In an effort to improve sun protection and curb skin cancer, dermatologists are doing a better job of educating patients of all skin types about the consequences of UV damage. Sunscreen manufacturers also continue to develop more elegant formulations of both chemical and physical blockers that do not leave a whitish hue on darker skin.
But what about some other, lesser-known innovative ways we can protect ourselves without looking chalky?
Just in time for summer, here’s some food for thought.
Strawberries, as well as other darker-colored berries, are known to contain polyphenols that are antioxidants. Researchers in Italy and Spain tested a strawberry extract on cultured human fibroblasts to see whether there was a photoprotective effect. They added strawberry extract in different concentrations (0.05, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/mL) to all but the control group. They then exposed the samples to a dose of UV light "equivalent to 90 minutes of midday summer sun in the French Riviera," said lead investigator Maurizio Battino. Strawberry extract, especially at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL, provided UVA protection, and not only boosted cell survival and viability, but also minimized DNA damage, compared with the effects on control cells (J. Agric. Food Chem. 2012;60:2322-70). Perhaps there will be topical sunscreens that contain strawberry extract in the future.
Other foods high in antioxidants that have been considered to have potential sun-protective benefits include bell peppers (red, yellow, green) and yellow squash (high in carotenoids); tomatoes and watermelon (high in lycopene); dark berries such as blueberries, acai, blackberries, and cranberries (rich in anthocyanin); turmeric root (curcumin); pomegranate (ellagic acid); green and black tea (catechins); dark cocoa (flavenols); green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale (xanthophylls, oxygenated carotenoids); and fish such as mackerel, salmon, trout, herring, and sardines (omega-3 fatty acids).
Of course, just because certain foods have protective benefits does not mean we can advise patients to eat some fruits and veggies and then go lie in the sun sans sunscreen. These foods are not a replacement for the more common methods of sun protection, but they certainly contribute to overall health and, by extension, to healthy skin of all types.
This column, "Skin of Color," appears regularly in Skin & Allergy News, a publication of Frontline Medical Communications. Dr. Wesley practices dermatology in Beverly Hills, Calif. Scan the QR code to read this column online at edermatologynews.com.
Do you have questions about treating patients with dark skin? If so, send them to sknews@frontlinemedcom.com.