Do all skin types need sunscreen?
Are you a person who loves to tan? If so, you are not alone! If you tan easily or have naturally dark skin, you might think you are not at risk to get skin cancer. However, think again… Damaging UV rays can penetrate all types of skin, regardless of your ethnicity, so even people with dark skin need sunscreen.
Different skin types
Skin types can be classified according to the Fitzpatrick skin type (or photo type), depending on the amount of melanin pigment in the skin. The skin type is determined by color (white, brown or black skin) and the result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation (tanning).

How is your skin type determined?
The most important substance determining your skin color is melanin .Specialized cells called melanocytes produce the pigment melanin, which besides producing the pigmentation in our skin, hair and eyes also in part protects our DNA from the harmful UV-radiations. The amount of melanin your skin, hair and eyes can produce is predominantly determined by your genes, other factors that can affect your melanin levels include : UV, age, change in hormone levels and inflammation.
There are three different types of melanin present in our body, however only two types are present in our skin: Pheomelanin (yellow/red pigment) and Eumelanin (dark brown pigment). Eumelanin offers better protection from the sun's UV rays compared to pheomelanin.This means that pheomelanin can contribute to the damaging effects of UV light. Research has also shown that pheomelanin increases the release of histamine after exposure to UV light, contributing to sun induced redened skin. Everyone has a combination of both types of melanin in their skin, however the ratios do differ from skin types, explaining the phenomenon that some people burn more easily than others.
The amount of melanin your skin, hair and eyes can produce is predominantly determined by your genes, other factors that can affect your melanin levels include : UV, age, change in hormone levels and inflammation.

GENETICS
Levels of melanin are primarily determined by genetics ; individuals born to fair skinned parents will inherit their parent's fair skin, as individuals born to dark skinned parents will inherit dark skin. People with a dark skin have larger sizes and numbers of melanosomes (melanin containing organelles). Moreover, they have more eumelanin, the good form of melanin in the skin. Also, they have a better distribution of melanin in the keratinocytes (epidermal skin cells) than people with light skin. Melanin absorbs UV rays from the sun and therefore serves as a physical barrier that scatters UV radiation. Resulting in a better natural protection from damaging UV rays
EXTRINSIC FACTORS
Antioxidants can be divided into two groups: groups: enzymatic antioxidants and non-enzymatic antioxidants . The human body itself produces enzymatic antioxidants, while non-enzymatic antioxidants can be found in some foods. Vitamin C is an example of a non-enzymatic antioxidant. Topical application of vitamin C helps to protect your skin from damaging factors that cause the release of damaging free radicals. Free radicals lead to premature signs of aging, but vitamin C neutralizes them and helps to protect your skin from this damage, keeping your complexion healthy and vibrant. Of course, topical vitamin C should not be considered an alternative to wearing sunscreen, but when combined with sunscreen, vitamin C works as a sunblock booster!

Why is skin protection important to everyone?

People with dark skin have a higher natural protection barrier but it is a common misconception that a melanin infused skin eliminates the need for sunscreen as protection. Damaging UV rays can penetrate all skin types! People with a dark skin have a natural SPF (sun protection factor) around 13. They are better protected than people with a pale skin but the melanin does not block all the damaging UV-rays.
People with tanned skin have an increased amount of melanin in response to sun exposure. A tan is equivalent to wearing a sunscreen with an SPF of 3 to 4. We like having tanned skin but it is actually a sign of cell damage because of the sun. Exposure to UV light increases the risk for premature skin aging, skin damage, and skin cancer. The risk rises if tanning leads to a sunburn. A single blistering sunburn can nearly double one's lifetime risk of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. Therefore, it is ironic that one of the reasons people tan is to look better and healthier.
Our New High Protection Sunscreen SPF 30+
The amount of UV radiation is higher during summer. Therefore, it is advised to always use a day cream with high SPF during this period. Nomige launched its new High Protection Sunscreen SPF 30+, that contains 100% of mineral sun filters. It acts like a mirror on your skin, and protects it from UVA and UVB radiation on a daily basis. However, don't forget to reapply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours to ensure strong protection.

High Protection Sunscreen SPF 30+ (Presale)
High Protection Sunscreen SPF 30+. Slightly tinted. Protects from harmful UVA and UVB rays
Questions about sunscreen?
Discover dr. Barbara Geusens' tips about sunscreen. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any other questions.
Discover dr. Barbara Geusens' tips about sunscreen. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any other questions.
Questions about sunscreen?
Follow our story
Connect with us and follow the hashtag #MyNomige to stay up to date of the latest skin tips and news.
Follow our story
Connect with us and follow the hashtag #MyNomige to stay up to date of the latest skin tips and news.
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