eli5: Do people with darker skin have to wear sunscreen?

Question

I heard the UV cause skin cancer, I’m a brown guy and never wear sunscreen, does that mean I have a higher likelihood of getting skin cancer?

In: 159

Answer 1

Easy answer: no protection (sunscreen) = higher chance of adverse affects of sun exposure (sunburn at best, skin cancer at worst). More melanin affords some level of better protection but honestly, don’t use that as a pretense not to use sunscreen. Imagine being a quarterback without a helmet; although you may avoid hits and avoid damage like you’re Patrick Mahomes running around the backfield. But the risk of getting your dome rocked skyrockets without wearing a helmet. The sun plays the long game, west sunscreen. You wanna know the secret to “Black don’t crack?” First, don’t do crack; second, SUNSCREEN!