Amazingly, many African-Americans still believe that black people don’t get sunburned and don’t need sunscreen. In fact, a number of folks don’t even have a strong skincare routine because they believe -- like most of us do -- that black don’t crack.

Well, dermatologist Susan Taylor, creator of Rx for Brown Skin, a collection of cleansers, toners and moisturizers designed to treat skin of color, said that even with the abundance of melanin with which African-Americans are blessed, it still pays to take care of one’s skin.

Taylor told BlackAmericaWeb.com that while there is no evidence that skin cancer is on the rise among African-Americans, “compared to Caucasian skin, it is diagnosed late and hence African-Americans have a higher death rate from melanoma than others.”

In a 2001 study reported in the Journal of Surgical Oncology, African-Americans are less likely to get melanoma -- the deadliest form of skin cancer -- but when they do, it is often deadlier. According to the study, black Americans have a 45 percent survival rate at five years, compared to 69 percent for whites. The signs of melanoma appear more frequently on sun-exposed areas in white people, but in African-Americans melanoma lesions show up on the extremities, especially the soles of feet or palms of the hands.

“It is most important to diagnose it early, and this involves recognizing that melanoma occurs on palms, soles, fingernails and mucous membranes. These areas must be checked regularly,” Taylor said.

And medium- to dark-skinned African Americans need sunscreen just as much as their lighter-skinned brethren.

“Everyone needs sunscreen,” Taylor said. “Even medium- and dark-skinned people can sustain a sunburn and don't forget, hyperpigmentation (dark marks) can become darker with sun exposure.”

Taylor said everyone should have routine dermatalogical exams, the same way one would have an annual physical or visit to the dentist.

“This is very important and should occur yearly,” she said. “In particular, tell your doctor to look at your palms, soles, fingernails and mucous membranes.”

The cancer study reviewed melanoma patient cases from 1975 to 1997 at the Charity Hospital of New Orleans. Researchers studied at age, race, gender, where the cancers were on the patients’ bodies, how far the cancer had spread and how long they lived.

“Of 198 melanoma patients, 44 were African-Americans. Of these, 25 were diagnosed with melanoma located on the skin. These patients were compared to 80 white patients with the same skin cancer type.

“The researchers found that African-American males were four times more likely to have this type of skin cancer than African-American females,” according to the Journal of Surgical Oncology.

According to the report, half of the black patients lived less than 45 months; the other half lived longer than 45 months. White patients’ survival rate was 135 months. Whites were almost four times more likely to be diagnosed with early, treatable disease.

The white and black people in the study had similar economic status and access to health care, but researchers discovered African-Americans came in later for an examination, regardless of economic status and that the cancer had spread further by the time they sought help.

In a separate interview earlier this year, Arnold Ravick, a podiatrist in private practice in Washington, D.C., and a spokesman for the American Medical Podiatric Association, told BlackAmericaWeb.com a podiatrist can detect skin problems, especially skin cancer, during a foot exam.

“We see a lot of skin changes because people won’t put sunblock on their feet. Their feet are exposed, especially in the summer, because they’re wearing sandals. People, especially black people, think they can’t get sunburned,” Ravick said. “It’s not true. Skin is skin.”

Regardless of how much or how little sun you expect to encounter, Taylor said African-Americans should use sunscreen daily, apply it 20 minutes before going out in the sun, use an SPF of 15 and reapply after 20 minutes.

“They should really be applying sunscreen even when they are not in the sun to create a healthy routine,” she said.

Taylor said African-Americans should just get into a healthier routine when it comes to taking care of their skin.

The most common mistake black people make, she said, is “rubbing and scrubbing their skin while washing. Vigorous washing will worsen acne, irritate the skin and often make dark marks worse.”

Women, who often take good care of their faces, but not the rest of their bodies should exercise gentle skin care, moisturize daily if needed and exfoliate their feet daily, Taylor said.

Many men don't bother with a skin care regimen because they think that's just a routine for women. But brothers need to give their skin some TLC, too, especially when shaving, Taylor said.

“I recommend using a toner every day and moisturizing, especially after shaving," she said. "It is an extra step, but exfoliating with a scrub occasionally to help unclog pores is a good idea -- because they tend to get inflamed after shaving.”