Why?
Although the melanin in our skin does give us some protection, the environment has changed and it is affecting the efficiency of our (brown folks) natural sun block.
According to the Mayo Clinic, people with dark skin may not sunburn as easily as those with fair skin, but they are still at risk of skin damage from excessive sun exposure.
Skin color is determined by the number, distribution and type of pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) in the skin. Dermatologists refer to the degrees of pigmentation in skin as “skin types.” Skin types range from very little pigment (type 1) to very darkly pigmented (type 6).
People with light skin types have a much higher incidence of skin cancer than do people with dark skin types. But dark skin is not a guarantee against skin cancer. People with dark skin, hair and eyes can — and do — get skin cancer. Particularly vulnerable areas include under the fingernails and toenails, on the palms of the hands and on the soles of the feet — where skin is lighter.