Soaking up the sun lately? No matter what your skintone is, you’re at risk of cancer due to sun damage. Melanin, which gives skin its color, does protect against the sun, but it doesn’t immunize you! In fact, cancer mortality rates are higher among people with darker skin because melanoma is often diagnosed later.
If you have a lesion that bleeds, oozes, crusts or lasts longer than a month, see a dermatologist immediately. Better yet, avoid that situation altogether: Visit a dermatologist for a yearly checkup and wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, no matter what. There are beauty benefits, too: Protecting your skin means fewer wrinkles and less discoloration!
Stay safe in the sun this Fourth of July!
MORE: How Sun-Damaged Skin Looks
