Hair does not protect itself as skin does. UV radiation from the sun cause skin and hair damage. Melanin absorbs and scatters UV rays, keeping them away from the delicate DNA of your cells...More> Darker skin is protective against harmful effects of sunlight because it is harder for rays to reach skin pigment. However, darker skin also means less protection against warm rays when it is sunny out. This can lead to premature aging and cancer. As you age, your skin produces less melanin. This is why older people tend to look lighter than they are. The more white you are, the more UV radiation you're exposed to. This is why it is important to wear sunscreen even when you are indoors or outside during daylight hours. People with dark skin have two options: use cosmetics that contain UV filters such as oxybenzone or other chemicals; or go without sunlight entirely. Neither of these solutions is ideal. Using products with UV filters may cause other problems for those who are already at risk of developing cancers. And no one should be forced to stay in the dark forever. Going without sunlight could lead to vitamin D deficiency which could have serious health consequences for you. Luckily, most people need only apply a reasonable amount of sunscreen to get the required protection.