I’m a reformed tanner, so you won’t hear judgment from me. But let’s face the facts: The sun not only causes wrinkles, saggy skin and weird blotches and spots, but it can also be downright toxic. You know it, I know it — it’s just a matter of us all acting on the knowledge.
I’m not usually one for scare tactics, but I want you to take this seriously: The most common cancer in women ages 25 to 29 is also the scariest type, melanoma, and it can kill you. But not if you take good care of your skin, and that’s why I’ve adopted these steps. They’re now as routine to me as putting on sunscreen every day (you are doing that, right?!).
Do a monthly self-check.
No one is more likely to catch new or changing moles or spots than you, but don’t just leave it to chance. Make a date with yourself once a month to examine every inch of your skin. (I go through my calendar for the whole year and mark “skin check” on the 15th of every month to make sure I remember.) Not sure what to do? It’s truly easy. Get simple instructions and a downloadable body map from SELF tools.
Book an expert exam.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, so you’ll see tons of coverage (besides what you’re reading now). Let it be your cue to make a date with your dermatologist for a head-to-toe check as an additional safeguard to your monthly self-checks. Skin cancers caught early are nearly 100 percent curable. And here’s more motivation: From May to July, you can book free checks for you and a friend, courtesy of Olay and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Visit ASDS.net.
Spread the word.
Now that you’ve made a safe-skin commitment, send e-cards (these are some very cute ones) to all your friends to remind them about the importance of sun protection. For every five cards you send, Neutrogena will make a donation to cancer research.
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