Tanning 101-- Sunscreen Tips From A MelanToma Survivor

Being tan is "in" these days. From tanning salons to outdoor sunning, everyone's getting their fair share of golden hues. And unbeknownst to them, they're also getting their fair share of sun damage. Melissa Papock learned the hard way when she was diagnosed with malignant melanoma at the age of 26. She's not alone. It's estimated that more than a million people are going to be diagnosed with skin cancer this year.

With so many susceptible, the melanoma survivor decided to take sun-protection matters into her own hands. "When my dermatologist suggested I wear sun-protective clothing, there were not many fashionable choices out there," she explains. So Papock created Cabana Life, which offers stylish clothing with 50+ UV protection for adults and children. "I feel it's my responsibility to raise awareness and communicate to the general public that sun safety is something that everyone must think about everyday—not just during the summer months," she points out.

Beyond sun-protective clothing, the Cabana Life founder advises all to take advantage of the great sunscreens out on the market. "With global warming becoming more of a harsh reality, we all have to become more proactive when it comes to protection from sun exposure," says Papock. "A few simple steps can add years to your life, not to mention, a youthful, healthy glow to your skin."

If that's not enough to convince you to protect yourself from the sun, read on for more warnings and safety tips from Papock ...

Whats the most important thing to remember when it comes to protecting your skin from the sun?

The most important thing to keep in mind is the fact that everyone is susceptible to skin cancer. No matter how light or dark your skin is, we all have to be protect ourselves by using sunblock and wearing protective clothing.

Also, don't forget about protecting your scalp, an area that is often overlooked when applying sunblock.

What are your top five product recommendations for sun protection?

• A good daily moisturizer is essential—any moisturizer from Neutrogena with sun protection will do the trick. They're great and very light on the skin.
• My favorite sunblock: Dr. T Supergoop
• Don't forget to protect your eyes. A great pair of fashionable sunglasses that offer broad spectrum protection are also a must-have.
• A sun hat from Cabana Life
• Protect your lips with sunscreen, too. Dr. T Supergoop makes a great one: SPF 30 Pocket Sticks for Lips Only.

What are beauty mavens, who go tanning, doing to their skin?

Very simply put, they are adding years to the appearance of their skin and drastically increasing their chances of getting some form of skin cancer.

If that doesn't convince them to tan with SPF protection, consider these facts:

• More women die from melanoma than from any other skin cancer.
• Over 90 percent of skin cancers are caused by sun exposure.
• One in five Americans will contract skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.
• More than a million people will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year.
• One person dies every hour from skin cancer, primarily melanoma.

Do you have any words of wisdom or advice for tanning mavens?

You can still enjoy a day at the beach or a week-long vacation in Hawaii. Just be sure to apply sunblock before going outside. And, re-apply after a couple of hours or after taking a dip in the pool. Sun protective clothing is becoming more and more of an essential, too. It offers another protective layer, in addition to sunblock. Keep your head covered, as your scalp is an area that can get hit the hardest, and is the last place that we remember to apply sunblock to.

Most people don't know this, but their clothing can play a role in skincare, right? In terms of fashion what types of clothes are great for keeping skin healthy while still looking fabulous?

Most lightweight clothing doesn't offer enough protection from the sun. Sun protective clothing is one of the most exciting developments in sun protection today. Cabana Life, which uses High-IQ Sun Protection on fabrics, is one of the few brands that offer fashion-conscious clothing with a UPF of 50+ (UPF measures the amount of ultraviolet radiation that reaches the skin after penetrating a fabric), blocking 98 percent of harmful UV rays. This is the highest rating given for sun-protective clothing.

In terms of silhouettes, look for tunics and hats. They are so easy to throw into your beach bag and over your swimsuit. Beach pants are also ideal—you can wear them over your swimsuit by the pool after you've gotten enough sun. They're also great if you're planning to shop or take a walk on the beach.

source from http://beauty.ivillage.com