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With summer having started and Jamaicans basking in its usual tropical blaze, one of the country's leading dermatologists, Dr Donna Braham, is urging Jamaicans, regardless of skin tone, to treat sun protection as part of daily life.

"Sun protection isn't just for tourists. It's for us every single one of us," Braham said in an interview with THE STAR. Braham said that while melanin-rich skin does offer some defence, it should not be mistaken for immunity.

"We need to move past this idea that having dark skin makes us immune to sun damage," she explained. "Melanin is a gift, yes. But it doesn't make us untouchable. Not from cancer. Not from ageing. Not from the marks we try to bleach away."

Braham recommends using sunscreen every day, reapplying every two hours, especially when outdoors. The sunscreen, she said, should have broad-spectrum sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 to 50.

SPF measures how long a product can guard against UVB rays--the ones that cause sunburn and contribute to skin cancer. Medical guidelines recommend a minimum of SPF 30 for daily use, regardless of skin tone.

Braham also advised staying out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., wearing wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and ultraviolet protection factor-rated clothing, and seeking shade whenever possible.

Braham warned that the idea that melanin-rich skin is an invincible shield against the sun's deadly rays has lulled many into a false sense of security.

"Melanin does give some sun protection," she said, "but only the equivalent of SPF 13 to 15. That is nowhere near the level of protection we actually need."

The consequences of failing to protect the skin are dire.

"Just last week, I saw a dark-skinned gentleman with a large basal cell carcinoma on his face," Braham said. "These cases are more common than people think. We see them regularly."

Unlike in lighter skin, where sun damage often causes visible redness or inflammation, early signs of skin cancer in darker skin can be subtle or appear in unexpected areas.

"Melanomas often show up on the soles of the feet, palms, or under the nails," she said. "And many people assume it's just a mole or beauty spot, not realising that something more serious is happening."

But her message extends beyond the risk of cancer. Many other skin conditions, she said, are worsened by the sun. These include melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and autoimmune conditions like lupus, which can be aggravated both on the skin and internally. For those who use skin-lightening products, turmeric soaps, or kojic acid, Braham has a warning.

"You won't see results without sunscreen," she said plainly. "In fact, sun exposure will reverse everything and often make it worse. Any inflammation from a mosquito bite, a cut, or acne will darken once the skin is exposed to UV."