Do Africans/Black people need sunscreen?
“I’m black. I don’t need sunscreen.”
If I had a dollar for every time I have heard this I would be chilling by the seaside in Seychelles, sipping a cocktail and competing with Alhaji Dangote for his position on the Forbes list.
A lot of us (black folks) don’t think that we need to wear sunscreen. The argument is that our melanin protects us from the sun and the havoc it can wreak. Parts of that statement are correct but it is not correct in totality. Sun exposure can lead to a range of conditions from hyperpigmentation of the skin all the way to skin cancer. While melanin does protect Africans (and those of African descent) from the sun’s rays more than, say, an Asian or European, it only gives about SPF13-SPF15 protection and this doesn’t block the harmful effects of the sun.
There can be abnormal melanocytes formed and distributed in the skin. This is called dyspigmentation.
If you take nothing away from this post, please take this away: black people can and do suffer from skin cancer.
Bathing Newborn Nigerian Babies
Recently, while doing my Facebook rounds, I came upon a post by an African American who had posted pictures of her newborn being stretched, hung upside down and so on by a Chiropractor. The more I looked at those pictures, the more familiar the technique appeared to me.
- Baby held upside down by her ankles.
- Baby's head pressed gently in a sort of massaging motion
TRS “Gari” being sold in shops in Nigeria
Last weekend, the picture below started making its way around social media with a lot of people asking why NAFDAC would permit Garri to be imported into the country.
I have a few things to say:
I know that at this point, we are horrified, especially with the state of the economy, and we are looking for someone to blame but NAFDAC’s job does not involve deciding what to let in and what not to. They regulate Food and Drug Products in terms of their manufacture. They are just to determine whether the companies that are bringing in these products are doing a good job of manufacturing. C’est fini! We need to find another whipping boy to blame for permitting this into the country.
Things I am loving this Month – October, 2016
I'm bringing this series back, because in this Made in Nigeria dispensation, there is a lot to love and share.
Nigerian Foods – Dried Okro
The idea of a new series on the blog came up a few weeks ago when I went to the market and posted a picture of something I found which I had no previous knowledge of. It was dried okro. I had never seen it before, certainly never tasted it. I came across it by happenstance as I ventured into a part of the market I had never been in before. It never occurred to me that anyone would dry okro, since the fresh ones are always available.
Solar Powered home in Lagos, Nigeria
I am very happy this morning. Resigning from my job means that I actually have to LIVE in my apartment. I am staying in the same apartment and all, but I always felt that it wasn't a HOME. More like a
Bitter Kola Nut – benefits to health and more
English Names: - Bitter Kola, False Kola Nigerian Names: Bini - Edun. Efik - Efiari. Ibibio - Efiat. Igbo - Akilu, Aki-unu, Adi, Akara-inu, Ogolu. Ijaw - Okan I was given a care pack from the East recently. My package included Cocoyam, Palm
Natural Nigerian – Katharine
Afriville – A place to hangout!
A few months ago, a lady that I am proud to call friend, opened up a lovely "African Resource Center" in Surulere called Afriville. I love the fact that this place is on the mainland. If it was a bit bigger we would have held a meet up there.
Natural Nigerian Bride – Rachel Ocheja