New York's parks are taking a stand against skin cancer

Skin cancer is one of the more common forms of cancer in the U.S., and also one of the most preventable forms of the disease. For ethnic women, using a skin care product for black skin with added SPF for sun protection is one way to possibly lower one's risk of developing the condition.

In New York City new measures are being implemented to help people avoid sun exposure. Thanks to a grant from the American Academy of Dermatology, many of the cities parks will now have shade structures that individuals can sit under and avoid UV rays.

Additionally, structures will come with signs that teach people about the importance of skin care, especially in the summer months. Among the recommendations the sign will make is to wear sunscreen, wear protective clothing and seek shade often.

The Skin Cancer Foundation warns people to seek shade under a structure rather than a tree to ensure they are truly hidden from sun exposure.

Broadway actress Jane White exuded confidence in her own skin

The New York Times recently ran a profile on Jane White, an African American theatre actress who overcame adversity to become a successful performer. The daughter of a civil rights activist, White experienced racism due to the color and tone of her skin.

“I’ve just always been too ‘white’ to be ‘black’ and too ‘black’ to be ‘white,’ which, you know, gets to you after a while, particularly when the roles keep passing you by,” said White, quoted by the news source.

White didn't let these obstacles hold her down, and over the years she proved herself to be an incredible talent. She eventually learned to embrace the color of her skin, and refused to allow directors or producers disguise her as a race that she was not.

Playbill reported that in 1979 White starred in her own one-woman show, where she discussed her struggles and the importance of being confident in herself. The actress passed away on July 24th at the age of 88 after years of entertaining audiences.

Ethnic women looking to feel as confident in their skin as White should consider using skin care products for black skin to give their appearance a healthy glow.

Green tea protects the skin while potentially preventing cancer

For years, there have been studies about the benefits of green tea. From its possible cancer protecting abilities to its benefits with weight loss, it's clear that green tea is a unique kind of drink. What many people may not realize is the potential of green tea extract to protect the skin.

According to WebMD, an article published in the Archives of Dermatology found that skin care products that contain green tea extract can be beneficial to the skin.

"Of all the antioxidants known to mankind, the components of green tea are the most potent," said Hasan Mukhtar, PhD, quoted by the medical website. "Antioxidants are those agents which can counteract the effects of oxidant or 'free' radicals."

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports that green tea extract has been used to help treat a variety of cancers including breast and skin. The organization reports that they support research to determine all of the potential benefits of green tea.

Ethnic women looking to get some of the benefits of this beverage while giving their skin a healthy glow should consider using African American skin care products with green tea extract. 

No matter what age, beauty is still important

Older women want to look their best, too. Just because a woman's getting older doesn't mean they are giving up on beauty. A recent study conducted at Baylor University found that greater body satisfaction in older adults reduces symptoms of depression.

The study found that increasing activity and taking care of appearance, along with having positive health benefits, can also improve a person's mood.

"It was interesting that even though body appearance satisfaction seems to be more important for younger populations, especially women, it is still important and relevant among older adults," said study author Dr. Renee Umstattd, assistant professor of health education at Baylor.

Although previous research had shown that as people age, bodily function becomes more important than appearance, these findings suggest that along with joint function, what individuals look like is still a key part of improving confidence and decreasing depression.

Older ethnic women interested in maintaining their glowing skin should consider using African American skin care products to boost their confidence at any age.