By Shannon McKinstrie | May 25, 2017
10:05 AM
I grew up in the ’80s, back when my parents had suntan oil in their beach bags, not sunscreen. My mom was diligent about putting SPF 15 sunscreen on me (which was the strongest I knew of at the time), but I would beg for the oil because that’s what the adults were using.
As a child, I tanned easily, and it was ingrained in me that darker skin made you appear healthier. I remember people saying “Wow, you look so tan!.” Hearing that made me feel good about myself. Whether it was visiting Tampa for Spring Break or spending a week in the Outer Banks during the summer, I would return home several shades darker and would feel beautifully sun-kissed. That was when I was just a kid. Now, as an adult, I still crave summer so I can say goodbye to my pale, winter skin — except now I know better.
I’m 34 and can see the damage I’ve done to my skin over the years. I opt for spray tans over tanning beds and use stronger sunscreen. I use SPF 30 or higher when I’m at the pool or beach, and I wear sunscreen every single day, no matter the weather. I also teach my daughter to do the same.
These days, I have done my sun safety research and have learned that just five severe sunburns double your chances of developing skin cancer. I also know that 90% of skin aging is caused by the sun. Now, I’m paying for my reckless tanning habits of the past with anti-aging creams and frequent dermatologist visits. I check my skin for damage at least once a month and regret the days of oil and sunburns. All I can do is pass my new found love of sun safety on to my daughter and hope that we can help others by spreading the word.
Now that DermalYouth is part of our daily skincare routine, we can leave our house feeling confident knowing our skin is protected from the sun every single day.
Be sure to toss the oil and sun reflectors this summer and embrace the sun with DermalYouth by your side.
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