We each have our own unique relationship with the sun. Maybe its memories of summers at the beach or a tan line that peeked out of your wedding dress. Or maybe your relationship with the sun is different. A bad burn, extreme sensitivity, or even a skin scare.
Everyone has a story that can educate others and contribute to our mission by helping us spread awareness and reminding us all to save our skin.
colette coyne , New York 77
Watching helplessly as the deadly disease melanoma took the life of our beautiful daughter, the least of a sun person among our five children - we established ccmac.org Colette Coyne Melanoma Awareness Campaign - in hopes of saving the life of someone else's child.
Focusing on school education and sports programs on Long Island our current BE SUN SMART(R) Soccer Initiative reached 30,000 youth personally. coaches and parents. Getting to the grass roots of our community is our goal as well as providing Free Skin Screening at Jones Beach . Thank you for the recent donation of sunscreen. UV protection is a year round endeavor as necessary as brushing one's teeth daily. It must become acquied behavior.
Doctors at Sloan Kettering indicated the sunburns Colette had in youth most likely triggered her disease at 29, taking her life 5 1/2 months later -Thank you for increasing awareness as we continue with our BE SUN SMART(R) message.
www.ccmac.org
This story is dedicated to: Colette and All those we have yet to reach!
I am 46, which puts me in the roaring 70's 80's when we didn't care, well, what I mean was, we were carefree.
We used to lay out on blankets that were made of foil! Yes- foil! AND, we would slather babyoil all over ourselves...laying on that foil blanket.
As the years progressed, I noticed that I would burn more than I would tan. The cycle would be burn, peel, tan a little. But with each decade that cycle soon faded and now, at the age of 46, all the sun does is make me turn beet red, sunburn, peel, and dry my skin out horribly.
I am sad to say, I pretty much stay out of the sun now. Why? Because I am covered in freckles. I have done self checks, had my doc look me over from time and going to go for my first skin check. The sun feels great, I love the warmth that it gives, but not the damage it does to my skin.
This story is dedicated to: to all the survivors of skin cancer
I’m Black Native American woman, typical American Mongrel mix-Native American-Black-White. At 4 years of age I began to exhibit a rash on the exposed areas of skin whenever I was outside in the sun, My parents took me to the local pediatrician (white) and he told them I was dirty, that the rash came from me being unclean! They had to clean me better!
Years later we lived next door to a renowned dermatologist (Black), by this time I was in college. I visited our neighbor, he examined the areas covered with these blisters (looking like a baby’s diaper rash) and said he’d never seen anything like it before.
My self-diagnosis was that it was sun poisoning. He had a box of sunscreen samples, a product called “Eclipse”. For the first time in my life I stood in the sun and it did not hurt. It stained everything I owned. He provided the samples for me until I could find the lotion on the market. Eclipse has been gone now for many years. I still burn.
probably why you didn't see an allergist. what you might have is solar urticaria, or PMLE.
CC
Does sound ignorant...
COEXIST
Why does the color of there skin matter....it sounds ignorant
melissa COEXIST
Why does the color of there skin matter....it sounds ignorant
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Courtney Jackson , Ohio 25
I'm 22. I've worked at 3 tanning beds over the last 4 years. I would venture to say that I did not go more than 2 weeks without tanning, or being in the sun during that time period. I'm naturally fair, blonde hair, blue eyes.
Right after graduating college, I went to the dermatologist. I had been several other times, but not for body checks. My doctor performed 2 biopsies. Both were severely precancerous. I had to have 2 procedures in order to get rid of them.
The one on my back was taken care of, the borders are clear. And I'm currently sitting with several stitches on my side, waiting to hear back those results.
I'm endlessly blessed that we found this when we did, and I thank God for that daily, but it didn't have to happen. And people need to be aware. It's just not worth it.
I'm 22. I've worked at 3 tanning beds over the last 4 years. I would venture to say that I did not go more than 2 weeks without tanning, or being in the sun during that time period. I'm naturally fair, blonde hair, blue eyes.
