How to Protect Your Skin: Minimize Skin Cancer Scars

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyMederma #CollectiveBias

Five years ago this month, I had my first surgery for Melanoma. At the time I didn't realize the seriousness of the situation. I had Basil Cell Carcinoma in high school on my upper back, where the doctor excised a small football shape around the mole and that was it. I thought Melanoma was going to be the same route, and gosh I was wrong. 

I've been checked every 6 months since that surgery and this past month they found 2 more spots of Melanoma, because of these routine appointments I have tons of biopsy scars all over my body. I always tell the doctors that I'd rather have scars than skin cancer! With this being my life the past few years, Mederma has become my best friend! This post has some steps on how to take care of and reduce the appearance of those biopsy scars. 

1. Use skincare products with SPF 

Sunscreen. Sunscreen. Sunscreen. Can I say that enough? The tan is not worth it! There are some amazing sunless tanning products on the market now, so there is no reason to be exposing your bare skin to the sun! 

The Mederma Scar Cream with SPF 30 Sunscreen can be used on fresh scars to help protect from the sun. It is the #1 scar and pharmacist recommended brand to help smooth and soften the look of your scars.  I applied this to the new biopsy scar on my upper arm. 

2. Protect your skin from the sun; wear a hat! 

Another way to protect your skin and scars is to wear a hat and sunglasses; it's a great excuse to go shopping for fun accessories ;)  Whenever I'm visiting California and we hit the pool and beach, I am ALWAYS in a big floppy hat and sunglasses. It protects the skin on my face and my eyes, plus it is a fabulous way to be sun safe!

3. Apply Mederma Advanced Scar Gel before bedtime

Sleep is such a wonderful thing. It re-energizes the body, and is a time for your body to repair itself. I apply Mederma Advanced Scar Gel to all the scars on my arms and back, so my body is relaxed and my skin can absorb the specifically formulated medicine it needs to improve the look of the scars. 

I picked up my Mederma gel and cream from my local Walmart for a killer price. For a limited time, when you purchase Mederma from your Walmart, you can take a picture of the receipt and send it in for a free $5 Walmart gift card! 

Stop by your Walmart and grab some Mederma to help reduce the appearance of those scars!

Melanoma

This is a hard post to write, but I want to share my life as of late with all of you. Also for myself, writing is therapeutic and this is a journal of sorts for me and my family.

Five years ago this month I was operated on for Melanoma Stage 1B. At the time I didn't realize the gravity of the situation, which in retrospect was a blessing because I would have been way more terrified going into surgery. (Read here for more information on the stages of Melanoma)

They excised a massive portion of my right forearm and 3 lymph nodes under my right arm. Luckily nothing had spread to my lymph nodes, which meant no chemotherapy. The excisions took months to fully heal, and even now from time to time I'll feel a little pull from the stitches underneath my skin. 

Every 6 months I have been visiting the oncologist for check-ups, as I'm now considered a high-risk patient. Mind you, I've never been in a tanning bed in my life. I've not purposely gone out in the sun with no protection to burn/tan. The doctors have come to the conclusion that my body is simply pre-dispositioned for this cancer. 

Each appointment during the past 5 years I've held my breath until I got that phone call. The doctors office letting me know the biopsy came back as negative. That was the case until March 14th. 

I was sick with a killer flu. Throwing up, body aches, sore throat, the works; couldn't be far away from my restroom for very long. I got a phone call from my dermatologist saying that 2 of the 5 spots came back as something. The spot on my back was Melanoma Stage 0 and the mole that grew on top of my Melanoma scar came back as "highly atypical" which is essentially the pathologist saying it was on its way to becoming cancer. 

I was home alone when I received the call, and held my composure with the doctor while I was speaking with her on the phone. As soon as it was over, I got weak in the knees and just cried and cried. I knew what was coming, and this time I knew how serious it was. 

I called my mom first because I knew Ryan was in class for another hour. I was crying so hard that my mom couldn't make out what I was saying at first. Once I calmed down, I was able to explain the situation and she made arrangements to be at my back surgery that week and the oncologist and mole mapping doctor appointments.

I had the mole on my back excised 2 weeks ago. It is still healing, and last week the oncologist took out stitches from underneath the wound because my body was rejecting it and not healing properly. I had the mole excised from my forearm this past Wednesday, it's still pretty ugly and painful.

