As a child growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, warm weather was a year round constant, and spending hours outside was simply part of daily life. It wasn’t until moving to New York City as an adult that the writer, a 44 year old Black mother, learned how much she didn’t know about protecting melanin rich skin from the sun. Her skin tone shifted noticeably between winter and summer, and she discovered that yes, she could get sunburned.
Now a parent, she has made it her mission to teach her children proper sun care. But misinformation about sunscreen and darker skin remains widespread among caregivers, teachers, camp staff and even parents themselves. That gap in knowledge can leave children exposed to discomfort, long-term skin issues and habits that follow them into adulthood.
Research published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2019 found that Black people are far less likely to develop melanoma than white people, largely because melanin offers natural protection from ultraviolet rays. Still, Black patients who are diagnosed with the disease tend to have a lower five year survival rate, in part because detection can be inconsistent when providers are less familiar with how skin cancer presents in darker tones.
To separate fact from fiction, board certified dermatologist Brianna Olamiju, a Yale School of Medicine graduate and specialist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City, weighed in on five persistent myths about sun protection for Black children.
1. Melanin means sunscreen isn’t necessary
This is one of the most common misconceptions Olamiju encounters. Melanin provides some natural defense against UV rays, but it isn’t a complete barrier. Black children can still experience sunburn, changes in pigmentation, early signs of aging skin and a higher chance of certain skin cancers. Olamiju compares melanin to an umbrella helpful, but not enough protection to stand outside in a storm without additional coverage like sunscreen, shade or protective clothing.
2. Black children can’t get sunburned
Sunburn in Black children can be harder to spot because the skin may not visibly redden the way lighter skin does. Instead, parents should watch for warmth, tenderness, swelling, peeling, itching or tightness. Paying attention to how a child’s skin feels, not just how it looks, is key to catching sunburn early.
3. Sun related skin changes look the same across all skin tones
Sun exposure affects children of every skin tone, but the visible signs vary. In children with darker skin, UV exposure more often triggers changes in pigmentation, including areas of darker discoloration, uneven tone or lingering marks after irritation. Because many providers and families are trained to recognize sun related skin changes primarily on lighter skin, these signs can go unnoticed in children of color. The face, ears, neck, shoulders, chest and the tops of the hands tend to show the earliest changes from repeated sun exposure, with the ears often overlooked during sunscreen application.
4. No white residue means the sunscreen isn’t effective
A visible cast left behind by sunscreen has nothing to do with how well it works. That residue typically comes from mineral ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which can be more noticeable on deeper skin tones. A product’s effectiveness depends on its formulation and consistent use, not its appearance on the skin.
5. Sunscreen is only needed at the beach or pool
UV exposure adds up over time through everyday activities such as walking to school, playing outside or practicing sports, not just vacations or swimming. Building a daily sunscreen habit early can shape lifelong sun protection.
What to look for in a sunscreen
Olamiju recommends choosing a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, one that is water resistant for swimming or sweating and formulated to be gentle and fragrance free, particularly for children with sensitive skin or eczema. The most effective sunscreen, she notes, is ultimately the one a child will actually wear consistently. Texture and comfort matter just as much as ingredients when it comes to building that habit.
As summer continues, sun protection remains an essential part of every child’s routine. For Black children especially, informed sunscreen habits can make a lasting difference in skin health, and understanding these myths is the first step toward better care for kids of every skin tone.
