love your summer skin: and keep it safe

Here in Southern California, the May-Gray and June-Gloom skies have slowly started to make their way out and in their place, we are starting to have sunny days. Which is why I wanted to pop in today with a friendly reminder about being safe with your skin.

If you’re like me, you know (and have for some time) that sunburns are bad news. Yet, that wonderful feeling of being out in the sunshine is just so hard to resist and so you spend as much time as you can soaking it up. You may or may not have been diligent about putting sunscreen, a hat, or protective clothing on first. For me, monitoring my time in the sun is especially difficult because I am from San Diego, one of the most beautiful coastal towns you’ll ever find. Walking on the beaches is second nature. I’ve found it’s one of the best ways to get in physical exercise as well as care for your mental and emotional health. Being outdoors in this environment is something I love, but I have learned the hard way that in order to keep enjoying it, I must prepare first.

I have a feeling my experience with sun exposure could be similar to many of you. I stopped laying out and tanning so long ago (sometime in my teens or twenties) that I can’t even remember when it was. However, for much of my adult life, I still went out and enjoyed the beautiful sun without a hat or sunscreen. I sit here now and wonder why? Why didn’t I think the warnings might pertain to me? I think that until you are faced with your own mortality, humans are just naturally programmed to live in a way that allows them freedom of choice and movement. Everyone is different, and if you are the type of person to take precautions then you are a step ahead.

I am very mindful now, and that is because in November of 2021, after having spent a beautiful summer vacation in Hawaii, I visited my long-time hairstylist. She was very familiar with my scalp having done my hair for the past 7 years. When she saw a spot on the front top of my head she’d never seen before, she advised me to have it looked at. I did and after a biopsy, it was confirmed that at the age of 47, I had a melanoma. It was in the earliest stages and by March of 2022, I underwent surgery which successfully removed the skin cancer. My follow up care includes routine skin checks by my dermatologist (every 4 months), regular self-done skin checks (I do these monthly if not more often), staying out of direct sun exposure as much as possible, and daily use of SPF skin protection (plus a hat).

It has been 27 months since the melanoma was removed and I have had good check-ups ever since. I attribute this to drastically changing my behavior and routines when it comes to being out in the sun. The good news is that I have learned I can still enjoy being outdoors during the daytime, I just need to add a couple extra steps to my routine before going out. At first it felt like a chore, but now I barely notice. Most importantly, I am alive, and my skin has improved now that I’ve learned better how to take care of it. Melanoma isn’t the end of enjoying the daytime outdoors, but it is a very serious wake-up call to doing it safely. I even went to Hawaii again last summer and had a wonderful time. Yes, I wore a hat and sought out shade whenever possible. I wore SPF clothing and sunscreen. At first I was a little nervous, but do you know what? I had a wonderful time. The key is in letting those around you know how important sun care is and in allowing yourself the time and love it takes to put your health and safety first.

One thing I have used everyday for over two years now is a facial sunscreen made by Elta MD Skincare. It was recommended to me by a family member who takes excellent care of her skin as well. I would like to share the link with you in case you are looking for a product to add to your sun-protection routine. (As an Amazon Associate, I will occasionally share a product link if it is something I feel strongly about that could be beneficial to others, and this is definitely one of those times. I earn from qualifying purchases.) The link I am sharing is the exact product I use. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer for you. You can click HERE or on the photo below to be taken to the page for this sunscreen. #CommissionsEarned

Thank you for lending me your time today to talk about the importance of protecting your skin when you enjoy the sunshine. And remember to do skin checks on your loved ones (and have them assist you) for those hard to see places like the top of your scalp.

Here is to a wonderful and safe summer!