press samples, own purchase
May is Melanoma Awareness Month. As a beauty enthusiast and skincare advocate, I have covered skin cancer prevention numerous times on the blog. Melanoma is a deadly form of skin cancer; caught late, survival rate is markedly diminished. Statistically, more than 76,000 Americans are diagnosed with melanoma each year. It is also the most common cancer-related diagnosis among young adults (source, Melanoma Research Alliance). Unlike other forms of cancer, melanoma is highly preventable, only if you take skincare seriously. Here are ways to keep the largest organ of our body in check:
1. Wear sunscreen. The beauty industry exploded the use of such in a positive way. Moisturizers, foundations, serums, lotions, lipsticks, there’s a plethora of choices out there, be it drugstore or high-end brand. So let’s do a quick review of terminologies. UVA rays are responsible for premature wrinkles and photoaging while UVB rays contribute to sunburn and skin cancer. SPF numbers shouldn’t be confused with strength but rather length of protection. Meaning, if your skin reddens in 15 minutes without protection, SPF 25 will protect you 25 times longer or 375 minutes. Reapplication is highly encouraged especially if you’re out in the sun longer than usual.
2. Learn the warning signs, ABCDE. Do you have moles you can quickly check now? look for Asymmetry (if you draw a line vertically or horizontally, do the sides match? if one is bigger than the other, it’s asymmetrical); check the Border (irregular borders raise a flag); inspect the Color (most benign moles have one color, if yours have multiple shades of brown and black, it’s a warning sign); measure the Diameter (malignant moles are larger than benign, usually 6 mm or more); Evolving (change in size, color, bleeding, itching).
3. Avoid tanning beds at all cost. Indoor tanning increases the risk of melanoma by 75%
4. Know your risk factors. Fair-skinned, history of sun overexposure and familial skin cancer are some of the most common risk factors. It doesn’t hurt to get an annual check with your doctor or dermatologist.
5. Be in the know. Seek shade between 10 am to 4 pm and wear protective clothing and accessories such as wide brimmed hat and UV- blocking sunnies.
Any tips you’d like to add?
Thank you for this! Point #2 was so helpful to me!!!
Great tips, I wish I had not been into tanning beds in my 20s :/.
Great tips to remember during the summer months, and all year long.
#2 is a great tip! Thank you for helping to educate us and remind us Kath, it's so important!!
I wish I had known all this decades ago. We spent hours and hours in the sun baking and trying to get as dark as possible. All I got was freckles and sunburns. Thanks for the wonderful tips.
Great tips! I have never been into tanning beds, but I have history of sun overexposure as a teen…. and more than once.
Great tips. I love that dermalogica cream.
Pale person living in Arizona. Sunscreen and shade are my life! lol
Amazing tips! Sunscreen is a huge must!
I'm loving the Murad Day Moisture! SPF all day every day!
My husband keeps having to be checked for melanoma and I'm a nag when it comes to him and sunscreen. The last time they found a spot on his ear. We all need to be more vigilant about this.
Definitely check out weird growths with your doctor. My dad had a stye on his eyelid for years that he kept ignoring, and I finally MADE him go to the doctor. It turned out to be skin cancer, and if it had metastasized, the doctor said it was dangerously close to his brain. Thankfully, it was caught and removed in time.
Great tips for everyone. I'm not so great at remembering to reapply. but on the upside, I avoid the sun!
I'm very thankful I wasn't that attracted to tanning beds when I was younger! I went a few times my senior year right before Prom just to give me a little color…. and that was more than enough!
These are all great tips!
Excellent tips, twinsy! We are always on the same page! This is such an important post, and for everyone not just people like you and me who live in Hawaii and LA!
GREAT POST! I am so amazed at how many people do not protect themselves with SPF / Sunscreen. I talk to many on a daily and they are telling me this and with our Earth and Ozone depleting…. the sun is stronger than ever. It's so important.
Great tips mama! I need a couple of those! 😀
What great tips, #2 is one that I've seen some points of, but the ABCDE makes it easier to remember!