Right after graduating college, I went to the dermatologist. I had been several other times, but not for body checks. My doctor performed 2 biopsies. Both were severely precancerous. I had to have 2 procedures in order to get rid of them.
The one on my back was taken care of, the borders are clear. And I'm currently sitting with several stitches on my side, waiting to hear back those results.
I'm endlessly blessed that we found this when we did, and I thank God for that daily, but it didn't have to happen. And people need to be aware. It's just not worth it.
I just finished reading the stories on this page and never thought I would be someone with a similar story. When I was younger, like many of you, I thought the most important thing was being tan. I thought it made you look healthy. When we were kids, if we ran out of baby oil, we used olive oil instead. Talk about stupid! I also used tanning beds, although not many times - I guess it only takes once to do damage. I had a little pink spot on my thigh that wasn't going away, and I felt very uneasy about it, so I had it checked. I was shocked, scared, and horrified when my biopsy came back positive for malignant melanoma. I had a wide excision done, and am returning on Thursday to have my stitches removed. To say my life has changed is an understatement. I do not go anywhere without strong, broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen. I'm thankful for the scar. I praise God for saving my life and for catching the cancer early. I urge everyone to be diligent with skin care and protection.
This story is dedicated to: My Children and The Lord
I'm sitting here with stitches also. I said a prayer for you! Stay strong.
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Chris M. , North Carolina 65
Hi!
I had a 39 year old cousin who waited too late to have the change in a small mole looked at by a dermatologist until too late. He always wore 30% sunscreen each and every day as he was a contractor who worked outdoors, and he wanted to be on the 'safe' side. The mole was on his back and he wore regular poly t-shirts.
To make a long story short: He should have been wearing eco-green t-shirts (made of much higher UVP i.e., bamboo, hemp, 100% organic cotton, soy, corn, or birch...) These materials are up to 60-70% higher in UVP. I am just now getting up a site: www.ECOGREENSUNPRODUCTS.COM which has these natural wicking fibers made from the above-mentioned composites. I also do 'blogs' on educating people on 'saving their skin', and sometimes a person's life -PLUS saving our earth!!!
Check out my site - I think you will be glad you did....:)
There is no evidence that Oxybenzone is carcinogenic. The effects of sun exposure on the development of skin cancer are well-known. Long-term use of sunscreens, including Oxybenzone, for protection from UV-induced skin damage along with sun avoidance and use of protective clothing is encouraged by US FDA and other global health agencies. The FDA, Canada and the EU have approved the use of Oxybenzone as a safe and effective sunscreen ingredient. Oxybenzone has also been reviewed by the CIR independent expert panel (http://www.cir-safety.org/index.shtml). The CIR panel is composed of scientists and medical experts who review cosmetic ingredients and assess their safety in cosmetic formulations.
It has come to my attention on TV NOT to use Sunscreen with the ingredient "Oxybenzone." I had purchased a tube of SPF 60 Anthelios 60 at CVS. I understand "Oxybenzone" can cause cancer. What is going on here? I have been using it every day. Please get back to me ASAP. Who is saving our skin? Jeannette
It has come to my attention on TV NOT to use Sunscreen with the ingredient "Oxybenzone." I had purchased a tube of SPF 60 Anthelios 60 at CVS. I understand "Oxybenzone" can cause cancer. What is going on here? I have been using it every day. Please get back to me ASAP. Who is saving our skin? Jeannette
My mother always put sunscreen on me and my brothers when we would head out into the sun--always the highest SPF. Because we weren't getting sunburns, we would stay out in the sun all day, every day during the summer. My brother was very surprised when he was diagnosed with skin cancer because he had always used sunscreen. When he asked his dermatologist why that was the case, the dermatologist said that he had been using the wrong kind of sunscreen (with not enough UVA protection). To think--if he had read the labels a little better, he could have avoided this whole situation! So be careful to ask your dermatologist what sunscreens he recommends......
