May Is Melanoma Awareness Month, so I want to speak up

Every May I think about how many women are walking into summer without really understanding what's happening to their skin in the sun.

Not because they don't care. But because nobody has actually sat down & explained it to them in a way that feels real, not clinical, not scary, just honest.

So that's what I want to do today.

First things first — I Believe In The Sun

I want to be clear about something before we go any further.

I am not anti-sun. I believe deeply in the power of our circadian rhythms. The way natural light regulates our sleep, our hormones, our mood, our entire internal clock. Morning sunlight is one of the most powerful free tools we have for our health. Time outside matters. Vitamin D matters.

This is not about fear.

This is about information. Because when you understand what's actually happening to your skin with prolonged UV exposure, you can make decisions that let you enjoy the sun & protect yourself at the same time.

That's the goal. Always.

What Melanoma Actually Is

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. It develops in the cells that give your skin its color, the melanocytes, & while it's less common than other skin cancers, it's the most likely to spread if it's not caught early.

What makes it particularly important to talk about is that it doesn't always look dramatic. It can start as something that looks like a mole. A spot that wasn't there before. Something that changed shape or color slowly enough that it was easy to dismiss.

This is why awareness matters. Not panic; awareness.

The Tanning Bed Statistic I Can't Stop Thinking About

Here's something I share with my clients because I think everyone deserves to know it:

Using a tanning bed before the age of 35 increases your risk of melanoma by 59%.

Let that sit for a moment.

59%.

I don't say that to scare you. I say it because so many of us, myself included, grew up in a culture where tanning beds were completely normal. A before vacation thing. A prom thing. A winter glow thing. Nobody was sitting us down & explaining what was actually happening to our skin cells in that machine.

Now we know. & knowing changes things.

If tanning beds are part of your past, that's okay. What matters now is that you're informed, you're monitoring your skin, & you're protecting it going forward.

What Continuous Sun Exposure Does Over Time

Even without a tanning bed, continuous unprotected sun exposure accumulates. This is something I see in the treatment room regularly: sun damage that built up quietly over years, showing up now as uneven tone, texture changes, premature aging & compromised skin barrier function.

Chronic UV radiation breaks down collagen. It triggers inflammation. It disrupts melanin production & creates the kind of cellular stress that shows up on your face long after the tan fades.

The sun you got at 22 is still a conversation your skin is having at 35.

This is why daily SPF isn't just a skincare step. It's one of the most important investments you can make in your long term skin health & honestly, in your overall health.

What To Actually Look For

The ABCDE rule is the easiest way to self monitor:

A — Asymmetry. One half doesn't match the other.

B — Border. Edges are irregular, ragged or blurred.

C — Color. Multiple shades of brown, black, red, white or blue in one spot.

D — Diameter. Larger than a pencil eraser — though melanoma can be smaller.

E — Evolving. Any mole or spot that is changing in size, shape or color.

If anything on your skin fits any of these, please see a dermatologist. Not someday. Soon.

On Sunscreen: Because Yes, I Have You Covered

Daily SPF is the strongest tool in your belt when it comes to daily exposure. & I'm particular about what I recommend because not all sunscreens are created equal. Especially for women who care about clean formulations & real skin health.

At Paraluman I carry Mixi & Circadia, both of which I use & trust on my own skin. They protect without disrupting your barrier, they wear beautifully under makeup & they're formulated with ingredients I'm proud to put on my clients' skin.

If you need a recommendation for your specific skin type, reply to this email or DM me, I'm happy to point you in the right direction.

The Bottom Line

Your skin is worth protecting. Not just for how it looks, but for what it's doing for you every single day.

Wear your SPF. Get outside in the morning light. Monitor your skin. See a dermatologist for annual checks if you haven't already.

& if you want to talk about what your skin actually needs this summer, from protection to treatment to a routine that works with the season, book a consultation at Paraluman & let's build that together.

You deserve to enjoy the sun & keep your skin healthy for a lifetime.

With love, Cheyenne

Paraluman Esthetics · Sculptural Facial & Lymphatic Flow Specialist Hickory, NC · paralumanesthetics.com