May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month
š Vinoy Hotel, St. Pete
Dress c/o || Similar Sandals || Handbag || Earrings
Letās rewind the clock a few years. I was a collegiate swimmer at Florida State University. Growing up as a swimmer in the Sunshine State, I had nearly ten years of two practices per day in the sun. I didnāt know it at the time, but my skin was screaming for help. My skin tans extremely easily, so much so that Iām often confused for being Italian or Greek. Since I never burned, I thought that meant I was in the clear. Why would I worry about sunscreen? The answer came to me as I was looking through old pictures. The sun damage on my skin was absolutely horrifying. More important than the fact that it looked awful is that I was putting myself at risk for skin cancer. Since May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Iām very proud to partner with Cabana Life to share a quick reminder to make skin health a top priority. Here are four easy tips to add to your daily routine.
Load Up on Daily SPF
Donāt just save the bottle of sunscreen for the beach or the pool. Each time you go outside, your body is hit with a wave of UV rays. Over the course of your lifetime, that can add up. Since 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer before age 70, itās best to be proactive. Part of my daily routine is putting on a light layer of SPF 40 sunscreen to keep my skin safe. You find the brand thatās right for me, but my favorites are the Unseen Sunscreen from Supergoop because of its clean chemical formula and Coola Organic Sunscreen to keep your whole body safe. Donāt forget some SPF for your lips!
Protect Your Beautiful Face
The skin on your face is thinner and more sensitive than the rest of your body. Itās also the most noticeable part of you. Because of that, you want to take a few extras steps to cover and protect your skin. On my daily walks through the neighborhood, I always grab a wide-brimmed hat to keep my face in the shade. I know it makes a huge difference to keep me cool and out of the intense Florida sun. Obviously, itās essential to wear sunglasses to protect your vision, but they also help protect you from skin cancer as well. I recently learned that melanomas could also form on your eyes, just like any other part of your skin. Look for lenses that have 100% UVA/UVB protection. Krewe is one of my favorite brands and checks all of the boxes to keep my eyes healthy.
Wear An Extra Dose SPF
Cabana Life is a woman-owned company and founded by a skin cancer survivor. While a simple t-shirt typically offers only an equivalent of SPF 5 coverage, their clothing includes SPF 50+. That means it helps block 98% of UVA and UVB rays. While skin safety is their number one goal, they donāt want you to skip on style. Their dresses and tops are perfect for both lounging in the sun and a night on the town. My favorite style is hands down, the Sleeveless Terry Tunic. Available in a wide range of colors, wearing it makes me feel like Iām in a Slim Aarons photo from 1960ās Palm Beach. This style is a classic, but their whole collection is current and fun. For even more protection, youāll love the Long-Sleeve Terry Tunic.
Schedule A Yearly Check-Up
Itās so easy to let annual checkups with your primary care doctor pass by, but thereās one that I never miss out on! Iāve been visiting my local dermatologist annually since I was in middle school. He checks my skin for new spots or ones that may have rapidly grown since my last appointment. While your dermatologist knows what to look for, I recommend making a note of anything new that pops up beforehand. You know your skin best, and new moles or spots may be even more obvious to you. Having an annual dermatologist appointment is also the perfect opportunity to discuss sunscreen recommendations that best match your skin type. If you havenāt seen your dermatologist in a while, book your appointment today!
Having the darkest tan possible was the number one priority when I was younger. My goodness, how things have changed! While I canāt undo the years of damage Iāve done to my skin, skin health is a top priority from here on out. Be kind to your skin, and it will help keep you healthy and beautiful for years to come!
Love from Florida,
Katie
Thank you so much to Cabana Life for working with me on this blog post and sending over this beautiful dress. You can see why I love this woman-owned brand so much here.
