Thursday, October 25, 2012

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

First off, have you signed up for the Swag Swap yet? If not, shoot me an email at kassiemromero@gmail.com. It's not too late!

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?

12 comments:

  1. Kassie I can't agree more. I was a tanning bed owners dream in high school and some college. Then my mom had to start getting stuff burned off her face because she tanned so much. That hit home - now I am ANTI tanning bed - a spray tan is just as beautiful and does NOT cause cancer (well nothing scientifically proven yet).

    I find beautiful pale skin so much more appealing then the leather look. I know so many girls that still tan CONSTANTLY and look so rough - it makes me sad because they are beautiful without all that jazz.

    Say NO to tanning beds.

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    1. I couldn't agree more! I guess sometimes hindsight is 20/20. I can't wait to get my first spray tan lol..

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  2. I used to be all about it too - especially after moving from Florida to Missouri. I swear I didn't see the sun for the first few months I lived here. Anyway- I just realized it was NOT worth it. By the way - love your wedding pics, you're so beautiful!

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  3. Good for you girl! I go once a year because I am so fair skinned and it always gives me peace of mind!

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  4. No one said anything to you because we were all doing it and thought it looked fab-u-lous! I live for a spray tan these days. Good for you for checking up with derm- I really need to do it too :/

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  5. I was a tanning queen too!! In college I would literally go every day. I was the same as you - dark hair and dark skin, always getting compliments on my "olive complexion" - it was kind of like my trademark (dumb, I know).. Anyways I got a horrible looking mole on my left hip and had to have it removed last year and tested for cancer - that was the scariest week of my life, waiting for the results. Luckily everything came back ok, but it is so NOT worth it!! I haven't gone in a tanning bed since and never will. Good for you for getting checked out and thank goodness you were ok.

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  6. LOL Oh my gosh, dejavu! My mom would take me too...and then I tanned again about 5 years ago for my wedding...but since then I've read so much information about how bad it is, that I know I need to go get checked....I don't have insurance so I keep telling myself I'm sure I'm fine. But it is a really serious thing and I know somehow I need to get checked :/

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  7. I was the exact same way... my friend's dad owned a tanning bed so I tanned ALL through high school and some of Jr. High. I even have some sun spots on my face at 24 years old... what the heck. Now it's spray only!! I am now super paranoid about my moles and have them checked OFTEN!!

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  8. Regarding the breaking out like a teenager when clearly not a teenager anymore. This has been happening to me as well. For me I notice I break out when I start my healthy/ working out phase - I believe it's related to your body sweating. This is something new and it's not accustomed to sweating your ass off multiple time a week. Usually the breakout phase lasts about 4 months and then it fades away. It sucks to feel like a pimply teenage girl - but I rationalize that it's the way my body is getting rid of all the toxins.

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  9. Good for you for getting checked out! And your wedding pics are gorgeous girl!!

    Totally not even related to this post, but trying to figure out a running routine...do you run every day or every other day? Just curious. :)

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  10. I would surely give 10 on 10 for such incredible content.
    botox california

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  11. I have a friend with such case too. After many sessions done on her skin, he noticed some irregularity. At first she was afraid too. But inspite of the fear, she consulted her dermatologist and found the solution. Good that she is OK now, same as you.

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