Premature ageing in the skin of white people caused by repeated exposure to the sun also occurs in black skin—though about 50 years later, Medical Xpress reports citing new research.

The team—led by University of Manchester scientists – dispel the myth that people with black skin are largely protected from sun damage because of its high content of pigment.

It has long been known that prolonged exposure to the sun causes premature ageing in skin of white people.

The study of 21 people in their early 20s and 18 people in their 60s and 70s is the first to analyse how skin structure and elasticity changes with age in black people.

Lead researcher Dr. Abigail Langton from The University of Manchester, said: "We know repeated exposure to the sun can age white skin, but very little research has been carried out on black people.

"This research shows that black skin is indeed affected by the sun, though it takes far longer for that effect to be felt."

The research was carried out in partnership with Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, the United States.