Solbari Healthy Skin Blog

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Your Story Series: International Women's Day - Inspiring Women

Inspiring women share skin health journeys and staying confidently protected.

Psoriasis Awareness Month: Meet Magenta

Magenta, 23, shares her psoriasis journey and how Solbari aids protection.

Your Story Series: Meet Louisa

My mothering nature of protecting my children has sharpened my perception of the sun which cannot be greeted with a light-hearted attitude. Premature ageing skin and skin cancer risk are my enemies. At the same time, to guard against the sun invasion does not mean I should give up dressing well.

Your Story Series: Meet Laura

Tell us who you are, what you do, and where you’re from. My name is Laura and I live in Chicago with my husband and dog, Aspen. I am a speech-language pathologist and yoga instructor. Tell us a bit about your experience with melanoma. In January 2022, I made an appointment with my dermatologist due to concerns about a changing mole under my right breast. I noticed that the centre was starting to get darker and knew something wasn’t right. Despite seeing a dermatologist annually for full-body skin exams for 10+ years, I had very unhealthy skin habits (including outdoors tanning and use of tanning beds) over the years. I decided not to wait and went 3 months prior to my scheduled yearly exam. Not long after my biopsy, my dermatologist called me on my drive home from work. When she said the word “melanoma,” my world started to spin. A week later, I went to my follow-up appointment for the melanoma to be treated with wide excision. It took about a half hour to complete and several weeks for my body to feel normal again. Fast forward almost 2 years later and my life looks a lot different for the better. What does sun safety mean to you? And what is your attitude towards sun protection today? Sun safety means continuing to live my life but making conscious decisions each and every day to protect my skin. My sister (who is a Dermatology P.A. and fellow melanoma survivor) and I started an Instagram page (Sun_Safety_Sisters) to educate and promote sun safety. We have made it a passion of ours to share our story and knowledge, in hopes of encouraging others to prioritise their skin health. Today, sun protection is a priority and non-negotiable for me. I invest in sunscreen that works for my skin type so I wear it daily. In addition to sunscreen, I wear comfortable and stylish UPF clothing (Solbari is my favourite!), a hat and sunglasses when outside. I seek shade and try to limit sun exposure when the UV index is the highest. What are your best sun protection tips? Limited time outside in the sun when the UV index is the highest, wear daily sunscreen (and re-apply every 2 hours!), seek shade, wear a hat, sunglasses and UPF clothing to maximise your protection. What would you tell other women who aren’t aware of the risks of UV exposure and the importance of sun safety? I would share my melanoma story, educate them on the importance of sun safety and risks associated with tanning, and encourage them to act on their skin health. If someone enjoys being tan, I would recommend that they consider safer alternatives to tanning, such as lotions, gels, sprays, drops and airbrush. I would also remind them that pale is healthy and beautiful! Thank you, Laura, for helping raise awareness of melanoma and the importance of sun protection, and sharing your story with us and our Solbari Community. The Solbari Team Laura is pictured wearing our Vacation Cotton Linen UPF50+ Sun Hat.

Your Story Series: Meet Nick

I'm more serious about sun safety as an adult, particularly so recently with my wife having received treatment for advanced melanoma (Stage 3C). Melanoma is the most common cancer affecting young people, which so many in my age group do not realise.

Your Story Series: Meet Gary

I first discovered skin problems via a visit to a skin cancer clinic in our district twenty years ago and have had lots of varying treatments since, including surgery. The common reference was “this damage was done when you were in your teens and lived in the surf."

Your Story Series: Meet Ken

I like to play lawn bowls, golf and other outdoor activities. I spent quite a bit of time in North Queensland and on the surf beaches in my younger days, with no understanding of the damage sun exposure will cause. I have lived in Queensland for most of my life and had never given sufficient care to the protection of my skin from sun exposure.

Your Story Series: DJ.L

"I would just say to be as diligent as possible, make a habit of being sun smart and remember to maintain that even on days that aren’t necessarily hot or sunny."

Your Story Series: Neil

"In my work we are constantly travelling around the world and often could be described as sun chasers as working on tour in golf, the tournaments have the better chance of completion without delay in warmer countries. I would say that when I am working, I am much more likely to be in the sun than I am on my down time."

Your Story Series: Charlotte Hayes

"I have Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP). EPP is due to an inherited deficiency of the enzyme ferrochelatase. Reduced activity of this enzyme causes a build-up of protoporphyrin in the skin resulting in photosensitivity."

Jarryd Roughead Q&A: The Importance of Sun Protection

Australian rules football coach and former player Jarryd Roughead took the time to answer our questions about his experience with skin cancer.

Tony Richardson shares his best skin health tips

"I love everything about Solbari, from the texture of the clothing to the protection it provides from harmful UV rays."

Skin Health Series: Nina's Story

I have systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE for short. UV rays trigger an autoimmune response that can affect a huge variety of things, to include vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, lungs and brain, as well as skin. Externally you see a rash, known as a “butterfly” rash due to its shape, but the more dangerous issue from these flare-ups is internal organ damage caused by my body’s immune system thinking my own body is the enemy and attacking it. To help prevent flare-ups I have to take a variety of steps daily, and one of the most challenging things has been figuring out how to reduce UV exposure as much as humanly possible. It's harder than you think, too.

Skin Health Series: Hannah's Story

I have a rare skin condition called hydroa vacciaforme, which is a photosensitive condition triggered by the UVA and UVA rays of the sun. It makes my skin blister and boil, leaving behind scars and thin areas of skin. I’ve had this condition for 17 years and in that time, unfortunately, I have found nothing that helps my skin long term. However UV sun protection clothing is helpful to protect my head and my hands!

Skin Health Series: Philomena's Story

Having vitiligo means my skin is seriously sensitive to the sun, making my daily life very difficult to enjoy. I have to wear a high SPF 50+ sun protection cream all year round, but no matter what sun protection I use, my skin will burn after 5 minutes in the sun. Vitiligo is very hard to live with and it has stopped me from enjoying everyday life. I used to love the outdoors: walking, gardening, walking the dog and going to the beach.

Content Disclaimer: All content on the Solbari website is for informational purposes only. It does not consitute and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Reliance on any information provided on this website is solely at your own risk. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions about your health or a medical condition.

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