May is Melanoma Awareness Month, an entire month dedicated to helping spread awareness about this deadly form of skin cancer. As this issue affects so many women our age, I thought it was important to dedicate a post to melanoma awareness.
The video above entitled “Dear 16-Year-Old-Me” was filmed to help spread awareness of the risks of melanoma and how to be cautious when it comes to your skin. It’s worth watching. It features a series of melanoma survivors, as well as family members and friends of those of did not survive. It is a story about their experiences and what can be done to prevent this type of skin cancer. This video has touched me emotionally and hit close to home. Melanoma does not discriminate and nobody is immune. Those with this disease fight a tough battle for many years, eventually losing themselves and then their lives. Skin cancer can be prevented and many people will survive melanoma if caught early.
While some people are at greater risk of getting melanoma than others, this is a disease that we should all be aware of. The reason for this is simply because, while enjoying the summer sun may feel nice, the UV rays are harmful to your skin, i.e. the radiation can bring on melanoma and other types of skin cancer. This is the harsh reality of exposing your skin to the sun and worse, tanning beds. However, those with fairer skin and lighter hair and eyes are at an increased risk of developing melanoma. But please note that all skin types are still susceptible to melanoma!
So I encourage all of you to spread the word and to protect your skin, because sun exposure plays a large role in the development of melanoma and long term damage to your skin, there are many ways to reduce your exposure to UV rays – stay out of tanning beds, wear sunscreen and stay out of the sun. Then again, I know we are young and want to enjoy the warm summer weather, but please be safe and protect your skin. Ultimately, sunscreen is one of the best beauty products you can use!
Images from Go With Your Own Glow
Information from The Skin Cancer Foundation
So this summer keep a close eye on your skin and keep track of those moles! Thus instead follow the motto, which was the inspiration for the Go With You Own Glow campaign for The Skin Cancer Foundation that ‘radiant skin is the new beauty ideal.’ This campaign featured a series of color print ads that appealed to people to stop tanning. Going on, according to a group of fashion and beauty insiders, ‘the tanned look is no longer fashionable. The tides have turned and those in the know are going with their own glow.’ As a person who does not enjoy tanning very much, this is incredible new because young people are primarily influenced by magazines and beauty ads. Therefore, news that Beauty Directors such as Jane Larkworthy, of W have had a change in view about exposure to UV rays is a pleasant change and surprise. It is about time that the fashion industry had a say in this issue as it is a large one. ‘Tanning is undesirable – it’s not fashionable or healthy and therefore obsolete as a lifestyle.’ And I must agree. A woman is most beautiful when she has that natural, glowing healthy skin.
So as a final message, please love and protect your skin! Get informed! Visit the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund’s website or The Skin Cancer Foundation's website to get more information.
No comments:
Post a Comment