• Mott 50 Marilyn Open Cardigan:  It’s not new, but it’s a must.  Soft, breathable, UPF 50 and a great piece to keep in your bag for long days in the sun.
• Mott 50 PaleGirl Track Pant:  Yes, I’m slightly biased since I designed these pants, but I’m obsessed!  UPF 50, super soft and perfect paired with a tank and the Marilyn Open Cardigan!
• Athleta Breezy Bomber:  Love this UPF 50 bomber jacket over a tank dress for arm and shoulder protection.
• The Seea Doheny Aquaflor Rashguard:  If you’re a surfer – or just want to look like one – this rashguard is for you!  It’s made like a wetsuit so it’s a tight fit.  The fabric lasts and lasts with no fading or pilling.
• Billabong Skinny Sea Legs Surf Pant:  Whether you’re surfing the waves or chasing your kids around in the sand, these leggings are a must for long days at beach or pool.
• Tasc Performance Sideline Zip:  A work-out shirt like no other.  Perfect for hiking, running or yoga – it will keep you cool and looking good!

So what does this mean for all us ruddy, carrot tops running around with oversized hats and parasols?  It means that if you’re a redhead, sun protection alone isn’t enough to avoid melanoma.  It also means that parents with redheaded children need to start their kids early with dermatology check-ups and make it an annual routine.

Avoiding over exposure to UV rays – both indoor and out – is still crucial, but it’s not the whole picture.  This study proves, more than ever, the importance of yearly or bi-yearly full body skin checks.  A thorough skin check can catch anything brewing and you can get it removed while it’s still curable.  Early detection has saved my life three times over.  I protect myself with sunscreen and sun protective clothing, but it’s my vigilance with check-ups that has kept me healthy.  Yes, a dermatologist may become your best friend.  …It’s a hell of a lot better than an oncologist.  Trust me.

Let your kids choose their own sunscreen:  Obviously this isn’t relevant for little, little ones, but once your children are in elementary school they are ready to pick their protection.  Give them a few great sunscreen options and then let them make the final call.  Just like adults, kids have a preference when it comes to texture and fragrance.  You’ll have a much easier time getting them to wear a product if they’ve picked it themselves.

Consider using sunscreen sticks or powders:  The goal is to get your kids applying their own sunscreen as young as possible, and doing a good job at it!  You need to help them until you’re confident they’re thorough.  Sticks and powders are nice because they’re less messy and easier for little hands to apply.  Go with a large body stick like Solar Sense Clear Zinc Body Stick or the new mineral powder, Tickle Time.  The powders are great for the scalp as well!

Find lotions that rub-in easily:  There’s nothing worse that spending an extra five minutes rubbing and praying that the super thick zinc will “soak in”.  I typically stick to zinc based products, but try to stay away from the ones with a toothpaste like consistency.  Try Elemental Herbs Sunscreen SPORT SPF 30 or TruKids Sunny Days.

I used to try and tan all the time not realizing I’m a pale girl with freckles, and laying out in the sun for hours is probably not the best idea. I then noticed a small bump on my upper left shoulder, and thought nothing of it because I was a teenager who knew nothing about melanoma or skin cancer in general.  So it got bigger a lot faster, to the point I could see the lump through my shirt. My mom saw it and made a appointment with my doctor who removed it as soon as she saw it.

It only took a week to get a phone call that I had cancer. I’ll never forget coming home from school with my whole family sitting on the couch waiting for me to get home. It happend so fast after that. I went into surgery at UCLA hospital where they removed a huge part of my shoulder and some lymph nodes. My family was of course very worried about me and my friends as well. I’m 28 years old now, and still have surgeries to this day (had one 6 months ago).  But because of them I have been cancer free! It definatly has changed my life. I used to be very upset about all my scars, but I think now that I’m older I realize that I shouldnt be ashamed I should be proud because I am a Survivor! These scars are a reminder of how strong I am. Same with anyone going through the same thing I did. I regret not knowing the dangers of it when I was younger, but I wouldnt be who I am today without having that experience.

Now I bug everyone to always wear their sunscreen! =)

Twenty-three, that’s how old I was when I got the dreaded phone call from my dermatologist. That, “Hi Christine, How are you? I’ve got good news and bad news.” Yeah, that call.  “The bad news, you have Melanoma. The good news, we caught it early.”

