Sun Facts and Stat for Skin of Colour
There's nothing we love more than clinical data and peer reviewed research to help illustrate the advice we provide on Black Skin Directory.
So we've rounded up some key facts and stats that we hope will encourage you and strengthen your resolve in taking adequate care and exercise safety whilst enjoying the sun.
Know Your Rays
The sun emits Ultraviolet (UV) radiation as part of its electromagnetic field. This radiation takes the form of invisible rays which reach the earth’s surface. The reason why we can't see these rays with our naked eye is because they are on wave lengths shorter than light. These invisible wavelengths have two main classifications:
UVA RAYS (AGE YOUR SKIN)
These make up the longest wave lengths and account for some 95% of the UV radiation that reaches the earth. These rays are pretty much at the same strength throughout the year, regardless of season and they penetrate can through cloud and glass.
UVA rays penetrate deeper and further into the dermis (the second layer of skin) and are responsible for premature ageing and wrinkling of the skin. This is a compounded effect over time as collagen and elastin is gradually degraded eventually causing saggy skin.
This information has been around for years, but every year there is more detailed research that reveals just how potent UVA rays really are. Research over the last twenty-five years indicates that UVA rays contribute and possibly initiate cancer in the basal and squamous cells which sit in the epidermis (top most layer of skin).
Research also shows that the closer you get to the Earth’s poles, the higher the level of UVA rays, which means that people of colour living in Northern European countries like Britain really do need protection against these powerful rays, more so than people living in sub Saharan Africa for example, who conversely have a higher requirement for UVB protection instead.
UVB RAYS (BURN YOUR SKIN)
They are chiefly responsible for burning the skin. Their reach is limited to the epidermis, where they cause the most damage to skin cells leading to the development of skin cancer like Melanoma. Whilst there may not be any obvious reddening of the skin, black skin can feel tender, sore or irritated as a result.
UVB rays damage the skin all year round, but their intensity varies time of day, geographical location and the season. Unfortunately, when you’re at high altitudes or in snowy/icy conditions, UVA rays can bounce back unto the skin consequently penetrating the skin twice and intensifying the damage.
Both UVA and UVB rays contribute towards hyperpigmentation and other discolourations of the skin, which is why darker skin tones are encouraged to take precautions against the sun. Failure to do this results in a patchy and mottled appearance of dark skin; one of the first indications of ageing in people of colour as opposed to Caucasian skin that reveals lines and wrinkles instead.
It’s important to remember that when your skin goes darker in the sun, it’s the pigmentation cells producing more melanin to protect the skin from damage. The darkening of the skin is a protective measure and not a mark of health or beauty as is often thought.
Skin Cancer and Skin of Colour
There are four main types of skin cancer and even though Black skin is least likely to develop them, they still do develop so it pays to be aware. Here’s an overview:
ACRAL LENTIGINOUS MELANOMA
A deadly type of skin cancer that develops in the melanocytes cells found in the palms, soles and nail beds. It’s more common in darker skin and the one you really need to pay attention too.
BASAL CELL CARCINOMA
A common type of skin cancer that forms in the basal cells of the epidermis. It’s slow growing and very rarely spreads to other parts of the body.
SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA
Begin in the keratinocyte cells of the epidermis mainly in the areas that have been exposed to the sun. Tends not to spread but if it does they bury deeper into the skin, to lymph nodes and other organs as secondary cancer.
MELANOMA
Starts in the melanocyte skin cells following prolonged exposure to UVB rays. Over time this damages cell DNA causing mutations which can lead to melanoma cancer. It’s the most fatal type of skin cancer though curable if caught early.
“We’ve heard a lot of people say unprotected sun exposure is necessary for Vitamin D.
Whilst it’s true that the sun stimulates Vitamin D in the body, medical professionals agree that supplementing and eating Vitamin D rich foods is sufficient.”
Keeping an Eye on Skin Changes
Being diligent with skin changes can be a literal lifesaver. We recommend the ABCDE Skin Check Rule for an easy-to-remember method of keeping on top of your skin health.
A - Asymmetry – One half of a mole or a birthmark does not match the other. On a benign mole if you draw a line down the centre, both sides will match. On a suspicious mole, the two side will appear different from each other
B - Borders – The edges are irregular, ragged, scalloped, notched or blurred. A benign mole has smoothb edges,
C - Colour – The colour of the mole is different all over and may include different shades of brown, pink, red or black.
D - Diameter – The mole is larger than 6 millimetres across. Is it larger than the eraser tip of a pencil? Although some melanomas can sometimes be smaller than this.
E - Evolving – Is the mole changing in size, shape or colour? Benign moles tend to stay the same through the years. Any mole that seems to be changing, bleeds or starts crusting is a cause for alarm.
Utilising Tech For Skin Health
Patients with skin of colour are slower at presenting to health professionals with concerns about moles and lesions. We’ve also learnt that there is a lack of awareness and action when it comes to checking the skin for changes.
So, perhaps the key to better diligence is making it easier to check. With the busy lives we lead it's easy to push health matters to the back burner, but with our increased reliance on technology, we can harness new and sophisticated apps to help us keep on top of skin health changes.
Here are two of our favourite apps that enable you to take pictures, store and track changes to your skin over a period of time. All with the aim of getting you in front of the doctor as soon as you spot any dubious changes.
MIISKIN
A straightforward app developed in Denmark that allows you to take a photo of your skin or mole, then reminds you at a set interval (monthly, quarterly, bi-annual, yearly) to take another photo to compare. This allows you to curate a visual digital diary of your skin or mole. If you spot any changes you can then arrange a visit to your GP.
Miiskin will not diagnose skin cancer or forward your images to a health professional for further checking. What it does is that it allows you to take a proactive and empowering approach to managing your skin health and any changes that may occur.
SKINVISION
This popular app also allows you to take a picture of your skin or mole. It uses a computer algorithm to assess your photo within 30 seconds and provides a low, medium or high-risk assessment based on details you provide when you initially download the app.
If there is nothing suspicious, a reminder is set for your next set of photos. A high-risk assessment is reviewed by a team dermatologist free of charge and next steps will be advised.
It’s Important to Bear in Mind
An app does not replace a visit to your doctor or dermatologist to medically evaluate your skin or mole. These apps are tools to enable you to develop the habit of checking your skin frequently. We recommend that an app purely be used only to track any changes to your skin and set reminders to prompt you to take follow up pictures. A full and proper diagnosis can only be made by a medical professional.
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