Melanin does indeed absorb and blunt the effects of UV on human skin. It also lowers vitamin D production in low sunlight climes.
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.
Yeah, the Bedouin cover their heads for sun and sand protection but the Polynesians,South East Asians, central/southern African tribes all don't show any mention of protection from sunlight, they even wear minimal clothing. The only place I see ancient people protecting themselves from sun is in sub Sahara Africa and Middle east
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.