Go Pale For Prom!!

As prom season approaches, many of you (or your teenage family members) are thinking about how to look best for their magical prom night. And for most pre-prom primpers, this includes a trip or two to the tanning bed.

I'm here to urge you to skip the tanning bed and Go Pale for Prom!

Here are the facts:

• Just one indoor tanning session before age 25 can increase your risk of Basal Cell carcinoma (the most common skin cancer) by 50%!

• Your first indoor tanning session can increase your chance of Squamous Cell Carcinoma by 67%

• Each year over 419,000 cases of skin cancer in the US (including Melanoma) can be linked to indoor tanning.

My 2013 diagnosis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma was directly related to just 6 months of indoor tanning. It CAN happen to YOU!

The last accessory you want for prom is a big skin cancer scar. So for prom this year, skip the tanning bed and Go Pale for Prom! I guarantee your dress or tux will look just as glamorous... maybe even better!!

Check out my pic below and you'll see just what I mean! I threw on an old Prom dress to show you how pale skin can be your best accessory... and a big scar can be your worst.  

As always, protect and love the skin you're in.

(Tanning facts provided by American Academy of Dermatology at aad.com) 

Get Naked and Get a Skin Check!

I'm always surprised to learn, when I talk to others about my skin cancer journey, that the majority of people have never seen a dermatologist. Well I'm here to tell you to see one ASAP. It is so important to have your skin checked annually.  A few  minutes a year spent naked with your doctor may just save your life.

However, since many of you have never had a skin check (and will hopefully be making an appointment for one after reading this), I'll tell you a little about what to expect.

First, your doctor's office will ask you to fill out a medical history. It is important to know whether or not any of your close family members have had skin cancer. So ask your mom  dad, grandparents, etc if there is any history of skin cancer in your family, and if so, what kind.

Next, you will be taken into a room, given a paper vest and sheet,  and asked to strip down to your underwear (ladies, you should be removing your bra). 

The doctor will come in and ask you few questions about your skin/medical history and  if there are any moles or "spots" you're concerned with. If there are, he will look at those areas first. Next he will look at your skin overall; usually starting with your head/neck and moving downward, noting anything suspicious. Yes, ladies, the dr will look through your hair to examine your scalp (so you may want to bring a brush).

He will look at all of your skin from your head to between your toes. Don't worry, he will only quickly peek at your tush and under your underwear, unless there is something you need him to examine in that area.

 As long as the doctor doesn't  find any suspicious spots that he wants to examine further, he will remind you to wear your sunscreen and schedule your next skin check for the same time next year. Within 5 minutes you're done! Something so quick and easy could save your life so make an appointment with a dermatologist today!