My Skin Cancer Story: A Warning Against the Tan Line Trend
Katherine is Adore Beauty's Business Development Manager for Retail Marketing.
I grew up in the '80s and '90s. There were no rules at school like “no hat, no play” and the times I actually put sunscreen on were when I was either with friends at the beach or hanging out at my local pools.
The routine or process was so specific to summer and being by the water. That’s how it was - you still had TV ads promoting coconut oil for a greater tan (insert melting face emoji).
Gradually though the message was coming out at how damaging the sun can be.
The start of the “Slip, Slop, Slap” campaign and the messaging that between 11 and 3PM you need to sit under a tree! But we didn't really take too much notice…
TikTok this summer has seen the rise of the alarming tan lines trend, which for those unfamiliar is mostly Gen-Z showing off their tan lines beneath tube tops and being quite proud of it.
Quite startling given the work done by many organisations, beauty companies etc. to send the important message on the need for wearing SPF 365 days a year as well as bringing to our attention the rise of skin cancers in Australia.
Why Is It Important to Wear Sunscreen?
When I started working at Adore Beauty over two years ago, I must admit, my level of sunsmart really consisted of SPF when it was sunny.
Now, every day, I use SPF and for very good reason.
I have that skin type that was freckly as a kid and burns easily. I don't tan, I go red and peel and have had a couple of experiences that have scared me for life.
One time, when I was about 17, I was at the beach with my GFs, it was an overcast, not-so-warm day.
Later that night, I was so sick from sun stroke and for the next week dealt with second degree burns on my legs!!
I couldn't straighten them properly due to the swelling.
I said to myself, never again.
How Is Skin Cancer Diagnosed?
So I have always been aware of my skin and its propensity to burn as well as the many freckles, sun spots and moles I have.
Last month I discovered a red mark on my nose. I was super aware as my mum recently had a skin cancer removed from her nose.
It was a lesion that she had for a few years, was misdiagnosed and thankfully removed before it got too nasty.
With that in mind, I booked for a check up at my local MoleSpot clinic.
Pre-covid I had done a full body check and over the last couple of years had specific spots checked but it had been some time since my last full check up.
By chance, my doctor recommended, based on my skin type, that I have a full skin check and she had the time to do it. It is here that I am extremely grateful...
Reluctantly, because, you know, we are always so super busy, I sat in my underwear while she inspected every mole, freckle, mark on my body, including through my hair.
A dozen or so were circled for further examination and pictures taken.
She got to one on my upper leg. One that I always kept a close eye on because it was one that copped sunburn all those years ago.
I always applied sunscreen (well most of the time) and I watched it like a hawk. In my eyes, I hadn't noticed any changes.
In her eyes, she said to me it looks like an early stage melanoma. What the actual…
Then, she got to a lesion on my arm - one I had suspected to be something sinister because my dad had skin like mine and a history of skin cancer. And again, her response - "early stage skin cancer."
From here, I had biopsies done on my leg, my arm and my nose.
A week later confirmation. My leg was in fact an early stage melanoma, my arm, a basal skin cancer - very common type of non-melanoma skin cancer caused by too much sun exposure.
Mainly, exposure due to all my walks with my (very cute) Labrador where I always put sunscreen on my face but not so much on my arms.
And as for my nose? 100% sun damage.
Over the last month, I have had the melanoma and the basal skin cancer removed.
I have a 7cm scar on my upper leg and a slightly smaller one on my arm, which I feel a little self conscious of but I prefer that to what could have been.
I feel so incredibly lucky that my doctor suggested to me a full skin check. Because, deep down, I know, I would not have had them checked for quite some time. That's the scary thing.
I am a big believer in things happening for a reason. And I hope that this prompts all of you to please get a skin check, don't wait.
Sunscreen Benefits for Skin.
I cannot stress enough the importance of wearing sunscreen and hope my story shows this.
I Slip, Slop, Slap *every. day* - not always under a tree but when I am outside, I wear SPF on my exposed skin and have also opted for a visor on my walks and UV protected clothing (because wearing sunscreen is just one part of sun safety).
I also carry my sunscreen with me for top-ups during the day because I don't ever want to put myself and my family through that scary time again.
Here are my sunscreen go to’s for being sun smart all year round:
For my face:
- AB LAB by Adore Beauty Dewy-C SPF50+ Facial Sun Milk 75mL - Lightweight, includes Vitamin C (yass!) I am a big lover of all the skin care benefits available in sunscreens and it's also great under makeup!
- Ultra Violette Fave Fluid SPF50+ Ultralight SKINSCREEN 75ml - Again, lightweight with Niacinamide - another favourite of mine.
- Ultra Violette Preen Screen SPF50 Reapplication Mist SKINSCREEN 75ml - This is in my bag for reapplication especially when I am on the road.
For my body:
- Avene Sunsitive Sunscreen Fluid Spf 50+ 50ml - A lightweight sunscreen for the face. Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic. Is dermatologically and clinically tested.
- Ultra Violette Extreme Screen Hydrating Hand & Body SKINSCREEN SPF50+ 150ml - Ultra lightweight, with a hint of shimmer and is 4 hour water resistant.
- And if I am looking for a glow, I am loving the Three Warriors Natural Gradual Tan and for a tinted SPF I can replace with wearing makeup on no makeup-makeup days I use the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+
Final Thoughts...
My message for you dear readers, is if you are still not quite sure if you should get your skin checked, get it checked.
I am having a mole map done next month and will require three monthly check ups for the next 12 months.
It is worth it. Please, stay sun safe.
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