Hello lovely readers. I typically like to keep this blog pretty lighthearted and fun, but this is an issue I’m so passionate about that it’s hard for me not to preach about it.
WARNING, I’M ABOUT TO PREACH!
Skin Cancer. The rates are higher than ever before. In fact, research suggests that people who start using sunbeds under the age of 35 increase their risk of malignant melanoma (skin cancer) by 75 percent.
75 percent. Think about that number.
I worked at a tanning salon for more than 4 years through some of high school and college. Living in Canada, tanning felt so amazing in the winter months and I loved having color on my skin. It was addictive. I never felt “dark enough,” and I loved the feeling of laying in a warm tanning bed.
If I knew then what I know now, I would have never tanned in beds, and I never would have told so many people how “healthy” it was for them. I feel disgusted that I used to tell people that tanning was good for their skin and prevented cancer because of the vitamin D you get. I wanted to believe it was true, but it simply isn’t. Tanning causes premature aging and melanoma, bottom line.
Now I do know better, and I’ve never stepped foot into a tanning bed since. I wear sunscreen in the sun (most of the time SPF 30-70, depending on the situation.) I’m so passionate about this issue because I feel the need to “make right” all of the very wrong information I used to “teach” people about indoor tanning.
Tanned skin- so gorgeous, yet so bad for you. Gorgeous tans come in bottles too!
I have skin cancer checks each year. My skin check for 2009 was today. Basically it involves visiting your dermatologist, stripping down, and having every piece of skin on your body examined for irregularities, moles etc. The dermatologist will take note of any suspicious areas they would like to “watch” (meaning seeing if the mole changes in size, color, etc.)
Ladies, I can’t stress this enough- these skin checks are not only important, but can be life-saving. Catching a melanoma early has a much higher survival rate. When it’s too advanced, it is just devastating.
So, have you seen your dermatologist for a skin-check this year? If not, please book an appointment as soon as your schedule permits, and make a commitment to yourself, your skin (and your life.)
You can self-check your body and look for these signs to see if you have any suspicious moles:
I truly believe in being proactive about any aspect of your health, not just when it comes to skin cancer. A lot of people hate going to the doctor because they are nervous or embarrassed, but trust me, your doctor has seen and heard much worse than what you’re showing or describing to him or her. Much worse.
Though I no longer use tanning beds, I still love to have color on my skin. I switched exclusively to self tanners and haven’t looked back! Click here to read about my favorite self tanners.
I saw this postcard on PostSecret last Sunday, and I have to say this: Maybe some people can’t take people who use self-tanner seriously, but hey, it’s better than frying your skin in the sun all day and risking cancer and wrinkles. I actually respect it more when women choose the bottle over the bed. It shows me they care about their health and their skin.
Thank you to everyone who read this far, I appreciate you taking the time to read about something I’m so passionate about. Please ask your loved ones to have their skin checked too. You could help save someone’s life, or your own.
Do you get your skin checked for cancer each year? Are you a converted tanning-bed-a-holic like me?
xoxo,
Veronika.
PS- while at the dermatologist, I also got a prescription for Tazorac for fine lines (a retinol treatment) and also for Latisse. I’m not sure if I’m going to try the Latisse yet. I’d love to but I’m not 100% on it just yet. Have you used it?
PSS- Just to clarify, I still do “lay out” in the sun occasionally in the summer by the pool. I wear SPF, a BIG wide-brimmed hat and BIG sunglasses too. I enjoy the sun, I’m just smart about it, especially when it comes to my face.
I used to work at a tanning salon too so I know how horrible you feel about telling people that they should tan. when I look back at pictures I am disgusted at how dark and uneven my skin looked.
However, I'm not going to lie…I just started tanning 2x a week because I have psoriosis and it's the only thing that gets rid of my scaly patches, but I only go for 5 minutes, wear sunscreen on my face, and I plan to stop after my wedding in 2 months!
Preach it honey!
I'm anti bed now, but I still can't stay away from the beach -its in my blood (i'm a born and raised beach baby)… but I make sure to slather on the spf.
re: latisse – i won't go near it. I have blue eyes and the last thing I want is potential permanent discoloration, if I already had brown eyes and that wasn't an issue maybe I'd think about it, who knows, but I don't so it's a no go.
