/

"For people of colour there is a much lower risk of skin cancer, and a much higher risk of vitamin D deficiency, and as such, people of colour are more likely to benefit from sun exposure."

Yes, vitD insufficiency is quite rampant (also in the US), especially among those with darker skin. Several experts have pointed to this as a reason why darker skinned people were disproportionately affected by Covid19.

Promoting sunscreen use will just make things worse if they do not promote supplementing with vitD.

However, it's also important to consider that the benefits of sun exposure are not limited to vitD production.

I have very sensitive skin and need to cover up and use sunblock.

Yes, vitD insufficiency is quite rampant (also in the US), especially among those with darker skin. Several experts have pointed to this as a reason why darker skinned people were disproportionately affected by Covid19.

People theorized this, but could never find any actual evidence to support those claims, specially when it became clear that even very low levels of vitamin D are enough to support normal immunity against respiratory infections.

Promoting sunscreen use will just make things worse if they do not promote supplementing with vitD.

That makes absolutely no sense, vitamin D requirements can easily be fulfilled from a healthy diet without having to supplement anything.

However, it's also important to consider that the benefits of sun exposure are not limited to vitD production.

Yet the risks that come with exposure are important enough to make the first recommendation to wear sunscreen in order to be exposed, all the benefits without the very important risks.

Better to cover up,say with a widebrimmmed hat,or hooded long sleeve rashvest.

Which makes me think of how older people in Japan tend to dress in summer.

I am a cancer survivor and know what that means. A very fearful experience. My mother in Florida had skin cancer several times.

Black patients more commonly get melanoma on their hands and feet — places that are more shielded from the sun

I am trying to understand this line. If hands and feet are more shielded how is it those areas are getting skin cancer more. I know it isn't impossible but if they are covered are they not protected MORE therefor under lesser threat?

White people are overall more likely to get skin cancer compared to Black and Hispanic people. But Black and Hispanic people are less likely to survive the most dangerous kind of skin cancer called melanoma, according to the American Cancer Society.

Also, why does it always seem that minorities get an illness or disease but it is worse for them? I understand socio economic standings are a cause but it seems like media says whites get a sickness but all others get it X amount of times worse. HOW? Sounds like an inferiority spin each and every time.

I know it isn't impossible but if they are covered are they not protected MORE therefor under lesser threat?

But they are less pigmented, so they are also protected less by the coloration.

HOW? Sounds like an inferiority spin each and every time.

The media is just describing what the scientists and doctors can find, inferiority spin would be much more to simply deny this is the case or claim the doctors must be wrong. The problem is more likely underestimating the socio economical factors, they are determinant for disease extremely important. Right now the number that most closely predicts how long and healthy the life of an individual will be is the postal code of his residence.

Um no you shouldn't, unless you like benzene and other cancer causing chemicals going straight into your bloodstream. Instead, just don't sunbath too much and reduce expose to too much strong direct sunlight.

Um no you shouldn't, unless you like benzene and other cancer causing chemicals going straight into your bloodstream

That is actually false, as the reference I already provided clearly says there is not a single report where cancer is associated with wearing sunscreen because the chemicals included do not represent any risk for the health of the people.

Meanwhile not using sunscreen while exposed to the sun is clearly associated with higher incidence of skin cancer. Even for people that don't "sunbathe too much". Also indirect exposure to UV from the sunlight is still a factor of risk.

https://blog.dana-farber.org/insight/2018/05/staying-shade-prevent-sunburn/

Seeking shade can reduce UV exposure, but not entirely. That’s because UVB rays, the segment of ultraviolet light most harmful to skin, can strike indirectly, by bouncing off UV-reflective surfaces such as sand, water, and concrete.

That makes absolutely no sense, vitamin D requirements can easily be fulfilled from a healthy diet without having to supplement anything.

To prevent a vitD deficiency and rickets, sure. But to achieve optimal vitD levels for optimal immunity and overall health, you need either sun exposure or supplements.

To prevent a vitD deficiency and rickets, sure. But to achieve optimal vitD levels for optimal immunity and overall health, you need either sun exposure or supplements.

No valid source supports this, only grifters trying to profit from misleading people into buying unnecessary supplements. These may be necessary only for people with specific diets but even so a little effort is enough to get it without problems. After all levels considered low are still completely adequate to get optimal immunity.