I was an avid "sun worshipper" even after several things were taken off my body by my dermatologist. Skin cancer has affected other members of my family too!
Being educated on the risks I am inflicting on myself was one thing, but to realize how bad the risks I was inflicting on my CHILDREN was a true eye opener. I now am SO much more aware of sun protection and making sure my sunscreen is effective. Anthelios has changed my outlook on what is more important. A tan can be obtained from a bottlle just as easily these days... I have a boat and spend time at our beach rental, but NOW I am safer in the sun and have piece of mind now knowing I am full protected as well as my family....
still remember not been able to put my jeans on after burning on the beach all day long. so ridiculous!
now, a few wrinkles, dark spots and a skin cancer scar after...I feel I was so stupid.
I feel responsible in informing others now. Sun is not the enemy, it's about embracing it safely.
As a woman of mixed ethnicities, I thought I wasn't susceptible to the sun's harmful rays. Turns out, we ALL are! I'm very light-skinned and need to use SPF 60 when I'm out in the sun. And hey, I want to stay wrinkle-free for as long as possible. So slather that sunscreen on!
As a woman of color, I know that women of color, need to protect their skin against the sun as well as other groups. Too often because our complexions are darker we feel that we do not need sun screen. But, darker skinned people can get skin cancer, too. The sun does not discriminate
This story is dedicated to: To my daughter Dawn Louise Smalls
I was a teenager in the mid 80's when tanning outdoors was the "in" thing. Every summer of high school I would bake myself in the sun whenever I could. I am now 41 and recently had a suspicious mole removed from my right arm that turned out to be melanoma in situ. It was divine intervention that my daughter was picking at it one day. It was totally out of my line of vision, so I may never have noticed it until it was quite advanced. The mole did not look like the "scary" examples of melanoma - it was small, symmetrical, and not irregularly shaped. But it was black. I have had surgery and currently have a 2 inch incision with about a dozen stitches. I am so glad to have found the cancer early (thanks to my daughter!). It is my goal this Summer for tmy children's skin color to be exactly the same at the end of the year as it was when the season started. I will do all I can to protect my family and tell my story that the "healthy glow" a tan gives you is not at all worth your life.
Thanks Jody for sharing your story! I wish you continued healing my friend.
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Michele Paraspolo , New York 58
Went to my dermatologist to check out, what I though was Psoriasis, which I also have, by my eye. He said that's cancer. Basil Cel. I'll cut it out right now. I said shoudn't I go to a surgeion, he said no, no it will only take a minute. As he's cutting, he yelling "have to go to plan B", which meant it was a lot deeper than he thought. Two little tumors, he cut out, and he said see you in three months. Yeah, sure. Never went back to him. Found a Surgeon Dermatiologist, he took 4 biopsys and 3 were positive. Luckily, basil cell, but the one on my nose, needed nose reconstruction. I was quite in shock since I've always used sunscreen, umbrella, and hat. You never know if your suseptible. We must always be diligent.
Got Referred to a dermatologist to have a mole removed she said she was not to concerned and would call me with the results. 1 week later I got the call it was the nurse asking me to come in she can’t give me results on the phone turned out it was a malignant melanoma Clarks level 3 superficial spreading kind went to a surgeon yesterday he said will do surgery on the site and on a lymph node. Wish me luck No more beach for me the tan is not worth it………….
A month ago today I had my surgery for melinoma. I am the typical skin cancer profile. Red hair and light skin and freckles. I spent so many summers in the sun with no protection at all. I will forever have the reminder now as I have a scar on my arm and have been hooked up to a vac pump for the last 3 weeks. PLEASE take the few minutes when you get out of the shower to apply sun screen . The few minutes it take could save your life.