Right after surgery I feel pretty ok because the local anesthetic is still in effect. I was under the impression that I would only have 1-2 stitches on my forearm because the mole was so small. My mom and I were in Target purchasing new bandages, when I decided to unwrap the bandage on my arm and noticed the 7-8 stitches, swollen skin, and spots of blood covering my old Melanoma scar. I was taken by surprise and felt the tears streaming down my face in the middle of the Orem Target. 

My mom was coming back to the cart from another aisle and saw the look of gut-wrenching sadness on my face and brought me in for a huge hug. Over the past few weeks I've felt emotionally raw, vulnerable, helpless, and despondent. I'm sure we've all felt that way in one fashion or another. When I first had the excision on my back, where no one could see, it opened my eyes to other people's pain and suffering that we can't see on the outside. I've been working on being kinder to others; since I never know what wounds, physical or emotional, they are nursing back to health. 

The past few days I've been at home recovering. I tire easily, as I'm still healing from 2 chunks of skin being taken from my body. I've been blessed and lucky to have an amazing support system. I wouldn't be recovering this well without all the help I've received from family, friends, and strangers. 

I've always told the doctors that I'd rather have scars than skin cancer. My thoughts occasionally make its way to my future family. This is a cancer I need to take care of to be there for my husband and future babies. Even though it is frustrating to be in pain and helpless, I'd rather take care of this now than let it grow and deal with it down the road. I can show my babies all my scars and be proud of them, as they are a symbol of strength and a reminder of how much I've overcome to be there for my family. 

Please get you and your families checked, it is only a quick trip to the dermatologist. Protect your skin, and your family! Thanks for letting me share :)

Protect Your Skin + Block Island

As many of my followers already know, I am a huge supporter of skincare and skin protection. I was recently sent this Block Island SPF 30 Sunscreen and love it! I wore it on my face while playing tennis last week and I was not burnt one bit. It is soft, has good coverage, and is natural. 

Block Island products are free of parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, gluten, phthalates, dyes and artificial fragrances. They are not animal-tested and they believe in educating their customers on the simplicity of safe skin care! Taking care of our skin starts NOW in order to avoid future scars, wrinkles, or skin cancer. Not only that, but we want to have pretty and clear skin in our old age :) 

Pick up this sunscreen for you and your family at a 15% discount by using my code: BRIR

This code works from Monday August 8th to Sunday August 16th! (Not combinable with other Block Island promo codes)

Block Island 30 SPF Sunscreen c/o Block Island Organics 

Shea Butter: Perfect for Skin + Hair Care

I'm super picky about my skin. While I like a bargain when it comes to beauty products, I feel like skincare is the best place to splurge. I have sensitive and dry skin, so I've found that natural products are the way to go! I was sent this massive 36oz Cold-Processed Ultra Refined Shea Butter from 24 Karite Gold to try out. 

I've learned that a small amount of this stuff goes a long way. I just scoop out a little bit with my finger, let it melt for a couple of minutes, then rub it into my hands and massage it on my melanoma scar. While I have used scar cream in the past, I've started to use this Shea Butter more often because I love the feeling of softness it gives my rigid scar. 

This Cold-Pressed Shea Butter helps with skin issues such as: eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, cuts, burns, stretch marks, razor bumps, sun damage, dry and cracked skin. It also contains antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamins; all good and healthy stuff for your skin! 

Natural Cold Pressed Shea Butter c/o 24 Karite Gold Shea Butter Skincare

What's nice is that this can also be used on your hair! Whether that be after washing and used as a conditioner, or as a deep conditioner before shampooing. You can mix this Shea Butter with your favorite scent and use on your hair or skin! This natural product is a one-stop shop for your beauty needs :)

Serendipity

Tomorrow I have an appointment to get all my angel kisses checked...and I mean ALL of them. My melanoma surgery was a little over 2 years ago, and since then I've visited the doctor every 6 months for her to look over my body for any other troubling spots. I jokinging-ly call it a "paid violation" because I'm willingly paying someone to check every dark and secret crevice on my body. SCARY. And it so does not even matter that I'm married, it's still dang weird. 

Since this doctors trip also means a harrowing trek up to Salt Lake, we're making an afternoon out of it by hitting up City Creek and our favorite Texas de Brazil for Ryan's early birthday dinner {heavens knows we need a break from school}. It was absolute serendipity because I've had this appointment planned for the past 6 months but we just found out that the classes Ryan & I have on tomorrow got cancelled and on top of it we got an awesome email coupon for Texas de Brazil. It was totally meant to be, and I love when that happens ;)

{Remixed: Dress // Boots}

Ring Switcheroo

 

{San Diego ring which I wear when I'm feeling blingy that day}

Thank you all so much for your support from yesterday's post!

