A Cautionary Tale

In an instant—everything can change….

Today is a notable day for several reasons, one I’d really rather not note though.

On July 8, 2013, one year to the day that my mother passed away from cancer, 

my dermatologist called to deliver a diagnosis of malignant melanoma. 

It was already a “raw’ day for me emotionally and the news hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt like I was dreaming. Hearing the word “malignant” is very unnerving.

This was just 10 days after I started my skincare business. I don’t really think that was a coincidence – God made it very clear to me then that a big part of my focus was to be on skin cancer prevention!

On July 10th I had a “chunk” of tissue removed from my arm. It was necessary to remove such a large area to get clear margins because the melanoma was atypical (pink) & aggressive… it had roots. I shudder to think what would’ve happened if I had not been scheduled for this skin screening. I now bear a “mattress stitch” scar on the inner part of my upper arm just above my elbow, a reminder to be diligent in protecting my skin. I take the sun very seriously now, wearing sun-blocking UPF shirts when I’m running and working in the yard now as well as wide-brimmed hats & sunglasses.  I cover the exposed areas of my skin with our Face and Body 50spf sunscreen & protect my lips with our Lip Shield with 25spf.

I wasn’t always this careful though – I am, sadly, a former “sun worshipper” who was truly ADDICTED to the sun. I thought I was being sun safe by using sunscreen & avoiding the sun between 10 & 4 but don’t deceive yourself- there’s really no such thing!

One of the hardest things for me to get over was that I did this to myself!

The regret is heavy.

Thankfully I’ve gone 11 years after that diagnosis without a recurrence of melanoma even though I’ve had three more skin cancers – basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. I’m always careful to point out any places I’ve noticed changes in to be safe.

BTW, women tend to have more occurrences on their legs & arms whereas men experience more skin cancer on their trunk, head and neck.

Let me give you a little back story. It’s better to be aware.

In the spring of 2013 my body was trying to tell me something wasn’t right.   We went to the beach for spring break. I’d been to the tanning bed a couple of times just to get a little color and experienced itchy skin. During the few days we were at the beach I began itching terribly. I wasn’t sure why. Was I allergic to something? 

I didn’t know it but you can develop a sensitivity to the sun. It happens most often in spring and early summer. 

It seems the immune system treats sun-altered skin as foreign cells, leading to reactions such as a rash, blisters or hives. It can happen after only a few moments of exposure to the sun or any UV light source such as a tanning bed. 

As spring turned to summer, I began to notice a spot that looked like a pink bug bite. That’s what I pointed out to my dermatologist.

I was so concerned about my fine lines and wrinkles at the timebut I wasn’t making the connection between my tanning and premature aging.  😬 I was in denial about the damage I was causing to my skin.

I had tried the Rodan+ Fields Redefine anti-aging regimen in mid June of that year and loved it. I could feel the active ingredients working on my face, especially around my eyes. It was like nothing I’d ever experienced even though I’d been using  premium products from my  dermatologist’s office. 

When I saw they had products for my hubby’s sensitivity, my daughter’s cystic acne, as well as my aging and sun-damaged skin, I signed on as a Consultant in late June. 

God had been preparing me for what was coming…  He’d been trying to get my attention that spring and guiding me to be where I am today. He allowed me to go through my experience with melanoma so I could be HERE to caution people and watch out for our grands. He is so good! 

Maeley was here to swim the other day and  after she put on her sunscreen, she wanted to share a demo on using spray sunscreen so be sure to watch below  for her tips on IG. 

All sunscreen is not the same, and there’s a reason we make so many different kinds to address the needs of different skin concerns. We have something for every face and body from those with blemish-prone skin, sensitive skin, sun damaged skin, mature skin, a tinted moisturizer with spf that replaces traditional foundation and two different lip products with spf in them.

Good Housekeeping named our Essentials Face & Body 50 spf sunscreen #1 of 60 sunscreens in 2022 & 2023.

Check them out here and be sure to take a peek at our new Plumping Lip Oil with 28spf. https://dinahsmith.myrandf.com/en-us/

My mission is to teach people how to take care & love of the skin they’re in. I’d love to have the chance to help you avoid the damage I inflicted on my skin and skin cancer. Trust me~ Sunscreen is a lot easier and cheaper!