I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma skin cancer a few months ago, when I went to have a freckle that turned into a dark mole on my forehead, removed. The dermatologist sent me to a plastic surgeon to have the mole removed and it came back that it was in fact melanoma however it was just stage 1. The following week, I was sent to Penn to have more surgery for clear margins. I have a 2 inch scar across my forehead now (I am only 35 w/two young kids) but fortunately my margins did come back clear. I have now bought several hats and invest in lots of sunscreen for mysefl & the kids....it's impossible to stay out of the sun w/2 small children. ALWAYS follow your gut and make sure to have yourself checked every year.
I caught mine right before Melanoma. Stay strong. I'm only 22, I understand how scared you must be.
MIlee
Erica, I definatly know how you feel, I have had 2 surgeries now.
LindaG
Try not to be anxious. Have faith and pray. It will all be behind you soon.
Mariam
I will have mine in a month. I know exactly how you feel. God bless you Erika and be positive.
Mariam
I will have mine in a month. I know exactly how you feel. God bless you Erika and be positive.
Mariam
I will have mine in a month. I know exactly how you feel. God bless you Erika and be positive.
Linda
Stay calm, I know it is hard. I had melanoma surg. and did well. All the best to you.
Anne Marie
Stay positive & good luck, let us know how it goes
shelly
Keep positive. Know it is hard. Will keep you in my thoughts.
janet
Good luck. I had my surgery a month ago today :) stay positive.
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Erin , North Carolina 35
A lot of us grew up with the idea that being tan meant you looked healthy. I had a few sunburns and used a tanning bed for a short period of time in college yet it was a shock when I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma at 23. The doctors told my parents to prepare to say goodbye to me. The little I knew of melanoma was it happened to someone who spent decades in the sun or had a tanning bed in their home. It wasn’t until this ordeal that I was told skin cancer is one of the fastest-growing cancers. 9 years later I am a stronger person and have hope for the future. I am thankful doctors are better educated about the warning signs; it unfortunately took 7 different doctors before one noticed the lesion. I hope medical students have a desire to become a dermatologist to better understand skin cancer. I hope the FDA works harder to regulate the sunscreen industry. It shouldn’t have taken so long for Mexoryl approval in the US or to scrutinize tanning salons.
My mom was just dx. Can u share ur tx course? I'm so happy you're doing well 9 years later.
Jenn
My mom was just dx. Can u share ur tx course? I'm so happy you're doing well 9 years later.
shelly
I'm with you...more education on melanoma and more research needed. So glad you are doing well.
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joanne menard , Massachusetts 56
First of all thank you to lrp for the wonderful, highly effective suncare products you have blessed us with in the usa.A dry patch of skin on face or body that doesn't want to clear up needs to be checked. most of the time it will be the basal cell skin cancer. Doctor will remove it in the office, my theory is, if it shouldn't be on your face get it checked.Many people will blow it off as just a dry annoying skin rash, but it usually always good to get it checked. Know someone who has had 4 to 5 occurances on forehead. Everyone should have a full body check once a year.
Anne E. Appleby is the founder and chief creative for YogaForce LLC http://www.yogaforce.com. In 2003 she was running on the beach in Santa Monica and was stopped by a dermatologist who spotted a mole on her back just above her bikini top. He told her to see a doctor immediately and she did. It was a Clark Level 3 melanoma. If left unchecked, melanoma would have killed her. Annie has dedicated her time and money to get the word out about the importance of sun protection.
Byop last week came back Melanoma clarks level 3 . surgery next week.
yannick
would love to meet Annie- anyone has her contact info? thanks
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Victoria , Virginia 23
I am a 20 year old who was diagnosed with melanoma 2 weeks after my 20th birthday. I spent many days outside with no sunscreen and also only 2 summers in the tanning beds (a total of about 8 or so months). I have had 2 melanoma moles but luckily they did not spread to lymph nodes and surgury was all that was needed, BUT I now have 5 long scars and the fear of re-occurance to remind me how bad UV rays are for you!! I beg each of you to stay OUT of the tanning beds, and wear sunscreen when outside. It is NOT worth risking your life. Take it from someone who had to battle cancer because of these things....I regret every minute in the tanning bed, and wish I could take back those months. I pray you will learn from my mistakes. I am happy to be alive and I thank God for sparing my life. Life is TOO precious...do you REALLY want a tan to die for?
