Does the application of sunscreen vary depending on skin tone?

Although the incidence of skin cancers is lower in patients with dark skin, accounting for about 2% of all neoplasms, compared to individuals with light phototype who represent about 40%, morbidity and mortality rates are higher in people of colour. Indeed, for people of colour, skin cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage and with a less favourable prognosis.

The average Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of black skin is 13.4, compared to that of white skin, which is 3.4.

A random digit dialling telephone survey was conducted among American adolescents aged 11 to 18 and their parents during the summers of 1998 and 2004 (response rate: n = 1,187 in 1998 and n = 1,931 in 2004) to gain insight into attitudes, behaviours, beliefs, and sunburns related to UV exposure in a representative population. The results showed that there was a significant difference between fair-skinned subjects and those with medium to dark phototypes in their awareness of the risks of cancer due to UV rays and the importance of photoprotection, including sunscreen. However, the cosmetic aspect of tanning was considerably less desirable for individuals with medium or dark skin than for those with white skin.

Similarly, a cross-sectional study involving patients with dark phototypes (n = 55) attending a primary care clinic for dermatological issues revealed that 74% of those surveyed had never used sunscreen. Furthermore, the majority of those surveyed (62% of sunscreen users and 73% of non-users) were unaware that people with a dark complexion could contract skin cancer.

At present, no study has evaluated the risk reduction of using sunscreen and skin cancer among people of colour (of African, Asian, Latino, Middle Eastern, Native American, Mediterranean descent). However, it is necessary to quantify this. Therefore, more data is needed to understand the risk reduction provided by sunscreens, beyond just sunburn, for people of colour.

Recommendation : It's a fact: even if you have dark skin, you can develop skin cancer. However, people of colour tend to underestimate the harmful effects of UV rays from the sun and underuse sun protection. The public is generally less aware of the risk of skin cancer in people of colour. Therefore, regardless of your skin colour, always remember to apply a sunscreen with a sufficient protection factor when outdoors and reapply if necessary.