Métisse: Health and Beauty>Skin Care

Dermatologist, Dr. Stanley B. Levy, Explains Sun Risks for Métisse Women

The sun poses more problems then we probably care to consider. We all love to be out in it but we may be ignoring its potential for damaging our skin. Most women with light skin tones, light hair and blue, green or gray eyes know from experience that they must protect themselves. We have heard the warnings before from our mothers and we have been informed about the dangerous consequences of too much sun: premature aging of the skin that causes wrinkling, freckling, prominent blood vessels and coarsening of skin texture. These conditions can lead to the formation of pre-cancerous growths and an increased risk of developing skin cancer, especially later in life.

However, it seems that we have not heard enough about how to protect intermediate or darker skin types. What should métisse women do to protect their skin? Well, remember that just because you are olive skinned or light brown skinned with medium to dark eyes does not mean that one should forget about sun protection. If your complexion is similar to Paula Abdul, Beyoncé, Alicia Keys or even Halle Berry you still need to know about protecting your skin from the sun.

Métisse Magazine Online had an interview with noted dermatologist Dr. Stanley B. Levy in order to get the facts. Dr. Levy is a private physician as well as a clinical professor of dermatology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. He says that the main preventive strategy that doctors are promoting these days is the use of sunscreens to cut down on the harmful effects of the sun’s rays. He warns that although people with fairer or lighter skin are generally more sun sensitive, people with darker skin tones can still see adverse effects from the sun in the long term.

People with intermediate skin tones will notice that when they develop other skin problems, eczema or other skin inflammations, it may happen that when these begin to heal that young women may find increased pigmentation in the affected areas. This could apply to common acne lesions on the face as well as other parts of the body. All these kinds of discolorations are aggravated by sun exposure. This happens in our youth but the results will present themselves as we move toward middle age.

In addition, métisse women should be aware that the issue of irregular pigmentation, where the skin is both lighter and darker, will be aggravated by the sun’s ultraviolet light but not necessarily caused by it. “Drugs, like antibiotics such as tetracycline or sulfa drugs, birth control pills or blood pressure medicine can add to the sensitivity your skin has to the sun or be the catalyst for irregular pigmentations. This can happen no matter what the skin type,” adds Levy.

Therefore, Dr. Levy suggests “it is important to find a sunscreen that fits your skin type and to become faithful to it. They can be used as a moisturizer under makeup, or use stick forms for lips or waterproof versions for use on the beach, boat or around the pool.” Dr. Levy adds, “Remember, when it comes to the sun—the tan may fade but the damage you incur from too much sun in your youth remains forever.”

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CareFair: CareFair specializes in skin care information for all kinds of skin. They also provide information and products on hair care.

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