Thanks for posting. I thank God too for sparing my life from melanoma. Bless you.
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Georgine Richards , Minnesota 71
I spent many summers at the lake using baby oil to tan. i am fair skinned and burned many times. i have had a basal cell skin cancer removed from my face about a year ago, I have done a face peel and before that had "many" spots frozen off my face. i see my dermatologist every 6 months for check ups. i use sunscreen plus have 15 coverage in my moisterizer and make up all year round.
I am a pharmaceutical sales rep, so I spend a lot of time in my car. I use an SPF in my make up so I thought I was protected. Then I started seeing brown spots on the left side of my face, I went to my Dermatologist and he told me that it was caused by sun exposure specifically UVA that can penetrate glass. He receommended that I wear a UVA/UVB true broadspectrum protection and recommended LRP. Thanks LRP!
5 years ago I considered SPF 15 a sunblock and I didn’t even know that moisturizers with UV protection exist. Then, my dermatologist took a photo of my skin with a UV camera (shows hidden sun damage). I was shocked – even if my skin still looked untouched by the sun, the damage that had been done was great. Ever since, I had been using a moisturizer with SPF 15 daily and when in the sun, I use a SPF 60. I couple of months ago, I had the photo taken by again, and I was surprised that a large part of the damage was gone. The skin was able to regenerate and because I always protected, new damage did not occur.
As a teenager, I spent every summer working at the beach. My work hours left my afternoons free and at least 1 full day. I spent a lot of that time at the beach putting little emphasis on sun protection. I am very fair-skinned and a couple of times, I burned so bad that I had blisters on my face. If I had only known then what I know now!
I never leave my house without sunscreen on --no matter if it's sunny out or not. I now know that the sun damages our skin everyday. I've had relatives who have had melanoma and seen the scars they are left with. I am just hoping I was early enough in my reversal of habits.
This story is dedicated to: The person who died this hour from melanoma
Up until a few years ago, I always assumed that Skin Cancer would not affect me becuase I grew up in a tropical climate and have a darker skin tone. That being said, I never wore sunblock. After turning 22 a couple of times, I started getting little freckles (cute) on my face and shoulders. I've since learned that the freckles are really tiny moles and they exist becuase of sun exposure. Now I wear a mousturizer with SPF 15 EVERYDAY (Anthelios SX with Mexoryl) even if I'm not leaving my house. Not to prevent freckles or anything like that, but to protect myself from the sun (indoors too). When I wear sleeveless blouses I make sure to use sunscreen (Anthelios 60 or 45 Body) on my chest, shoulders, and back. And when I go to the beach, I cover every inch of my skin (and my hubby's)- even hands and feet - reapplying when needed. I can't afford to be the 1 in 5 Americans who will get Skin Cancer..... Thanks La Roche Posay for saving my (and my hubby's) skin.
This story is dedicated to: SCF and LRP for educating me.
I grew up across the street of a wonderful Brazilian beach! Needless to say, I used to spend entire days under the sun with minimum protection of a white T-shirt. Had five serious sun burns before age 18. Result? Every time I see my dermatologist it is the same drill: 3-4 suspicious moles are removed for biopsy. I just hope my son's generation will see sun bathing differently, that is why I urge everyone to join this cause!!
My Dad I had a heart transplant over 20 years ago. To stay healthy he has to take immune suppressants. Unfortunately this leaves him suceptable to the sun's rays. He has to have skin cancer removed every 3 months. He tries to stay out of the sun however, when he does spend time outside, he wears the Anthelios 40.
This story is dedicated to: Ronald Vincent, my Dad
Summer was the time to get as tan as possible. Now hyperpigmentation and an AK on my face. I wish we knew all those years ago how damaging the sun can be. My family thinks I am crazy but we are protected now evey day!!
