I support SOS because...
It will make a difference and save lives. This program brings the important messages of sun safety and skin cancer prevention to life by taking the messages out of the dermatologist’s office and into the lives of everyday people. Save our Skin is a grassroots call to action and an opportunity for dermatologists to amplify the important medical concepts that will improve the quality of some lives and save others. I truly believe that when people are given good information they make good decisions. SOS is an opportunity to fuel proactive decision making when it comes to sun safety and skin awareness. Join the mission today.

I am pleased to lend my support to the SOS Campaign that is being organized by La Roche Posay. This effort to raise awareness about skin cancer including melanoma in the US is much needed in a society where at the present time 1 in every 5 individuals will get a skin cancer in their lifetime. The campaign will address issues that relate to the recognition of possible cancers by focusing on education about the ABCDE’s of melanoma and the signs and symptoms of non-melanoma skin cancers as well. This is most important because early detection means complete cure in the vast majority of cases. With that in mind the program will stress frequent self-skin exams and yearly full-body exams by a dermatologist. And while detection and treatment are important no program would be complete without providing information about prevention – sun-safe behavior, including avoidance and protection including sun-screen usage to prevent the deleterious effects of sun exposure. This effort by LRP utilizing their knowledge of on line techniques should lead to an impact that will l yield better care for my patients and society in general.

I think skin cancer education is an important public initiative because indoor and outdoor tanning are on the rise among adolescents and young adults despite current communication efforts. As a result, the incidence of melanoma continues to rise. Important messages regarding skin health must be sent to both males and females of all ages to encourage safe sun practices.

As a beauty editor, you’re supposed to know better…but I must confess that there have been times I’ve visited tanning beds in search of that perfectly bronzed glow. But wait! Don’t judge! I haven’t indulged in any such madness in several years, finally getting it through my thick noggin at some point (even as I was advising readers to only use sunless tanner, and to always use sunscreen—do as I say, not as I do!) that tanning truly can be lethal. I’ve always worn sunscreen religiously on my face, but just maaaaybe—say when at the beach, or on vacation—I’d “accidentally” forget the sunscreen on my body for an extra half hour, to get a little color. You know, just a “base tan.”

There’s no such thing as a safe tan, however, and, as you’ve probably heard a million times, a “base tan” is a fallacy: any bit of color means that your skin is damaged. For fair skinned gals like me, the negative results can be immediate, but for everyone no matter the skin tone (yes, even those of you with the darkest skins who think you’re immune!) the cumulative risks of sun exposure can be a disaster.

According to the Dermatology Online Journal, melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, can and often does spread to other parts of the body, and occurs in 1 in 1000 African-Americans (and 1 in 50 Caucasians!).

The facts are shocking. Skin cancer is the number one most prevalent type of cancer, increasing at a faster rate than any other type of cancer, including breast cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer. It strikes at any age, and it’s such a tragedy, because it’s preventable.

I’m honored to be taking part to get the word out and remind everyone to take care of their skin and their selves.

I support Save Our Skin because skin cancer is a tragedy that shouldn’t happen to anybody, and doesn’t have to.
Let’s take some personal responsibility, spread the word and join the cause today.

Did you know that one sunburn on a child can double her risk of acquiring melanoma in her lifetime?* The knowledge that we have now about sun exposure and skin cancer is way more than our parents ever knew. As parents, it’s our responsibility to instill proper sun protection habits in our kids at an early age. They should view slathering on sunscreen every morning as routine as brushing their teeth. Of course, putting sunscreen on an infant or toddler is no easy feat. Here’s what I found to work well:

• For your child’s face, use a thick sunscreen or a sunscreen stick. They are easier to control when your kid is squirming about and won’t meander into her eyes or hairline. Make sure it is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and broad spectrum.
• Put sunscreen on your child before they get dressed. Whether you just want to get his face or his whole body, it’s a lot easier to blend in the sunscreen when they’re in their birthday suit. Plus, you can avoid spills on clothes or bathing suits.
• Don’t put sunscreen on the back of their hands. My daughter rubs her eyes all the time and I quickly found out that whenever I put sunscreen on her hands, soon enough her eyes would be red and puffy.
• Don’t forget to reapply every two hours. Sun breaks down sunscreen, so even you are just having a picnic in the park or running around the playground, it’s important to reapply.

* Source: Wendy E. Roberts, MD, FAAD.