I used tazorac years ago and loved it! Now I use a similar treatment because I find it beneficial to change formulas every now and then. Thanks for posting about skin cancer!! My father has had several sections on his face removed that were malignant… not fun at all. I'll take the bottle tan any day!! To be honest, I thinkt hat with the right formula and careful application, you can get a tan that no one will "know" is fake. People that can 'spot' them can simply spot a bad one, imo.
Great post Veronika! I used to use tanning beds intermittently until my dad scared me away from them. He survived stage I melanoma, as did my grandfather and uncle. It is scary stuff! Thanks for posting this.
Oh, and I, too, am staying away from latisse. I don't want to even risk the discoloration. From reviews and photos, the results seem to look a little odd, too. The lashes that grow look a little off for some reason.
Hey Veronika, It's Joanna !
I just want to comment on this post as I work in cancer care and specifically work with palliative or terminal patients. I'm so proud of you for posting this link! Working in the field I do I can tell you I see first hand the devastation that metastatic melanoma causes in people, and young people especially. I won't go in to detail, but it is a terrible terrible disease. And completely preventable ! Thankyou for increasing awareness and being so proactive about your health !!
xoxoxo
Veronika, I am so glad you touched on this issue, it has reminded me that I need to make an appointment to see one ASAP. I have fair skin and red hair, so I'm automatically at high risk, and I do have some moles on my back that have looked slightly irregular. Hopefully it's nothing serious, but it definitely gets me thinking that I need to book that appointment!
Hi Veronika!
I am an avid reader of your blog- I love the posts. Love you style, and can't wait to buy that pink cardigan you bought with the roses.
This post on Melanoma really struck a cord with me. My mother died in 2007 of Metastic Melanoma, she was 43 years old. Had never stepped into a tanning bed, didn't lay in the sun and always wore sunscreen. You are 100% correct when you mention that you should wear sunscreen everyday. I am checked at regular intervals yearly because of my mom and have actually had a few biopsies (I'm 23). I am so thankful for my dermatologist and feel like I am protecting my future with one simple visit. WE need to be proactive in this fight… be sun smart all the time, no matter what.
Ladies, melanoma is virtually preventable if you take care of your skin, it is the biggest organ we have. Be smart, use preventive measures (regular appointments with a dermatologist), and most importantly WEAR SUNSCREEN! Thank you Veronika for bringing this issue into the light!
XO Jenn
I can't stay away from the sun completely, but I do my best to wear sunscreen. Such an important thing, and easy!
thank you to everyone who shared their story. Jenn- I am very sorry to hear about your mom 🙁
Joanna- so glad you posted here. I know how hard you work and I can't even imagine doing a job as emotionally difficult as yours is since I cry during commercials (seriously.) Thank you for everything you do!
Great post. I had a check last year, but this post is definitely a reminder to get another one!
This is an amazing post! I used to work at a tanning salon as well and I know exactly what you mean about it being addicting. I used to hate telling people that it wasn't "bad" for them when I deep down knew it. Somehow that didn't stop me from tanning though! I don't go anymore, but I still like to sit out in the sun during the summer months.. I try to be good with my sunscreen but sometimes I "forget" to put it on.
I know how important it is to get your skin checked and I do go to the dermatologist… for the acne on my face. My mom keeps telling me that I need to make an appointment to get my moles checked (I have a lot of them) and I keep saying that I'll do it but I have yet to make an appointment. This post made me think that I need to make that phone call this week and to stop putting it off! Skin cancer is no joke!!
Great post – I have been an avid sunscreen user since high school and so glad about it! I preach all the time to my fair skinned college aged FSILs about their tanning! Oh and I use latisse and love it!! My lashes are so long I barely use half as much mascara when I am getting done up. But I do have dark brown eyes so I have never been concerned about the color changing issue. I noticed results after a couple weeks and don't use it every night at all because I always forget. the one bottle has lasted me months
Hi Veronica,
Just wanted to say excellent post on skin cancer. I diagnose cancer for a living and it was nice to see you informing others of the risks associated with tannung beds and not using sunscreen. Melanoma is so dangerous because it has the ability to mimic cells all over the body (hence why it spreads so easily). Ladies…when looking for moles dont forget to check the edges of your ears, your nose, lips and tops/bottoms of feet
I've never been to a tanning bed and I don't ever plan on going. Being pale is pretty too. When I want a nice tan for a special occaison, I'll get an airbrush tan. I know this good makeup artist here in Houston that only charges $35.