My moles and sun damage tell the story of my life. Vacation in Isreal, a business trip to Cannes, rafting out West, skiing in Europe, summers at the country club, tennis tournaments in boarding school - all to get that coveted tan. A status symbol that turned into a symbol of stupidity. Now, Anthelios and my fair skin have become my ultimate status symbol. And a smart one, too!
Sun sorry story? The wrinkles and dark spots of my decolete, due to a massive sunburn I got in Venezuela 10 years ago while I was roasting with an spf2 under an unforgiving bright sun. My decolete has never been the same since then. And I had to stay indoor for 2 full days to avoid the piercing burning rays, taking aspirin and drinking water.
Having grown up at or around the Jersey shore (fist pump), I spent most of my days in the sun. Whether it was on the baseball field or beach, I was always roasting. Some days my mom would put an SPF4 sunscreen on me if it was really hot out. Three years ago I was diagnosed with Skin Cancer. It was easily treated and except for a three inch scar on my temple, I am fine. I now use a sunscreen with at least an SPF 15 everday. If I'm out more than 30 minutes, I reapply. My three kids have never experienced a sunburn and based on my preaching, I hope they never will. And I already told my daughter that a trip to the tanning salon is as bad as five sunburns to your skin. I told her while a tan may look cool, early wrinkles do not. I also told her that I will take away her lap top if she ever frequents a cancer trap. I think she'll stay away.
Being fair-skinned and red-haired I have always burned easiy. I used to envy my friends with their deep, golden tans. I tried to tan and would just burn. It wasn't until I was in my early 20's that I became an avid sunscreen user, But A year and a half ago I had a large, darke "mole" removed from between my shoulder blades. It is a shock to see the words "Malignant Melanoma" on your own medical chart. I had more tissue removed and a lymph node biopsy that came back clear. Now I have a 6" long scar on my back and a quarterly skin check. I have gone from an avid sunscreen user to a fanatic sunscreen user, long sleeves and a hat.
I am also a redhead and I have also had 2 malignant melanomas. I will be praying for you!
ex sun addict
A white shirt has the same protective efficacy than an spf5 & when wet only spf1.
ex sun addict
A white shirt has the same protective efficacy than an spf5 & when wet only spf1.
ex-sun addict
A white shirt has the same protective efficacy than an spf5 & when wet only spf1.
ex-sun addict
a white shirt has the same protective efficacy than an spf5 & when wet only spf1.
ex-sun addict
a white shirt has the same protective efficacy than an spf5 & when wet only spf1.
ex-sun addict
a white shirt has the same protective efficacy than an spf5 & when wet only spf1.
ex-sun addict
a white shirt has the same protective efficacy than an spf5 & when wet only spf1.
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Deborah Melia , Ohio 59
In November 2005 I attempted to get in to a dermatologist office to have a mole checked. It had been itching for about a month. I called several and was told it would take an average of eight months to be seen. I found a doctor who could see me in April. She removed the mole along with a rather large chunk of skin surrounding the mole. Two weeks later I was told it was stage four melanoma. In May I had several satelite lymph nodes removed from under my arm . Thankfully non were affected. An oncologist removed a 3 x 9 centimeter area from my arm. I see the dermatologist every four months & the oncologist every six months for a chest xray & blood work. I have had several moles removed since 2005 and all have been fine. I can only pray this cancer does not take my life or one of my daughters lives. Although the melanoma wasn't necessarily caused by the sun, the doctors said the sun can aggravate my condition. My entire family makes sure we have sun protection on our skin at all times.
3 Years ago I began working for LaRoche-Posay. It was during my initial product training that I realized my skin should be checked. There are effects of the sun that I did not realize could have impacted me as a result of my inadequate sun protection habits. Sure enough, my Dermatologist found a mole that needed to be biopsied. I was a bit nervous. It came back benign; however I realized that I need to change my sun exposure habits. I'll never use a tanning bed. I always use sunscreen in my car due to the lack of protection from my windshield. In short, if will be in the sun more than 5 minutes, I make sure I am protected.
