Peggy Jaeger, Author

Yesterday I had my 9th skin cancer surgery.

Yeah, I know. Le sigh.

A decent-sized protuberance was removed using Moh’s surgery by my dermatologist on my right temple. I’ve had removals now on my thighs, back, shoulder and face (multiple ones here). I’m starting to look like one of those dolls in a cartoon that’s stitched together. The scars are horrible and because I am so fair, they are prominent.

Thank goodness for makeup.

The types of cancer I’ve had removed have ranged from basel cell to squamous to melanoma. I’m not going to go into detail about why they are so different, but they all suck, let’s just say that, with the melanoma being the worst for me.

The reason I have all this skin cancer is because in my younger years, I was a sun worshipper. I didn’t come by it naturally. My mother would routinely rub baby oil and iodine on me as a child and tell me to go outside and get “some color” because I was so naturally pale. Being of 100% Irish heritage will do that to a person. So I did. Typically, at the start of every summer, I would burn to a crisp, first thing, then after a few weeks my skin would turn into a healthy-looking deep tan. I had tan lines that were almost comical in the difference between my covered-up skin and my exposed.

This was the norm for the first 25 years of my life. Although, as an adult, I switched from the baby oil to a sun-tanning solution. Always with an SPF that was a 2 or 4 because I wanted those rays absorbed.

I stopped tanning regularly at the age of 30 ( because I was too busy) and then in my forties I went on a few cruises and used tanning beds to start a tan so I wouldn’t burn on the trip and have it ruined.

Yeah…I know. Le sigh.

Now, I am paying for all of that ridiculousness.

So, here’s my PSA for today, garnered from a lifetime of experience: Don’t sun worship. Cover up when you are out in the sun. Wear a high SPF block ( NOT a 2!) but a 45+. And don’t listen to those people who say anything higher than a 30 isn’t worth it. If I wear a 30, within 10 minutes I am burning. The only number that keeps the sun from penetrating my skin is 100. Maybe you don’t have to go that high, but the higher you can go, the better. Wear a hat. ALWAYS! I love my hats and use them, as fashion statements. Don’t bake in the sun, even when you are on vacay. Repeat the sunblock solution often if you are swimming or doing something where you will sweat.

Here’s my truth: I hate my scars.

I hate the fact that I did this to myself and could have prevented it.

I hate that I now need to wear makeup on my face whenever I am doing a public event because I don’t want to scare people with my scars.

And I hate that, despite all the warnings against sun exposure we now have, people still don’t listen and just bake in the sun like cookies in an oven, all for the sake of beauty.

Take care of your skin, peeps. It’s your biggest organ and the first thing anyone sees.

~ Peg