Tips on caring for dark skin
Researchers have concluded that people who live along the Equator age faster than those who live further away from it. This is due to “photo ageing” attributed to proximity to the sun. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- As a result, people in equatorial regions are endowed with dark melanin-rich skin to provide natural protection from the sun’s harmful rays.
- The effect of skin lighteners on people living near the equator is often disastrous. Sunburn, discolouration, welts, skin cancer, premature aging, and so forth, occur when the protective melanin is destroyed.
Researchers have concluded that people who live along the Equator age faster than those who live further away from it.
This is due to “photo ageing” attributed to proximity to the sun.
As a result, people in equatorial regions are endowed with dark melanin-rich skin to provide natural protection from the sun’s harmful rays.
The Kenyan weather is excellent despite the fact that we straddle the Equator. However, we are not spared the effects of the equatorial sun.
For this reason, it is imperative to use sunblock with at least a sun protection factor of 15.
The effect of skin lighteners on people living near the equator is often disastrous. Sunburn, discolouration, welts, skin cancer, premature aging, and so forth, occur when the protective melanin is destroyed.
Products that are designed for people who live in the temperate and cooler zones are hardly useful for those living within the unique equatorial climate.
The best products for dark skin are those that our ancestors once used. They are derived naturally from tropical plants.
These are mostly plant oils such as coconut, shea butter, cocoa butter, soy bean oil, sunflower oil and other related oils. These work best to protect and repair the skin during and after exposure to the sun.