Growing up I was always very active, playing softball and running track for the better part of my school-age years, yet I didn't understand the importance of protecting my skin. In high school, it was always about being tan and blond. I have to applaud what LRP is doing, I wish I had half of this knowledge when I was 16 years old, sunning on the bleachers of my school at a track meet. It wasn't until I was in my 20's that I finally started listening to my mother, and picked up a bottle of self tanner, rather than a bottle of baby oil. Thank you, LRP for educating everyone, especially those who don't know that pale is the new tan.
I wear sunscreen, but had not had my skin checked in three years. I had a screening today and found out that I have a mole that needs to be biopsied. I have an appointment in three weeks for that to be taken care of. I am really thankful for this program and the opportunity for me to find a free skin cancer screening. I also learned how terrible tanning beds were and am so angry that my younger self thought it was cool to go to tanning salons in college. I wish I had been smarter.
It wasn't until recently that I truly got educated about the important of protecting your skin from the sun. For example, I used to go tanning a few times a week because I liked how it made me look, without thinking of the damage I was doing. I also never wore sunscreen because I always thought that as long as my skin didn't burn, it was fine. But within the last year, I became more educated on this issue and realized the harm I was doing to my skin, so I made the decision to stop going tanning and to start protecting myself from the sun everyday. Today, I received a skin check and found out that everything is perfectly fine. I feel like it is a new beginning for my skin!
My father is a dermatologist and is determined to protect my skin. Since I am only 6 weeks old now, he keeps me out of the sun totally by keeping the stroller in the shade, putting sun hats on me, and attaching an umbrella onto the stroller as well. When I am old enough, I am certain that I will be the Anthelios poster child, as I have quite fair skin and bright blue eyes. I will take it with me at all times, since I am told that I need to be concerned each and every day...
This is a much needed wake-up call using bby oil all those years long ago - freckles are not so cute anymore - being a cancer survivor / lymphoma - I really need to be extra careful. The doctor lecture was incredibly interesting and surprising --- I thought I knew enough about sun block and skin cancer - since I had gone through a cancer - but I had no idea at all. Thanks so LRP!
Throughout high school and college I baked in tanning beds. I loved my tan skin, especially being of English and Czech descent, my complexion is pale with red undertones, I felt confident with my sexy golden hue. At 20, I discovered I had superficial melanoma in my left breast and my arm. After having the lesions removed by a plastic surgeon, I continued to tan at salons, albeit twice a month, versus twice a week. Then at 22, my dermatologist discovered another melanoma in my lower back, which had to be removed, and left a terrible, unsightly scar two inches long. Luckily, I finally got my act together, and stopped tanning all together. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the cancer that scared me into my new lifestyle, but the hideous scars covering my body & the premature aging on my face – fine lines and hyperpigmentation that is even more noticeable now on my fair skin. Everytime I get a craving to tan, which is often, I decide I don’t want to look like a battered leather handbag at 40.
wouah Jen, that s shoking. i too feel that my scar was my wake up call
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Lisa , New York 35
I remember going to tanning salons in highschool because my friends and I thought a tan looked good. Now, you know what looks good? Clear, hyperpigmentation free skin! I'm proud to be pale. I see my mother struggling with discolorations on her face and I know that is one way that I won't take after her because I am protected with Anthelios. Plus, a tan often included tan lines and those are just tacky. The best benefit of being protected is preventing skin cancer!
I grew up in New Jersey and spend summers on the shore. My mother was neurotic about sun hats, sunscreen and staying inside from 12-2 (which was perfect timing for lunch and a nap before hitting the beach again) I can't thank her enough for protecting me from the sun - and all the other dangers in the world that I was too young to recognize at the time.
