The Urban Scientist

The Urban Scientist


Black may not crack, but it can sunburn


Dr. Rubidium at Thirty-Seven drops some serious science dispelling the myth that Black folk don't get sunburn.



Here's an excerpt of her enlightening post:




[Sunburn from MedlinePlus of the National Institute of Health]


Being darker means I may not burn as quickly as @DrRubidium, who has lighter skin, but my skin definitely does feel and react to the heat. If unprotected (via clothing or sun block), my skin tone will deepen with continued exposure. But more immediately it get warm, and hold heat. At times I have gotten heat rash. I'm still fighting off a heat rash from Africa. The problem with my darker skin and extended sun exposure is that I will not likely get the tell-tale signs of heat burn - the redness. Maybe that is why people think Black folks don't get sun burn, because we rarely see it, except in folks with fairer skin tones. But it does and can happen.


The persistent myth that black people don't get sunburns gave rise to the myth that black people don't get skin cancer.

Read the complete post at Thirty-Seven, hosted at Scientopia: Black People Don't...get sunburn (NOT).


Share this Article:



The perfect movie companion to
Jurassic World

Add promo-code: Jurassic

Hurry this sale ends soon >


Email this Article