As my regular readers would know, I have super pale skin. It took me a while to accept my porcelain complexion,but after years of basting myself in fake tan and too-dark bronzer, I've come to actually appreciate my skin tone.
Despite my desire for a burnished tan, I always used sunscreen, both in summer on the beach and on my exposed and face in my day-to-day life. Without getting too preachy, sunscreen isn't just for us whiteys, but crucial for everyone with an aversion to dying from skin cancer, regardless of your ability to tan (you bitch!).
I mentally hi-fived Past Michaela for being so sunsafe when I had my skin checked out by Consultant dermatologist Dr Stephen Shumack at a work junket for the new interactive iPhone app Know Your Own Skin. The app gives you the tools to check and track any changes in moles, freckles and their ilk and a guide on how to check every inch of your skin for sun damage.
Coming back to me, the heroine in our story of loss and redemption, I plopped my face in the UV photo light thingie (I believe this is the correct technical term) as it took a series of shots.
Above is how I appear to the naked eye, albeit with scary bright lighting. Fairly even texture, without many sun blemishes or visible damage.
Below is the UV image that reveals areas of sun damage.
You can see most of the darker spots, indicating damage, are concentrated on my forehead, chin and across my cheeks. Dr Shumack noted that my nose is unusually pale compared to others in my age group and skin type, thanks to a liberal use of zinc. Out of ten, one being a snowman and ten being Donatella Versace, I rate a respectable two. While it's a bit of a jarring scare tactic, I'll definitely be even more vigilant about protecting my skin after seeing what previous lapses in care have resulted in.
Despite my desire for a burnished tan, I always used sunscreen, both in summer on the beach and on my exposed and face in my day-to-day life. Without getting too preachy, sunscreen isn't just for us whiteys, but crucial for everyone with an aversion to dying from skin cancer, regardless of your ability to tan (you bitch!).
I mentally hi-fived Past Michaela for being so sunsafe when I had my skin checked out by Consultant dermatologist Dr Stephen Shumack at a work junket for the new interactive iPhone app Know Your Own Skin. The app gives you the tools to check and track any changes in moles, freckles and their ilk and a guide on how to check every inch of your skin for sun damage.
Coming back to me, the heroine in our story of loss and redemption, I plopped my face in the UV photo light thingie (I believe this is the correct technical term) as it took a series of shots.
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Below is the UV image that reveals areas of sun damage.
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To prevent future damage, Dr Shumack and the Know Your Own Skin initiative recommend using a daily sunblock (obvious yes, but daily means daily, not just in summer or when you remember). Physical formulas are best, as they provide the best cover, chemical ones are fine, especially for the office plebs like myself. However working outdoors, cycling into work or being a slack student dozing off on the beach demands a physical block, no excuses.
As you age, self-regulation becomes more important as your risk for developing abnormal sun spots increases. While those under 35 are fine to swan up to their doctor's for a suss once a year, those over 40 are encouraged to get looked at every three months.
As a avid fan of not getting cancer, I take care to look after my skin by slathering on and reapplying sunscreen and not standing out in the sun like a total dill. I wholeheartedly recommend you do the same (be sunsmart, not be a total dill).
You can download the Know Your Own Skin app for free from the Apple App Store, or the initiative's homepage here.