I grew up in one of the hotest countries of the world and on top of that around beaches so all the time i was under the sun until like the age of 9. even throught my teens i dint know about sun screen until i became a beauty advisor and got educated on how to protect your skin from from the sun rays and what are the causes if you dont protect your self. i have been a beauty advisor for 3 years now and the results are incredible my skin looks briter and i feel conftable not wearing make up. because the ANTHELIOS gives me a good moisture and a good protection all day long.
This story is dedicated to: CVS / LA ROCHE POSAY / LOREAL
When I was 15 yrs a pharmacist in Argentina introduced me to La Roche-Posay Anthelios. I was hesitant to wearing sunscreen amidst my teens, having oily skin. The pharmacist insisted I tried 'the shaka' not only for its superior protection but for its incredible fluid texture. Since then I have used this produce every single day, rain or shine; knowing I am preserving my skin from UV damage.
Tania, I WOULD NEVER TRADE IT for anything else in the world.
Marina
Igual sos fea
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Gene Colon , New York 13
In junior high, the used to call me the "Puerto Rican Grease Baby" - not only because of my ethnic background, but because I used to grease myself up with baby oil and bake in the sun to get the coveted golden tan. Along with that tan, I also go my fair share of those "feel like a french fry" burns! Now that I have already doubled my risk of melanoma, I need to minimize any further exposure and avoid the sun whenever I can... I hope you do the same!
Then become Anthelios XL,50+, the French Sun protection Touch!
xoxoxo
Jen
You're so young, I'm so sorry!
yannick
i wish i knew earlier also-
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Jane Kim , New York 38
I used to tan even up to a few years ago, but am beginning to see signs of aging on my face – not wrinkles but those dreaded dark spots! Luckily, I wore sunscreen through my pregnancies and avoided pregnancy mask, but now I vow to take care of myself by wearing sunscreen more religiously not only to look young but to also live a long life with my 2 girls. I am going to get my skin checked this week by a dermatologist, get my husband to do it too, and have my whole family wear Anthelios!
Back in high school my friends and I used to frequent tanning salons. When we asked any negative consequences, we were told that we shouldn't worry about any potential damage since the UV beds used only UVA rays and would not causing any burning to our skin. Now that I know it is essential to protect against BOTH UVA and UVB rays in order to prevent irreversible skin damage, I use a broad spectrum suncreen that provides highly effective protection across UVA and UVB rays every day- AND I try to educate any friends that still use tanning salons about the dangers they may be unaware of
Being of carribbean descent [and brown skin] - I did not think that I had to worry about sun protection. However, after one bad vacation, baking in the sun on the beach, I got a severe sun burn! I did not think that could ever happen to me - however it did! And since then, I have changed my view and use of sunscreen. Not only do I now ensure that I use a sunscreen daily, I ensure that my children are protectected too...something that our parents didn't naturally do, since it was not part of our culture or behaviors :) I want to share my story and let others know that you need to protect your skin - no matter what ethnicity! Don't think about it - take take action today!
before my 25 I have been a sun worshipper, like addict.. tanning beds, baby oil, ...all of the NO NO!. 3 years ago during a routine skin check (my first) my dermatologists found 5 suspicious moles and one of them was a skin cancer. Results: i have a small scar on my chest, but i am now safe. I wish I had listened to my mother when she was saying to me that so much sun couldn't be good (aren't all mother soo right!). and what i am most upset about is not really the scar, it s the wrinles, the dark spots ...all the damages that the sun is doing and makes you age faster. Anyways, i encourage everyone to learn more, listen to the video of the dermatologists and do your own skin screening (it s easy) and don t be afreaid of the dermatologists, they can truly save your life! AND MOST IMPORTANTLY SHARE !
This story is dedicated to: my mother- she is always right
Growing up, I spent my summers as a lifeguard. Week after week, month after month and summer after summer I baked in the sun with no hat and little sunscreen. Now I have the sun damage to show it - dark spots on my cheeks, chest and back. I wish I could go back in time and change those days but I can't so for now, I wear a broad spectrum sunscreen daily, sit in the shade and take special care of my skin with the right skincare products.
