A good friend of mine went to Portland’s Pride Parade and got the worst sunburn he’s ever had. It wasn’t even very hot or sunny. But sun through clouds can get you anyway. His unfortunate (and preventable) bad experience reminded me of a blog that I wrote a few years ago, but it bears repeating now that summer is here. My poor friend ended up blistering badly and there’s no reason for it.
Burns And Prevention
It only takes one bad burn to double your risk of melanoma. When it comes to sunscreen, you must apply enough, and often enough for it to matter. You should be using about a teaspoon for sized amount for your face and about an ounce for your body. You should also be reapplying every two hours or so, and being extra careful about sunshine from approximately 10 am to 4 pm. Harmful rays can still reach you through windows at your office, on trains or in cars. And of course, in water. Summer skin care is serious business!
You should be wearing sunscreen on your face and on exposed skin even when you are not in direct sunlight, even if it’s through clouds. Cosmetics have come a long way in trying to help! I use a CC cream that offers some color with an SPF. I even have a makeup setting spray with an SPF in it. Even if you aren’t big into alot of make-up, you owe it to yourself to find a face lotion that will offer you SPF coverage. Don’t forget to guard the exposed parts of scalp and the part of your hair against sun damage, as well. Sunscreen is your best friend! Have someone help you with the parts that you can’t reach.
Self-Checks, Daily Practice And Fakin’ It
Do a monthly self-check in a full length mirror to watch for any signs of new moles or changing moles. If something appears or changes color or size, don’t mess around. Get thee to the Doctor post-haste for an examination! Cancer doesn’t fuck around, and neither should you!
Really love the look of ‘tan’? Get a self-tanner, silly! Stay away from tanning beds and unprotected sun exposure to stay as healthy (and non-leathery) as possible whether you’re out en femme or not. There’s a reason why Christie Brinkley still looks like a million bucks at 61. She shuns the sun, and that’s good advice!
See you next week!
Miss Amber, this is a great point to make. I usually try to drive it home to our sissy girls because they want to keep their skin looking young. It is really necessary for everyone to reduce skin cancer chances, even if you have darker skin.
Exactly. Skin is the first thing people see, and you have to make it a priority!