A small, irregular mole showed up on the backside of my right arm. My mom noticed it and insisted that I get it checked out. I was resistant; I thought ‘it’s okay.’  My dermatologist told me time and time again, “The sun is dangerous, wear sun block, don’t tan” but I always said, “It will never happen to me.”

I got the call June 21, 2012. I was driving back to Fayetteville, Arkansas after spending my days off at home, in Dallas, with my parents.  Fear, panic and about a million questions rushed over me.  The initial reports came in as a severely dysplastic mole. A month later, the Little Rock pathologists decided it was Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

I started tanning when I was just 14-years-old now here I am 23 and basically forbidden from the sun.

July 6th I had a chunk cut out of my right arm, just to make sure they got all of the Melanoma. My incision was about 6 inches long and went all the way to the muscle. Now, I am left with the scar, a constant reminder.

I am two months cancer-free.

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100% of the proceeds from this amazing necklace go to The Melanoma Research Foundation.

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The first step in a successful burn-free summer is talking with your kids about the importance of sun protection.  If you haven’t already, take the time to explain how essential sunscreen is for the health of their skin.  The earlier you start incorporating sun protection into your kids daily routine, the more likely they’ll continue these patterns as they get older and become independent.  We can only slather them for so long!  Before you know it, they’ll be swatting your hand away and insisting they can do it better, faster, blah, blah, blah!

The next step in warm weather protection is finding sunscreen that your kids love…or at least tolerate.  Sunscreen sticks and sprays are faster, easier and just plain more practical for camp situations or application on the run.  Practicality is key.  Yes, in the perfect world, our kids would take the time to thoroughly apply a thick, white, mineral based sunscreen.  They would love us for keeping them safe – hug us and write “thank you” notes every time we remind them to put on a hat and sunglasses…but this will never happen!

After trying dozens and dozens of sunscreens on myself and my girls, here are my current top picks for sprays and sticks.  But again, remember, it’s all about personal taste.  Go with what works for you and your family!

• MDSolarSciences Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 40:  Mineral based, great for lips, face and hands, water resistant for 80 minutes, and fragrance free.  It does have a slight white appearance, but it goes on really smooth.
• Vertra Elemental Resistance SPF 28:  Amazing texture and it comes in three colors.  It’s water resistant and even the white stick goes on transparent.
• Waterman’s Applied Science SPF 55:  Order it in skin tone and you’ll be chalk-free!  I use this when I paddle board and, when applied often enough, you will NOT get sun.  Great for kids with medium skin tone.
• Solar Sense Clear Zinc SPORT Body Stick SPF 50:  It’s like deodorant for your face!  This stick is great because it’s literally the size of a stick of deodorant.  It goes on quick and has a subtle fresh scent.  Contains green tea and aloe.
• Coola Sport SPF 35 Pina Colada Spray:  97% organic, water resistant for 40 minutes and non-nano.  This stuff smells so delicious you’re going to crave a blended Pina Colada for sure!
• MDSolarSciences SPF 40 Quick Dry Body Spray:  Non-greasy, very water resistant (80 minutes) and fragrance free.

If its one thing I have taken from this, is that I will never let my children succumb to the peer pressure to be tan that I did and my mother did when she was young.  My mom often told me stories of when she was a teenager and how she would put baby oil on and lie out in the sun, this was in the 60′s-70′s, I guess they didn’t know any better.  I often went tanning as a teenager and never once thought anything of it.  Now, if I could go back, knowing what I do, I wouldn’t care how pale my skin was.  My two girls, who are fair skinned, freckled, blue eyed and red haired, know they never go outside without sun protection.  We lather on the sunscreen, wear our long sleeved rash guards and still enjoy ourselves.  I have even taken them with me to each and every skin check I have had, I want them to be comfortable with it, as one day they will need to go themselves.

Every once in a while my four year old will ask me why my mommy had to die. My simple answer to her is, she didn’t have to. If only she wouldn’t have cared that she was pale, if only years ago sun screen usage would have been encouraged, if only she would have known the damage it could cause, she would not have had to die.