10 April 2012

Dear 16-Year-Old Me


I grew up in an area where all the girls start fake baking in middle school.  Being super duper dark tanned in the middle of January when you hadn't been on vacation anywhere was totally the norm.  I'm proud to say I have never set foot in a tanning bed and won't ever do so.  But I have been guilty of laying out in the sun for too long with too little sunscreen.  I've had a few bad burns.  I'm not innocent.

I saw this article on MSNBC yesterday and posted it to my Facebook wall along with the simple message, "Ladies, STOP fake baking". In turn, a friend of mine posted the below video.  Watch it all the way through and try not to cry.  This video encouraged me to do something I've been putting off for awhile: I made an appointment for M and me to go to the dermatologist for full body checks, much like Barefoot Bird and the Badger did last year.



I urge each of you to do the same thing and make time for 10-minute monthly skin checks.  You can get more information here and tips for staying stylish while being smart can be found at sun savvy.

As we approach the lazy days of summer, let's all be safe while in pursuit of that perfect glow.  Try a spray tan or tanning lotion.  Or better yet, embrace your natural skin color and be beautiful just the way you are.

4 comments:

MHM1314 said...

SO IMPORTANT. I wear a hat in the summer and SPF 50 at least. I'm very fair and yes, have had my share of very bad burns - one from Aruba in 2005 I know has caused permanent damage, since if I take a super hot shower or sit in a jacuzzi, I can see the lines from that bathing suit pop back up if my skin is deeply hot and red. Awful. Both my paternal grandparents have had surgery on their faces to remove basal cells as has my father. I'm a fanatic about sunscreen these days.

katie lake said...

Totally teared up! I wear a body lotion and face lotion everyday that has an spf in it. As a blonde with fair skin I know I am at a higher risk!

Unknown said...

I hate that I went to the tanning bed DAILY for years. Hate hate hate that I did that to myself. I'm calling to go to the derm tomorrow.

Portuguese Prepster said...

My mom was always super vigilant about slathering sunscreen on me and I'm happy the habit stuck!