Good post. It's so important to check your body or have your partner do it and look for any suspicious moles. I have a few small ones light in color but there was this one on my back that was really dark and my husband said it looked suspicious. I went to the doctor last year and he said it needed to be removed and biopsied. I had to wait 2 weeks for my results and honestly during that time I was practically preparing my will. I am a huge worry wart. Thankfully everything came back ok. It had a few atypical cells but since it was removed no further treatment was needed.
FJ- do you go to christy at wrap me now? That's who I go to and that's what she charges. I love her! Thank goodness you're OK.
amen.
You know I am all for fake bake without uv rays..
and yay for Retinol. How exciting. I started mine in November. Stick with it even through the peeling. Mine took about 2 months to not peel at all. It's worth it!
Great post V! It's so important to take care of and protect our skin. I also get my skin checked every year and had 5 moles removed in December. Great, great post!!
This is a great post, Veronika. I have been meaning to schedule a skin check but I keep putting it off. I am calling my doctor tomorrow to make an appointment.
FYI, I have been using Loreal Lash Boosting Serum for about three weeks now. I put it on my lashes before bedtime. Oh yeah, results galore. My lashes are noticeably thicker, longer and I haven't been losing any lashes whenever I remove my makeup. I. LOVE. IT.
anon- wow thanks for the tip 🙂 i might try that before the latisse 🙂
i am so glad you are booking your appointment! it will give you a good peace of mine 🙂
Hi Veronika,
I'm new to your blog and LOVE it. This post made me think twice. I was JUST going to go tanning next week. Thanks to this post I"m going to consider tanning lotion instead! Thanks a bunch! A message can go a long way.
Loved this post about tanning. I also have regrets from spending so much time in the sun as a lifeguard many years ago. I have not used Latisse, but I have used Revitalash and it is great! I used to have short, thin lashes, but the Revitalash has made a world of difference. I have not experienced any negative side effects. I also use the Lancome lash conditioner – CILS Booster XL. These 2 products have made a huge difference in my eyelashes. I would highly recommend.
Hi Veronika, I read your blog every day and absolutely love it. I am so happy you posted about this issue because I am so passionate about it as I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma at the age of 24. Luckily we caught it early and I am cancer free 3 years later…all I can say to all of the ladies out there is if you feel like you have a suspicious mole PLEASE have it looked at and even if you don't, still get checked yearly. I told myself it was nothing for almost a year even though my intuition told me otherwise.
I still like to have a tan of course but now I swear by Sally Hansen Spray on Legs! It works wonders! 🙂 Thanks again for the great post, Veronika!
~Jessica
My father-in-law struggles with skin cancer. He had two large spots removed from his forehead last year. When I became aware of what he struggled with, I felt extreme guilt for choosing to go to a tanning bed for a superficial reason when he was doing everything he could to save his skin and his health. I've been tanning bed free for a year and a half and I will never go back.
I have been diagnosed with melanoma twice. The first spot they found was when I was 16 years old and that spot was removed from the inside of my arm. (Really does anyone even tan the inside of their upper arm??) It took me going to 5 doctors because 4 of them told me ‘it was nothing’. I KNEW deep down it was something and kept pushing the doctors to get it off. I am so glad I did. I'm almost 26 and my last melanoma diagnosis was June of 2008. I have biopsies ever few years but I am a firm believer I'd rather have scars than cancer and since the only way they can diagnose melanoma is to biopsy it, I will keep getting those chunks of skin removed.
I am so happy that you are 'preaching' about this because people don't understand how scary and dangerous this really is!!
For the record, I have fair skin but I tan easily, I have had only had 1 bad burn in my life and it was when I was about 5 years old and I have no history of melanoma in my family. My biggest thing to remind people is to go with their gut and find a dermatologist that they are comfortable with.
Great post Veronika! I just got diagnosed with melanoma a couple weeks ago. It is sooo important for people to get checked!
I agree with everything you've said. I am also a reformed tan-a-holic. During college, I tanned very regularly – almost every day. When I graduated six years ago, I cut back to once or twice a week, but I still continued to tan.
