Bad Beds

http://www.buzzfeed.com/carolynkylstra/skin-cancer-treatment

“If anyone needs a little motivation to not lay in the tanning bed and sun here ya go! This is what skin cancer treatment can look like. Wear sunscreen and get a spray tan. You only get one skin and you should take care of it. Learn from other people’s mistakes. Don’t let tanning prevent you from seeing your children grow up. That’s my biggest fear now that I have a two year old little boy of my own.”

Those are the words of Tawny Willoughby, a 27-year-old woman facing skin cancer treatments after using tanning beds regularly as a teenager.

I actually used tanning beds a few times, back when I was just starting out in the TV news business. I thought it would make me look better on-air. Maybe it did…but I regret doing it, even those half-dozen times or so. I’ve been trying to embrace my paleness a lot more these days. 🙂

Reading Tawny’s story and seeing the Facebook photo she posted after her treatment (warning: it’s not for the faint of heart) made me want to share this post today. I’ve had numerous moles removed from my skin the past 3-4 years. Not exactly enjoyable.

Two of the moles were found to be dysplastic nevi, which aren’t cancerous, but are ones that could have become that way in time. Who knows if the tanning beds contributed to that, but I’m sure they didn’t help.

Basically, I just want to echo Tawny’s advice. Please, don’t take any chances with your skin…and definitely don’t use tanning beds.

Have a great day.

Fun with Fatherhood – Beach Bound

I have a rental car packed with suitcases, a beach umbrella, paddle ball paddles, a football, sunscreen, a blanket, towels, a big bag for collecting seashells…and no socks. Must be time to go to the beach 🙂

Taking the kids on a road trip to the Myrtle Beach for the weekend. Should be awesome. Can’t wait to get back to the place I called home for nearly six years.

I can hear the ocean already…

 

Don’t Fry Day

From the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention’s website:

To help reduce rising rates of skin cancer from overexposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun, the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention has designated the Friday before Memorial Day as “Don’t Fry Day” to encourage sun safety awareness and to remind everyone to protect their skin while enjoying the outdoors. Because no single step can fully protect you and your family from overexposure to UV radiation, follow as many of the following tips as possible:

• Avoid sun burning, intentional tanning, and using tanning beds.
• Apply sunscreen generously
• Wear sun-protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
• Seek shade.
• Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand.
• Get vitamin D safely through food and vitamin D supplements.

Couldn’t have said it better myself. Be smart when you’re out in the sun, everyone!