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But you forget one fundamental difference in our ancestors skin colour: they were black. Black people have a natural UVB protection of SPF 15 (meaning they can filter 93% of damaging UVB rays, and SPA 5,5 of UVA protevtion (83,5% protection.) as oppossed to UVB prot. of SPF 5 and UVA prot. of SPA 1.8 in white people :(
Fair enough, but I think it was missleading when you said "millennia". The evidence we have for at least the last twenty thousand years points to varied skin colours. It would have been a very, very long time ago that there were only humans with such heavily pigmented skin, and for this time, there is no physical evidence of this (we can only speculate by studying modern populations). You need to quantify your statements a little better before making blanket ones. You are talking hundreds of millennia ago. Sorry if there was any misunderstanding.
Sun protection is a big issue for me certainly, as I am a very white Australian. (White skin, hair and green eyes).
The only problem I have with sunscreens is their inconvenience in application, as one has to constantly reapply. It is not much effort if you think of the dangers, but every day, three times a day (more if you swim a lot like me) can be a little inconvenient.
With that amount of application, it starts to concern me that it would interfere with skin care regimes. Worth it? Probably. Convenient? No.
Hi Grail!
True, I was mostly thinking of our ancestors when they were migrating out of Africa.
20 000y ago "white" people lived mostly on the continent of Europe where climate was very rainy with a lot of clouds (filtering UVB-rays). And the truth is these people lived in forests for being not so vulnerable for other tribes. Forests are the most efficient way of filtering UV-rays (when it comes to nature).
What one should keep in mind that modern humans changed their habit of how to relate to the Sun, we also live longer and live under different climate (where our skin cannot function fully when it comes to protecting us from UV-rays.) This is also the biggest issue in Australia where the number of skin-cancer patients are still on the rise and world leading :( Why?
Because white skin is not genetically programmed to withstand tropical amount of UV-rays :( (Like the indigenous people`s skin is).
Imagine, in the UK the skin has 1\3 of the exposure to UV light compared to Australia. But the skin is genetically the same :( Basically the people living in Australia with the same type of skin are genetically the same as the English living in rainy Britain: of course there are more incidents of skin cancer then anywhere else in the world:(
But the good news is that in Australia you have very good sunscreens available!!!
I understand your concern about sunscreens and their usage. And I would be lying if I said that it is nothing :( The fact is that today’s sunscreen products are difficult and time consuming things to apply :( Therefore you should choose a consistency that is quickly absorbed by your skin without leaving any oily residue while protecting fully against the harmful rays. I think Nivea Light Sensation sunscreen SPF 30 is the best option today! And you can buy it in AU!!! You can put a small amount in a jar and carry it with you so you can reapply during the day.
The truth is that the consistency of this sunscreen is more like a good veil that leaves the skin looking flawless like a good make-up
So actually you not only looking better but protect your skin in the same time! (Which will make that you`ll need less cosmetics products later in life
Sunscreens are one way to protect our skin from the sun. And undoubtedly not the best way either:( The best is definitely avoiding sun-exposure, protecting the skin with clothes; wide brimmed hat, sunglasses and applying sunscreen to areas that cannot be protected otherwise.
Have a look at this:
SunSmart - Slip | Slop | Slap | Seek shade | Slide on sunnies - SunSmart
http://www.cancersa....x/sunsmart.aspxBritish Skin Foundation
http://www.britishsk...ard.aspx?id=398