Last Minute Massage Blog

As a skin cancer patient of two times, I’m constantly applying sunscreen, wearing a hat and covering my body with clothing, even when it’s 1000 degrees outside.  Within the last year, I have had basal cell carcinoma found on my face and surgically removed.  I kinda beat myself up about it, curious as to what I could’ve done to have been more preventative.  I guess growing up on the ocean, being an ocean rescuer and partaking in all sorts of outdoor activites probably didn’t help my case at all.  During these summer days, I make sure not to go outside without wearing a 50 spf and a hat.  So, to help those of you, who are young, who plan on hitting the beach for your summer vacation, or for those of you who run, bike and swim outside, I figured I’d give you some tips to help you prevent getting any skin cancer.

1.  You should try to avoid being in any real harsh direct sunlight, normally between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm.
2.  Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes, wide rimmed hats to protect your face and shirts and such to protect everything else.
3.  Apply a good amount of sunscreen.  I use 50 spf, but 30 is a good spf to start with.  Apply it every two hours or so.  If you’re doing something that makes you sweat, apply it more often.
4.  Try to avoid getting adouble dose of UV rays i.e., avoid places where these rays are reflected off water, snow and sand. 

I know that all of this sounds like a lot of precautions and some sound impossible.  Just do one or tow of these when your exposed to the sun and you should be just fine.  Another line of defense for skin cancer is your massage therapist.  They see most of your body during a massage session, so it kind of makes sense that they could help you in detection.  Don’t depend on them to point out suspicious pots on your body, because A. it’s not their job and B. they’re not educated in this area of expertise, but listne to them if they do see something that is new, larger, discolored, etc.

Other than that, have fun in the sun!  COVER UP!

Thanks,
Tiffany
Last Minute Massage