How melanoma led me to reinvent sun protection
Jess Dunn is a melanoma survivor. She recently launched a sun protective UPF clothing line called Shade.
What is your melanoma story?
I grew up with an awareness to take care of my 皮肤. My mom worked at a dermatologist’s office and always encouraged me to wear sunscreen.
In November 2022, while applying lotion, I noticed a darker spot on my back. It seemed new. I made a mental note to get it checked out at my next dermatology appointment.
At my next appointment, I forgot.
Finally in March 2023, while I was seeing a physician assistant (PA) for a chemical peel, I asked her to take a look at the spot on my back.
“We need to biopsy this, immediately,” she said.
The next day, while at my cousin’s lacrosse game, I received a call. It was my PA, who was heading out on vacation, but said she could not enjoy herself without making sure I took the next steps. She told me I had melanoma, which is the most aggressive form of skin cancer. I felt dizzy. At 33, it felt too young to be happening to me.
We made a plan. My PA sent me a list of specialists, both Mohs dermatologists and oncologists who could surgically remove the cancer (Mohs is a surgical procedure during which a doctor removes one layer of skin at a time and examines each layer under a microscope to see if any cancerous cells remain). I looked for a doctor who made me feel human, comfortable and cared for—it was a bonus that the doctor I chose also made me laugh.
During surgery, my doctor discovered that the cancer was deeper below the surface of the skin than expected. All of the cancer was removed during surgery, and I was considered cancer-free. Now I see her every six months to check the scar on my back to make sure it is healing well and that the cancer hasn’t returned.
I also get my skin checked every three months, since the first two years after having melanoma are when you’re most susceptible to developing skin cancer again. I’ll be able to have less frequent skin checks once I’m past the two-year mark.
Why did you start Shade?
On my journey to staying healthy, I searched for sun protective clothing that I could wear daily, but I couldn’t find anything that fit into my lifestyle. (The sun protective clothing I found was limited to athletic wear, beachwear, and synthetic materials.) I felt unrepresented in this space, and knew I wasn’t alone.
I believe everyone should have access to sun-smart basics that elevate your wardrobe while protecting your skin. Shade was founded on the principle that we should not have to change our lifestyle to be healthy — we should be able to seamlessly incorporate healthy habits, like sun-protection, into our daily routines.
Shade is developing the first clothing line of everyday classics that are 100% cotton and UPF 40+. We launched this March with our Origin Tee—our take on the classic white tee. It’s a warm white, made from 50% recycled cotton, with a relaxed yet structured fit. It’s truly my favorite t-shirt.
What is UPF clothing and how can it reduce your skin cancer risk?
UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It measures how much ultraviolet (UV) radiation fabric blocks before it reaches your skin, just like the way SPF measures the amount of sun protection of sunscreens. Dermatologists recommend at least SPF 30 or UPF 30 to reduce your risk of skin cancer.
Standard clothing offers little protection. An average cotton t-shirt has a UPF rating of just 3, while Shade’s cotton t-shirt is rated UPF 40+.
Several factors influence a fabric’s level of sun protection, including:
- The tightness of the weave
- The type of material
- Whether the fabric has been treated for UV protection
A good at-home test is to hold your clothing up to the light. If you can see light passing through, UV rays are getting through as well.
A helpful component of UPF clothing is that it’s designed to block broad-spectrum UV rays which means protection from both UVA rays (aging) and UVB rays (burning). Just like with sunscreen, it’s important to look for broad-spectrum protection when selecting your UPF clothing.
Overall, UPF clothing reduces your risk of skin cancer in the same way SPF does. Protective clothing helps provide coverage for the areas of the skin where you’re less likely to apply sunscreen on a daily basis, keeping your skin safe from the sun.
Other than wearing protective clothing, how else do you protect your skin?
I stay mindful of my relationship with the sun. To protect my skin I wear sunscreen daily, especially on my face, lips, chest and any body part exposed to the sun.
Currently, I am exploring lip moisturizers or lip balm with SPF. I have yet to discover the ideal option that both moisturizes and protects, so maybe that’s next for Shade.
另请阅读 | 夏季美容秘诀，保持皮肤健康