To what extent does melanin protect the skin from UVB rays? Do black women really need sun protection, especially if the weather where they live is not too hot or sunny? Is it true that black skin can withstand harsh climatic conditions? Does black skin not crack?

At a Focus Group Discussion in Nairobi, Kenya, a raging debate ensues on the relevance of Sun Protection Factor (SPF) in body lotions and face creams for African women. There is a belief among some women that black skin has enough melanin to resist damage from the sun. Others feel that they only need to wear sunscreen during extremely hot seasons or when they travel to hot areas such as the Kenyan coast. One woman quietly follows the animated debate between one camp of respondents who are adamant that African skin could and should withstand sunrays of whatever levels and the other camp that believes there might be need to wear sunscreen but only on extremely hot days. The skillful moderator notices her quiet demeanor and prompts her to share her opinion. She begins to speak in a soft tone sharing that she wears sunscreen daily, and that failure to do so leads to terrible sunburn. All eyes in the room shift to her face, almost betraying the thoughts running through their minds that perhaps the soft spoken lady does not have enough melanin to protect her. She continues to speak softly but confidently and by the time she is done sharing her knowledge including giving real life examples, a considerable number of them have changed their mind. They now want to have a product with at least SPF20 in their daily moisturisers and at least SPF40 for when the days are hotter. Does black therefore crack? What are your beliefs and experiences?