In preparation for meeting my daughter in Africa, I packed everything I could possibly think of, including sunscreen. It’s hot in Africa! This item became a topic of conversation with the three other couples we traveled with. The main topic of the conversation was “do black people need sunscreen?”
With summer in full swing, parents who have adopted transracially may be asking the same question. On blogs, forums and websites, I have found somewhat conflicting information. The easier questions to answer are: can black people get too much sun? Or can black people get skin cancer? The answer to both of these questions is YES. As for sunscreen specifically, that may depend on your opinion of whether or not the ingredients in the sunscreen are more harmful than the exposure to the sun. For many, sunscreen, hats and sunglasses are great summer essentials.
What are your go-to tips for being sun-safe?