Visible light, UVAI protection important for those with darker skin types

ByRebecca L. Forand

WAILEA, Hawaii — Individuals with darker skin types should protect their skin from visible light damage, as well as ultraviolet light, according to a poster presented at Maui Derm for Dermatologists.

“Our consensus panel found there are a myriad of misconceptions related to photoprotection in patients with darker skin type, as defined by Fitzpatrick skin types 3, 4, 5 and 6,” Susan Taylor, MD, of the department of dermatology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, told Healio. “We found that patients with skin of color are less susceptible to burning, as well as DNA damage ... but emerging science has taught us that visible light, particularly in patients with darker skin tone, can either exacerbate or precipitate pigmentary disorders like melasma or post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation.”

Researchers conducted a comprehensive literature review to identify eight key misconceptions about photoprotection in skin of color.

Susan Taylor

First, they found many believe UV spectrum light found in sunlight has the most negative impact on all skin types, even though darker skin types have natural protection from ultraviolet B light.

Also, pigmentary disorders such as melasma are often thought to have a cosmetic impact on patients, however in reality, they impact social life, emotional well-being and self-esteem.

In addition, while skin cancer is less frequently found in darker skin types, it often has greater morbidity and mortality for these populations because of later detection.

While most broad-spectrum sunscreen provides protection from UVB and ultraviolet A II light, it does not often protect from UVAI and visible light damage, which may be more important for those with darker skin types.

“Photoprotection is a very important component for all skin types, including patients with darker skin tones, but we must advise our patients with darker skin tones to protect not only from UVB and UVAII, but also UVAI and visible light,” Taylor said. “This can be acquired by sunscreens that contain iron oxide or antioxidants.”

Sources/Disclosures

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Source:

Taylor S, et al. Poster. Misconceptions of photoprotection in skin of color. Presented at: Maui Derm for Dermatologists; Jan. 24-28, 2022; Wailea, Hawaii.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by Beiersdorf Inc.