Do we need a sunscreen? I've lived in the tropics most of my life and only hearing about sunscreens from Europeans and Americans. Is it due to the white skin or something? I don't understand.
I’m trying to figure out what messed-up melanin strategy freckles are, spot protection?
All this said, sunburns are symptomatic for skin damage that can result in melanoma, and yes, dark skin can burn too, etc…
Sunscreens are relatively recent as far as products go, but mud and mineral skin protection is ancient. Many tribal hunter gatherers use such protection against a variety of threats including sunburn and insect bites.
Have you ever seen someone with a sunburn? It's painful, the skin is red, hot to the touch, and the person feels generally unwell (flu-like symptoms). The skin hurts for days and the it will blister and then peel. The blister/peel stage is extremely itchy.
Wouldn't you want to avoid that if possible? Even ignoring the risk of long term harm.
I prefer wearing long sleeves and a wide brim hat to chemical sunblocks but that is not possible when swimming.
[0]: https://www.weatheronline.co.uk/reports/wxfacts/The-UV-Index...