There are two big myths when it comes to African skin and anti-ageing. The first is that black women don’t suffer the symptoms of ageing like other races do. The second is that darker skin tones don’t need to worry about using sun protection.

Thanks to their ultra-ray shielding melanin filled skin and a naturally more oilier skin production and good genes, black women tend to age better than their paler counterparts. This doesn’t mean they’re immune to Father Time, however!

We’ve all heard the old adage that “black don’t crack,” and for many African women this is true.

Sun damage is one of the main culprits when it comes to ageing skin. UVA and UVB cause photo-ageing, which in turn causes wrinkles and fine lines. As darker skin has more melanin and pigment in it, it’s less likely to suffer the effects of the sun as dramatically as lighter skin tones. The extra melanin acts as built-in sun protection. That’s why women with darker skin tones will usually only start to see wrinkles and fine lines around the age of 50. You may be less prone to sun damage but you’re definitely not exempt. All skin, regardless of colour, will get damaged by the sun. The severity however depends on the tone of our skin. That’s why it’s so important to use suitable sun protection every day, regardless of the weather or your skin tone.

Sure, if your skin tone is dark you may have delayed symptoms of ageing but it doesn’t mean you’re exempt. Black women suffer from sagging skin on their faces due to a loss of volume and collagen. Combat this by using a cream that contains peptides as these help to stimulate collagen production.

Uneven skin tone and pigmentation are another symptom of ageing that many women with dark skin tones may experience. Black skins contain melanosomes or pigment packages within their pigment cells, which are large and more widely spread out. Due to this they can react badly to the smallest irritation. Many opt to use hydroquinone, but this is quite potent and controversial. Opt for something less potent like glycolic acid or retinol. Stop using the product when the darkened area starts to match the surrounding skin.

Did you know about these two major myths? Which are you more surprised to learn is untrue?