According to British experts, this is because of your relative genetic lack of melanin, which puts you at greater risk of damaging your skin.

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Melanin is the dark-brown to black pigment that occurs in the hair, the skin, and the eyes.

Production of melanin by the so-called melanocytes in the epidermis of the skin is increased by the action of sunlight (producing tanning), which protects the underlying skin layers from the sun's radiation.

"How well a tan develops is built in from birth," write the authors of Understanding your skin: sunlight & skin cancer.

You were born with one of the following skin types:

• Type I: Always burns, rarely tans
• Type II: Usually burns, sometimes tans
• Type III: Sometimes burns, usually tans
• Type IV: Rarely burns, always tans
• Type V: Brown skin, very rarely burns
• Type VI: Black skin, virtually never burns

"People with types I, II and III tend to burn easily and tan poorly, being at greatest risk from the adverse long-term skin effects of sunlight – namely photoageing and cancer; those with types IV, V and VI are relatively protected, except for a tendency to photoageing," the authors write.

Photoageing refers to dryness, brown and red blotchiness, sagging and wrinkling of the skin.

Reference:
Hawk, J.L.M. McGregor, J. (2000-2005) Understanding your skin: sunlight & skin cancer. Family Doctor Publications.
 

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