About a year and a half ago, I had a suspicious mole on my chest that kept bleeding. I was referred to a dermatologist and had it excised and biopsied – and you guessed it, cancer!
I thank God that it was just basal cell carcinoma… I consider it my wake up call! Since then, I have never gone tanning. I do go outside in the summer, but I protect myself with sunscreen. No more cancer for me!
Thank you for posting about this! I know several people that have been affected by skin cancer so it hits home. I used to go to the tanning bed a couple times a year when I was in college, but I've definitely learned my lesson. A guy I went to school with recently passed away from malignant melanoma (he was in his early 20's), and a popular wedding photographer in my town died as well (leaving behind a young child). Another aquaintance of mine has undergone numerous biopsies in recent months. It's scary, especially considering that I live in Florida. I only go out in the sun now when I absolutely have to! lol
This was a great post. I'm very fair (natural blond with pale skin) and have always been a sun block user. My mom thankfully taught me this from an early age. There were times when I was a little envious of my darker complected friends who could lay out and get golden tans. But now that I'm older (34!) I'm glad I listened to my mom.
When I hit 30 I started going to the dermatologist for skin checks. I still haven't found a doctor that I think is worth a hoot. Who do you see in Houston?
Sara from Houston
Veronika, I use Leah with yourbeautifulface co. Pook told me about her last year.
anon- I go to Dr. Jennifer Hickman at Nigro Dermatology (buffalo speedway) here in Houston.
Great post. I used to work at a tanning salon as well, and gave up tanning 3 years ago. I'm the one preaching to my friends about NOT tanning and how bad it is for you. I wear sunscreen on my face and neck 365 days a year and cannot BELIEVE people are STILL TANNING with all the facts out there now. It's insane.
Thanks for this post, it's really good and insightful.
Ha! I LOVE that picture ('I can't take a person with a fake tan seriously') – hilarious!
Also, thanks for linking to the post about your favourite tanning potions 😉 That post was long before I came across your blog, so it's nice to link back.
http://www.acoest1984.blogspot.com
A
Great post! I'm guilty of the everyday tanning when I was in my 20's. Once I got married at 29 I cut back quite a bit but I was still going. I'm very pale & love having a tan. Now that I'm in my 30's I've stopped going & I've had a couple of biopsies. Luckily, everything's been ok so far but I get checked regularly. Thanks for the self tanning tips. I haven't been able to find a self tanner that I liked so I'm going to try your faves.
Great post, we hear it every year when the warm weather rolls around but it needs to be repeated as much as possible! I tanned all through college and grad school (my apartment in grad school had a free tanning booth for residence to use) and 3 years ago one of my best friends had some skin cancer found on her arm. we are both fair and blonde so that was my wake up call.
I recently blogged about using the Bath and Body Works spray tan- have you ever tried it? I am just wondering how it compares to what you recommend.
Thanks and keep preaching!
I work in palliative medicine. And I can't tell you the number of young patients (under the age of 40) that come on to my service that had undiagnosed skin cancer that has metastasized to other parts of their body! So so scary. You can't have picked a better topic to ''preach on"
Amen sister!
This is the husband..Veron, I got my appointment for next week.
Totally unrelated to skin cancer, Veronika, but do you ever read this blog? https://www.365fashionrehab.com/2010/03/if-i-could-i-would-59-days-left.html
It's written by two women who have given up shopping for a year (I think they have like 2 months left). Anyway, it seems right up your alley, and today's post especially made me think so because the skirt they posted today looks like something you'd love.
Great post… My mom is having surgery next week for skin cancer on her nose. She has to have plastic surgery. The past couple of weeks she has been so nervous about how she will look since the cancer is deep in the tissues of her nose. I wil not go out at all without sunscreen on. Veronika what sunscreen do you use? And I also just got a script for a retinol but it has an antibiotic too. It's called Ziana have you heard of it?
Great Post!!!!
Amy
michele- that skirt is cute! thanks for the blog link.
amy- so sorry your mom is having surgery next week! 🙁 I will keep your family in my prayers. I have not heard of Ziana, but if you go to makeupalley.com you can try to see if they have any reviews on it (or just google) good luck!