Throwback Thursday and my trip to the Dermatologist (fun times, I know)

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Now, back to your regularly scheduled broadcast...
In all seriousness, please think before tanning in a tanning bed! Being tan and all Pochahontas like ain't worth skin cancer, in no way, shape or form.

When I was in high school, being a little on the chub side, the only thing I felt like I had going for me was my long black hair and my bangin' tan. I got complimented constantly on my tan and complexion and since that was the only thing people seemed to notice positively, I felt like I had to keep up with it. I remember my first tanning membership was before I could drive. My mom would bring me to the salon 3-4 times a week and wait. in. her. car. till I was done. How amazing was my mama? And how bratty was I for letting my mom do that?

Anyway, my tanning habit continued and got stronger once I was driving and by the time I graduated high school I was full-on oompa loompa orange. I wish somebody would've told me. (a little throwback thursday for yall..)

The tanning tapered off a little in college mostly because of lack of time, but also lack of money. College kids are broke. I would start up again a few months before big events. Most recently, after not tanning for over two years, I started again before my bridals. Why? You couldn't even tell!

I decided after that I would never do it again. While I know what kind of damage it could cause, the vain side of me just kept on. Not again though. I didn't tan in preparation for the wedding and to be honest, I think I looked the same.

Anyway, I have been putting off going to the dermatologist for about a year. I had been having breakouts on my chin starting after I graduated college. Seriously, who never has a single zit in high school then suddenly goes through late puberty as an adult?! I would have gone get this situated a long time ago, but to be quite honest, I was so afraid. What had all those years of tanning really done to me? Were those freckles really freckles? A girl I know passed away last year from skin cancer. She was only 27 years old. I know I am not invincible.

I finally buckled down and scheduled an appointment. Thank GOD everything checked out okay. I am pastey as hell but I am cancer free. Nothing even looked suspicious. My derm also told me that breakouts in the chin area are purely hormonal (which I knew already) but what I didn't know is that no amount of creams or gels or topical ointments can fix it. The only way to fix it is within, and I would have to take an anti inflammatory for about a month. Who knew? She also prescribed a spot treatment but it will only reduce redness. Nothing makes zits just vanish, unfortunately for me.

The moral of the story is, don't wait to check something out just because you are scared. While I was lucky, I could've caused serious damage to my skin, all to look tan. How stupid is that?