It doesn't matter what colour your skin is. Excessive exposure to the sun can be extremely damaging to the health, texture and glow of your skin.
For the black woman, it's even more important to understand how your skin interacts with the sun. This is because, it is easier for you to get deceived by your dark skin colour. Though it is true that you have more melanin present in your skin to protect you from the sun damage. It is also true that it does not guarantee protection when you are excessively exposed to the UV. Your dark skin makes it even more difficult to detect when damage occurs.
Therefore, it is even more essential that every woman, black, white, red whatever colour you prefer to take precaution while going under the sun. This of course will depend on the place, at what time of the and the intensity of the heat at the time. The unfortunate thing is that the wrinkles may not start to appear at the time of damage and the individual may not relate it to the excessive exposure later in life.
What are the side effects of excessive exposure to the sun?
1.Photo-ageing(premature wrinkles):
Excessive exposure to the UV rays of the sun can cause a reduction in size of the outer layer of the skin (squamous epithelium), thereby, slowing down the production of collagen. In effect making the skin lose its contour, elasticity and glow, causing sagging, appearance of premature wrinkles and deepening of the fine lines. Making the sufferer look much older than should.
2.Erythema ( sun burn) :
Simply put; this is the inflammation of the skin tissues due to excessive direct sun heat. When the skin absorbs so much energy from the UV rays, inflammatory process occurs. In response to this, there is a rush of blood cells to the areas in an effort to fight the intruder. Thus, the redness and swelling on the affected areas. Though the redness may not be immediately seen on the darker skin, it does not necessarily mean that there is no damage.
3. Dark patches on the skin
Melanin is a naturally occurring substance responsible for the darker colour of the skin. It is responsible for protecting the skin from the sun. But due to damage to the skin by the sun rays, it could become excessive or inharmonious leaving some permanent discolourations in the form of patches usually on the face due to its delicate nature.
4. Skin cancer:
Skin cancer is a very serious and life threatening side effect of excessive exposure to the UV rays. Unfortunately, millions of African women die each year from undetected skin cancer possibly due to damage from excessive sun exposure.
Therefore, it is absolutely necessary then that the awareness be spread to especially to every black woman on the need to stay protected from the ugly effects of the sun.
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