90% of skin cancers are curable if they’re detected in time. Take a second to let that incredibly powerful fact well and truly sink in, because it could one day save your life.
Skincare and sun care specialist, La Roche-Posay is taking this potent message of prevention around the world with their ‘Be a SkinChecker’ campaign, an initiative that encourages men, women and children to understand the warning signs of skin cancer and check the skin of their loved ones regularly. Anyone can be a SkinChecker – all you have to do is take a bit of time every month and examine skin from top to toe, tracking any changes to skin, moles and beauty spots. Simple!
WATCH: Check your spots! Become a La Roche-Posay SkinChecker
The ABCDE Technique
There are 5 main things to look for when you’re checking moles, and it’s as easy as ‘ABCDE’… literally! Here are the things that you should be keeping an eye on:
• A is for asymmetry – the mole is no longer round, or its colouring is unevenly distributed
• B is for border – the borders of the mole are jagged or irregular
• C is for colour – the mole has developed different patches of colour
• D is for diameter – the mole is larger than 6mm
• E is for evolution – the mole has quickly changed in size, colour or thickness, is inflamed or bleeding, or is behaving unusually
Where should I check?
Everywhere! Skin cancer doesn’t discriminate – it can develop anywhere, so it’s best to check every last square centimetre of your body, even your scalp and the soles of your feet. Check your loved one’s skin and have them check yours, especially areas that you can’t see.
I’ve found something abnormal, what do I do?
Make an appointment with your doctor and have it checked out – don’t leave it until later. If they find that there is cause for concern, you’ll be referred to a specialist who is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
The Anthelios collection
Prevention is better than cure, so make sure that you avoid all unnecessary risks when you’re out in the sun with adequate protection. La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios collection contains a near-unrivalled selection of products to keep all ages, skin types and skin tones happy and safe in the sun – and until Monday 13th June, there’s 25% off the entire collection when you use the code SUN25!
clemmiesbigsister
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Oil Control Dry Touch Gel-Cream SPF50+ 50ml
This product is everything that I have been looking for in a sun cream. I have extremely pale and fairly sensitive skin, and my major skincare concerns are (1) protecting my skin from the sun to prevent ageing, (2) preventing sunburn on hot days and (3) preventing breakouts from clogged skin. So many sun creams smell very strong, so many leave the skin too greasy or shiny (or, worse, a deathly pale white colour) and not enough sun creams have a high, full spectrum SPF that prevents against UVA and UVB. This cream does everything: it's paraben-free and doesn't irritate my sensitive skin, it smells relatively normal, it doesn't leave my skin greasy or overly white (it rubs in almost instantly and is amazingly matte and clear), and, most importantly, it has a very high SPF protection. I wear this on my body and carry the dinky little tube in my bag wherever I go, and twin with daily application of Clarins UV Plus HP Day Screen SPF 40 (absolutely brilliant and also available at Escentual!) on my face. I cannot recommend enough.
