First, skin color. While dark skin is better protected from ultraviolet radiation, it does absorb more of the energy in visible light than light skin.
Dark skin absorbs most light before it reaches the hereditary material. Africans appear dark, while we appear light. But in the area of ultraviolet radiation, the opposite is true. We have recently discovered that UV, which makes vitamin D, is spread and reflected less from light than from dark skin!
Circulating vitamin D concentrations differ by skin color: Individuals with darker skin produce less vitamin D with the same amount of sunlight exposure than individuals with lighter skin color [10,12].
Photoprotective Role of Melanin
An SPF of 2 means the doubling of protection of the skin against sunburn. Dark skin, which contains more eumelanin than fair skin is better protected against UV-induced damage, and eumelanin is thought to be superior to pheomelanin in its photoprotective properties.
Vitamin D synthesis is highly dependent on the concentration of melanin in the skin as melanin absorbs and scatters UVR-B, resulting in a less efficient conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol to previtamin D3[3]. Therefore, dark-skinned individuals will experience slower vitamin D synthesis than light-skinned ones.
Black skin, compared with white skin, is generally assumed to be more resistant to the consequences of sun exposure due to its epidermal melanin content. However, recent scientific evidence shows that black skin is not completely impervious to sunlight.
Whilst a 10 micrograms dose may be enough for Caucasians and people with lighter skins, people with dark skin, may need slightly more. In any case, you should talk to your doctor for their advice especially if you consider taking a higher dose than the recommended amount.
Lower vitamin D levels were more common in Black individuals (<20 ng/mL: 829 of 2288 Black individuals [36%]) than White individuals (<20 ng/mL: 315 of 1999 White individuals [16%]).
Melanin is the pigment that provides skin color, and individuals with darker skin have more of it than those with lighter skin. Having more melanin reduces your ability to synthesize vitamin D from the sun, resulting in lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, according to the ODS.
Health experts advise everyone, regardless of skin color, to use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Although dark-skinned people won't get sunburned as quickly, they will still burn and are still susceptible to sun-induced damage—such as sun spots and wrinkles—and cancer .
It is true that Asians have a skin which has a strong natural shield against the sun and their age shows about a decade later than Caucasians — but they still need sunscreen, says a Bangladeshi dermatologist.
Dark-pigmented people living in high sunlight environments are at an advantage due to the high amounts of melanin produced in their skin. The dark pigmentation protects from DNA damage and absorbs the right amounts of UV radiation needed by the body, as well as protects against folate depletion.
Vitamin D deficiency in the Asian Indian immigrant population is attributed to reduced intake of vitamin D (3, 7, 8), increased skin pigmentation (12), consumption of a vegetarian diet (2, 5, 10), and limited exposure to sunlight (13).
Do lighter skin tones need less vitamin D? People with lighter skin don't need less vitamin D, but because their skin can generate vitamin D more quickly, they need less sun exposure. This means that light-skinned people should find it easier to get vitamin D from sunlight between April and September.
Additionally, the amount of sunlight needed varies. Older individuals and dark-skinned people tend to produce less vitamin D in the skin ( 34 , 35 ). However, it doesn't take a lot of sun exposure to make vitamin D, and it's best to limit your time in the sun to 10 to 15 minutes, exposing arms, legs, abdomen, and back.
Having more natural melanin means darker-skinned people tend to develop fewer wrinkles and are less at risk of skin cancer. Skin-lightening creams often aim to interrupt the production of melanin or just improve the general health of the skin.
People with darker skin will tan faster because they have more melanin in their skin. This may make them tan more because sun triggers cells called melanocytes to produce melanin, which makes the skin darker.
IT is not uncommon for two dark skinned persons to have a light skinned baby. Skin colour is a physical characteristic that is determined by genes inherited from one’s parents. However, the actual colour depends on which gene is more dominant.
Low vitamin D is widespread
Among Americans of color, the vitamin D deficiency rate jumps to 70%. Pigment in persons with darker skin blocks sunlight absorption, a key process for vitamin D production.
Again, on day 6, 25-(OH)-D levels of fair-skinned volunteers increased significantly (median: 11.9-14.3 ng/ml, p < 0.0001), but not in black-skinned people (median: 8.60-9.57 ng/ml, p = 0.375). Conclusion: This study suggests that skin pigmentation negatively influences vitamin D synthesis.
Light skin provides better absorption qualities of ultraviolet radiation. This helps the body to synthesize higher amounts of vitamin D for bodily processes such as calcium development.
Dark or bright colors
Darker colors absorb more UV than lighter colors like whites and pastels. This means the UV rays are less likely to reach your skin. But bright colors such as red can also absorb UV rays. The more vivid the color, the greater the protection—a bright yellow shirt is more protective than a pale one.
#1 Salmon This color looks great close to any skin tone: light, medium or dark and will definitely bring out the brightness within the skin. #2 Rose Get a rosy glow with this pinky toned color. #3 Icy, light blue A cool, based color that complements all skin colors and brings out the natural cool tones in the skin…
This is especially true in the scorching summer months, but black really is the best colour to wear in the sun if you want to protect your skin. It's an easy sacrifice to make for your skin's health. Just as important as ensuring we cover up when we spend time exposed to UV Rays is the colours with which we cover up.