Getting My Skin Checked + La Roche-Posay’s New Superstar SPF
27.11.20
In proud partnership with La Roche-Posay and L’Oréal New Zealand
When I went to Mole Map last week, I was reticent to tell the receptionist how many skin-checks I’d actually had – because I knew I probably hadn’t had enough. At 27 year’s old, I should have had a fair few by now, with guidelines from New Zealand’s Cancer Society recommending that all Kiwi’s get in the habit of checking their skin themselves once every three months, and then by an expert once a year.
The rationale behind maintaining this kind of vigilance isn’t hard to figure out: Melanoma (a type of skin cancer most commonly caused by UV exposure) remains one of the most common types of cancer in New Zealand and, alongside Australia, we have the highest rates of melanoma incidence and mortality in the world. And with 363 Kiwis dying from melanoma in 2016 (EHINZ), the statistics are sobering.
My melanographer, Elisha, reinforced our country’s susceptibility to melanoma when she pointed out that New Zealand and Australia are exposed to roughly 30% more UVA and UVB rays than other countries, stressing the importance of wearing a high quality SPF sunscreen every single day (more on that later). If you’ve never had your skin checked, here’s what to expect: Your dermatologist or specialist will ask you to strip down to your underwear, change into a gown and then meticulously scan your skin – looking for any noticeable areas of damage, suspicious moles or concerning spots. It’s important to arrive at your appointment without any makeup or nail polish, so that no stone is left unturned. There was a mole between my breasts that I wanted Elisha to check, as I was convinced it had become more “raised” in recent months and wasn’t sure if I’d just caught it on my bra or if it had changed shape on it’s own accord. Elisha said that she often has patients come in who have had moles pointed out to them by their hairdressers, massage therapists or physios, and she said this kind of support is great, because catching any changes early is key. Elisha used a dermatascope to assess my skin (similar to a magnifying glass with a torch attached), so that she could thoroughly investigate the shape, colour, size and texture of various moles on my body.
Thankfully, Elisha didn’t discover anything of concern or requiring further assessment, but she stressed the importance of not becoming complacent. What she meant was: Wear ya damn sunscreen, people. La Roche-Posay, the French-born label known and loved for providing top UVA and UVB protection, has been my summer skinsurance policy for years, and their latest offering, the Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF 50+, is arguably their most impressive to-date.
Designed to replace the iconic Anthelios XL Ultra-Light Fluid SPF50+, the Invisible Fluid SPF 50+ (which retails for $29.95) is La Roche Posay’s lightest sunscreen ever, thanks to a powerful new polymer ingredient that tightly meshes the formula, making it lightweight, fast-absorbing and non-greasy. Just like the original, the Invisible Fluid was formulated by dermatologists to be perfect for those with sensitive skin, is non-comedogenic and fragrance-free. From a vanity perspective, I also love that it’s never sticky and sits invisibly on the skin – both on its own or underneath makeup.
So, in other words, I’ve officially run out of excuses to not wear it every single day. Because, ironically, you can use all the best serums in the world, but one of the most effective – and cheapest – ways to keep your skin looking youthful is by wearing good old-fashioned (or in this case, brand new, state of the art) sunscreen. Go figure.