06.12.12
In an effort to increase awareness that people of color are not immune to melanoma and other skin diseases, L’Oréal hosted a press event on June 12 at its New York City headquarters to unveil new findings on the topic. Due to objective methods to measure skin color developed by L’Oréal Research & Innovation, L’Oréal has been able to demonstrate that sun exposure risks affect all skin types and skin colors, according to the company.
“The lack of skin cancer recognition in patients of color is a problem and poses a serious health threat if left untreated,” said Dr. Wendy Roberts, medical director of Desert Dermatology Skin Institute in Rancho Mirage, CA, who spoke at the event. “When detected early, skin cancer is highly curable. That’s why people of color need to be aware of their risk and be vigilant about protecting their skin from the sun, as well as seeking help with skin lesions that do not heal.”
The study from L’Oréal Research & Innovation demonstrated that the highest risk of DNA damages was in light to tan skin, which includes most Hispanics and some African-Americans.
For more on this presentation, look for a feature story on Happi.com.