L0VE_2_TAN
Bronze
Lauren
LiVE L0VE TAN <3
Posts: 210
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Post by L0VE_2_TAN on Jan 3, 2013 23:28:12 GMT -5
So as some of you may remember, I posted on iamTAN 2 about making a Dermatologist appointment about getting my skin and moles checked out, etc because I'm a frequent tanner. I made the appointment back in July or August and the earliest one available was January 9th so I'll be going next week. Here's my question though. For those who've been to the Dermatologist, what exactly do they do? And this may be a silly question but do you have to take any clothes off?
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Post by pinkglitz on Jan 4, 2013 1:08:53 GMT -5
I'm interested to hear how your visit goes. I wanted to do this but I haven't gotten around to it, and I have horrible health ins that doesn't cover a derm. So I haven't gone, but I would assume you have to take your clothes off so they can check you;)
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Post by aeroguy39 on Jan 4, 2013 10:17:42 GMT -5
It's been about 4 years since I have gone.... But I have gone to Derm for skin check a few times in the past. I did not get totally naked, but yes, most of my clothes were off. I believe I left my underwear on (maybe also a bra if you are female?) I think they gave me a light "gown" like a hospital gown if you are familiar with that..... Then IF they suspect anything looks questionable... like a mole.. they will take a very small layer of skin/mole off with a sharp scapel and send it to be biopsied.... IF they do that it is like a scrape from falling on the cement and they put a band aid on it and it heals up in a couple of days. Good luck with your appointment - hopefully NOTHING to worry about....
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Post by Bronze Heels on Jan 4, 2013 22:10:37 GMT -5
Let us know how it goes! <3
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L0VE_2_TAN
Bronze
Lauren
LiVE L0VE TAN <3
Posts: 210
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Post by L0VE_2_TAN on Jan 6, 2013 14:22:37 GMT -5
Well at least I kinda know what to expect now and I'm glad I'm seeing a lady lol. I'll definitely update to let you all know how things go. I'm only 21, 22 next month. If I had any signs of skin cancer or anything would she be able to tell now or am I too young still? Just wanna be safe and cautious!
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Post by pinkglitz on Jan 6, 2013 21:49:21 GMT -5
You can develop skin cancer at any age, so your age won't have anything to do with it really.
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L0VE_2_TAN
Bronze
Lauren
LiVE L0VE TAN <3
Posts: 210
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Post by L0VE_2_TAN on Jan 6, 2013 22:42:19 GMT -5
Well fingers crossed that it goes well on Wednesday!
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Post by pinkglitz on Jan 12, 2013 11:55:08 GMT -5
so how did it go?
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L0VE_2_TAN
Bronze
Lauren
LiVE L0VE TAN <3
Posts: 210
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Post by L0VE_2_TAN on Jan 12, 2013 14:32:55 GMT -5
Everything went fine! I had never met her before and the first thing she said to me when she walked in was "Oh my gosh, do you have a tan?". Lol it was kinda funny. She wasn't pleased of course with the fact that I tan but she was nice and joked with me. I did have to take everything off exceot my underwear and bra. She checked me out and everything looks good. I'll be going back again next January. She gave me a brochure on skin cancer and what to watch for. She did say I'm practically asking to have skin cancer though because my grandpa and his brother both had Melanoma... I usually only tan now 2-3 times a week because I'm always so busy. I'm also not tanning my face anymore because I have such bad breakouts and have acne scars and cystic acne (I know, gross right?). She wrote me a prescription for something I can take orally that will help with the acne/breakout problems. Hopefully everything will continue to be fine.
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Post by Princesa on Jan 12, 2013 21:16:39 GMT -5
Glad to hear everything went good!!
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Post by pinkglitz on Jan 13, 2013 13:51:02 GMT -5
my mom has skin cancer spots burned off all the time now, so Im probably "asking for it" too.. but I feel like everything is bad for you so hey I'm going to do what makes me happy! i'm not tanning near as much as before because of money/time, too.. i'm glad it went well! i've been thinking forever that i wanted to get checked but i just do NOT want a lecture. i'm glad the lady was nice about it!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2013 19:43:42 GMT -5
I have been tanning since I was 16 years old and I wont say how old I am now but let say I could be almost the mom of most members here I have just decided to stop tanning inside because I am getting a non chirurgical face lift and its better for my skin. Never had any melanoma or anything wrong with my skin. My husband however who is afraid of the sun like a vampire and always had the highest spf sun lotion ended up with skin cancer on his back a few years ago. My mom always had the darkest tan and never had a spot on her skin and she is now 94. So it doest mean that you will get skin cancer because you tan. Some people die from lung cancer and they never smoke a day in their life.
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Post by pinkglitz on Jan 13, 2013 22:14:16 GMT -5
marie, that is SO TRUE. my dad died from cancer and he didn't do any of the things that are"bad" for you and he's still dead. That's really shaped my opinions on how to live my life from this point on. I wish other people could understand what you just posted!
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Post by paul1961 on Jul 22, 2013 12:58:07 GMT -5
It's been a while since I checked in over here.
I had my screening last week. To be thorough, the doctor should really look at every bit of skin. Being too shy to show your body or ask an important question is silly(and stupid). It can also kill you. Don't be embarrassed. Doctors have heard and seen it all.
My first skin cancer screening exam was about 6 or 7 years ago. The woman doctor looked me over for all of 60 second from a distance of 3 feet or so. That kind of skin check is almost worthless.
The woman doctor that I go to now takes about two minutes just going through the hair on my head. While cancers are most likely to develop on our face and arms, the fact is the can occur anywhere. Don't limit the doctor. It is part of your responsibility as a consumer. I'm a 51 year old married guy. I have absolutely no problem standing butt naked in front of the woman doc and her female assistant. As tanners, we have to be extra vigilant to catch problems early.
I pointed out to her a 3/4 inch long patch along my nose. Just slightly off color, but also a texture difference. She said it was actinic keratosis. It is from sun damage and does stand a 1 in 100 chance of becoming cancerous. She lightly froze the area. I have a follow up next week.
Most of you have never known a time without sunblocks. Being born in 1961, I was burned many times. Until the mid-70s, I remember that we just used Sea & Ski 4. It washed off easily, leaving you to burn to a crisp. The only was to really protect a nose was a heavy layer of zinc oxide. When in a tanning bed, I always use a face towel until the last two minutes.
I forgot to ask her for a recommendation for a daily lotion to apply to that area to help prevent a re-occurrence. Does anyone have any recommendations for an OTC lightweight cream/lotion of some kind?
Thanks.
Paul
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2014 17:32:53 GMT -5
I have been tanning since I was 16 years old and I wont say how old I am now but let say I could be almost the mom of most members here I have just decided to stop tanning inside because I am getting a non chirurgical face lift and its better for my skin. Never had any melanoma or anything wrong with my skin. My husband however who is afraid of the sun like a vampire and always had the highest spf sun lotion ended up with skin cancer on his back a few years ago. My mom always had the darkest tan and never had a spot on her skin and she is now 94. So it doest mean that you will get skin cancer because you tan. Some people die from lung cancer and they never smoke a day in their life. No, but the vast majority of lung cancer sufferers are or were smokers. Yes you can get skin cancer even if you're not a tanner but tanning/intense UV exposure greatly increases your chances. You're playing Russian Roulette. Life is already risky enough, why make it more risky? Your husband probably suffered a few sunburns when he was young and for some people that's all it takes. Your mother is 94, tanned and doesn't even have an age spot? Hmm... How is your skin now? I'm guessing by the facelift that the years of tanning wasn't kind to it.
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