I went to my dermatologist appointment with husband and brother in tow, got all my angel kisses checked out, and there is nothing alarming as of right now.

Phew!

I took the picture above a while ago, recently ran across it and loved how it photographed!

The pic is my wedding ring...ok, one of many.

I'll explain :)

I have a few different rings I go between.

The vintage aquamarine & diamond ring that my mom gave to me when I was young, the Wal-Mart ring Ryan proposed to me with, and a ring he got me in San Diego last Christmas.

 

{Ring Ryan proposed with, which I wear when I'm feeing gangsta}

Pretty much we are going to be poor college students/newlyweds for a while and I could not see any reason for going into $5,000 worth of debt over some sparkly thing on my finger.

I figure it'll be way fun on our 5th anniversary to be on vacation and be proposed to all over again with the ring of my choice!

In the meantime, I'll improvise :)

Maybe I'll have to pick up this ring next...

Would you rather have your dream ring right now and be in debt, or wait?

<3 Bri

a situation in which retail therapy is necessary

Tomorrow is my first dermatologist appointment in almost a year.

Truthfully, thinking about it scares me.

Granted, I'll have Ryan with me this time. 

The first time I made my way to the cancer specialist in Salt Lake was over a year ago, and I went all by myself.

The whole office kept on asking why I didn't have my boyfriend/fiance with me?

Well, cause hhhheeellllllooooo I'm a big college girl and can do this myself.

I got some moles scraped off for testing, got my WHOLE ENTIRE body checked out {yup, every embarrassing crevice}, then promptly took my little booty over to the mall for some retail therapy.

Even when I was diagnosed with Stage 1B Melanoma, I wasn't afraid.

Mostly because I was naive.

After 12 staples on my right forearm, 9 staples under my arm to stitch up where they took out 3 lymph nodes, not being able to take care of myself for a month or so, losing 10-15 pounds {I wasn't too sad about that part! haha}, and being constantly lethargic are all things I know will happen if I were to be diagnosed again. 

I have to constantly remind myself:

"If it happens again, you are suffering now for the sake of your future family. By getting that ugly cancer out of your body you are ensuring that you will be around for your husband and future kids for years and year to come. You are gonna be around for so long they are gonna get sick of you! ;)" 

Despite psyching myself out, I'm working on being optimistic here!
Good thing I'm gonna get myself some apple pie right now.
And, I have some money saved up specifically for my 'retail therapy' needs tomorrow :) 

<3 Bri

My Scars

Earlier this year I was diagnosed with Stage 1B Melanoma {skin cancer}.

The kind that usually happens to 80 year olds and the kind that if not taken care of, could be deadly. 

I don't want to sound all dramatic, and it's kind of funny to me now,
cause at the time of the news I didn't think it was that big of a deal.

That is...until the doctors started freaking out that I was 19, and at such a young age I had this growing cancer that could spread fast.

I was scheduled to have my surgery the week before finals of Winter semester 2011.

They took out a chunk out of my right arm, and lymph nodes.

After the surgery, I couldn't move, I couldn't really think straight. I felt helpless. 

It was especially hard for me because I'm self-sufficient and having to ask people for help was difficult. 

That's when I realized just how madly and deeply in love I was with my then fiance.

He would pick up food and make food for my mother and I.

He helped pack up my whole apartment and move it to a storage unit.

Would tuck me in at night, and make sure I was comfortable. 

Made sure I was taking my medicine on time.

Would hold me when I was crying out of frustration because I couldn't even put a t-shirt on without being in miserable pain. 

Writing this right now makes me tear up with joy, because I am so tremendously blessed and lucky to have him in my life. 

I'm proud of my scars because it represents the strength of my family, my parents and brothers for helping me and nurturing me back to health.

The love and care of my close friends.

The growth and strength of my relationship with my husband.

It represents all the prayers and talks I had with my Heavenly Father, asking for help, guidance, and comfort.

They prove to me how strong I really can be. 

I love my scars. They remind me daily of the many blessings that are in my life.
They constantly remind me to be grateful, caring, compassionate, and loving. They also remind me to thank my Heavenly Father for everyone, everything, and every day that I have.

{Stitches, 12 staples, and super glue, this is the day after the surgery}

{Right after the staples were taken out, still trying to get the super glue off}

{3 lymph nodes taken out, stitches, 9 staples, then super glue. The day after the surgery.}

Watch this.
It'll give you more information on melanoma, what to look for, and what to do next.

Please make an appointment with your doctor today and have a loved one check the angel kisses on your body to be safe :)

love, bri