My mom was crazy about sunscreen before skin protection was in fashion. As a child, she would bathe us in lotion every time we left the house. Other teens my age would be greasing up and tanning at the Jersey Shore. I was stuck wearing hats and sitting in the shade. And yet, last fall, I was diagnosed with skin cancer.
How are you protecting your skin? Tell us and you'll be eligible to win two bottles of my favorite year-round skin care: CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion. (One for you and one to give to a friend whose skin you also care about!) It's SPF 30 and it keeps my skin soft without being greasy or smelly.
Since I grew up with a mom who was ahead of her time, I never thought I'd get skin cancer. And then I noticed a small bump on the side of my nose. It didn't look exactly like a pimple since the center of it was slightly indented, but I wasn't sure. When the bump didn't go away, I decided to make an appointment with a dermatologist. I hadn't had a full-body check-up in many years, so I figured it was time.
I expected the doctor to laugh and tell me in a slightly embarrasing way that I had adult acne. Instead, she took one look at my face and said, "Yep, that's cancer."
As she took a biopsy to confirm her diagnosis, she explained that I had basal cell carcinoma (BCC). "Of all the cancers to get, this is the best one." (Um. Yay?) It rarely spreads to the organs and if treated in a timely manner, it is not considered life-threatening. However, BCC tumors do grow, so the longer you wait to remove it, the more disfiguring it could be.
I wanted that sucker out fast. The doctor recommended a common procedure to remove BCC called Mohs Surgery. It's outpatient surgery with just local anesthesia, designed to remove the cancer but not much else, so it leaves the smallest scar possible.
I was so nervous about the procedure but it really wasn't too bad. Just uncomfortable at times, and a lot of waiting.
Six months later, I can still see the small scar, but most people would never notice it. I'd like to say I learned a lot of new things from this experience. But the truth is, I already knew them all, I just didn't pay attention. And now I do.
For more info on skin cancer prevention, check out SkinCancer.org.
*One lucky commenter or Tweeter will be chosen at random to receive two bottles of CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion, valued at approximately $26 total. Giveaway is open through May 20, 2018 to U.S. residents at least 18 years of age. Entrants must be a member of SheSpeaks. If you are not a member, click here to join. Winner will be notified by email.
Update: Thanks to all who entered! Congrats to our winner, SheSpeaks member MomOnTheEdge.
I plan on wearing more sunscreen this year and wearing a hat when i am out in the sun
I wear hats when I am outside and try to wear sunscreen daily.
To protect my skin, I'm always sure to apply moisturizer and cleanser and a skin protectant to ensure my skin maintains its health and withstands sun damage.
Awesome, love sunscreen
I try and use SPF every day especially if spending time outside.
I protect my skin daily, no matter the season, by covering my arms and any other skin showing, in 50+SPF sunscreen. Daily, I use a facial moisturizer that contains 20+SPF sunscreen. When outdoors, I wear a sunhat.
I use sunscreen most times I go out
I always use a moisturizer with SPF in it. I am blonde haired and blue eyed and have very fair skin. I always use sunscreen when going out in the sun for longer than a few minutes.
My daytime moisturizer has SPF, plus I use sunscreen for my body & wear a hat when I'll be in the sun. I always make sure my kiddos have sunscreen & hats on - even if they're in the shade of our tent at big brother's baseball tournaments!
I worry about my skin but also about that of my kids. Making sure they have sufficient sunscreen, wash their faces after being out all day, and putting on cream to combat their eczema teaches them self-care for their lifetime.
I wear sunscreen to protect my skin.
Sunscreen and sunglasses are always in my bag so I can use them anywhere and anytime.
I wear sunscreen
I use spf spray on my face everyday and wear a hat when I'm spending time outside. Easy to do and saves my skin from premature aging and skin cancer.
I wear sunscreen daily to protect against melanoma, which runs in my family.