Skin Cancer Awareness Month: How to Protect Your Skin All Summer Long
As the days get longer and the sunshine returns to Spokane, many of us are excited to spend more time outdoors enjoying hikes, lake weekends, golfing, patio dinners, and summer travel. But May is more than just the unofficial start of summer — it’s also Skin Cancer Awareness Month, an important reminder that protecting your skin should be part of your everyday routine.
At Crafted Beauty Med Spa, we believe skincare is about more than aesthetics. Beautiful skin starts with healthy skin, and one of the most powerful things you can do for your skin is prevent sun damage before it happens.
Why Skin Cancer Prevention Matters
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and excessive UV exposure remains one of the leading causes. Many people associate sun damage with vacations or hot beach days, but the reality is that UV rays affect your skin year-round — even during cloudy days in Spokane.
Over time, repeated sun exposure can lead to:
Fine lines and wrinkles
Hyperpigmentation and sun spots
Loss of collagen and elasticity
Uneven texture
Premature aging
Increased risk of skin cancer
The good news is that small daily habits can dramatically reduce both cosmetic skin damage and long-term health risks.
The Best Ways to Protect Your Skin This Summer
Wear SPF Every Single Day
Daily sunscreen is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your skin from premature aging and skin damage. Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher and apply it every morning — not just on beach days. Some of our go-to sunscreens are:
Non-tinted: EltaMD UV Daily
Tinted: Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral, Colorescience Face Shield Flex, Skinbetter Science Tone Smart Lotion
Acne-safe: EltaMD UV Clear, EltaMD UV Clear Tinted
Post-procedure: Epicutis Lipid Shield
Makeup: Colorescience Color Balm, Colorescience Peptide Lip Shine
Re-apply: Skinbetter Science Tone Smart Compact
Body: EltaMD UV Lotion
Don’t forget commonly missed areas like:
Ears, neck, chest, hands, and lips
If you’re spending extended time outdoors, reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating.
Add a Hat to Your Routine
Wide-brim hats provide extra protection for your face, scalp, and neck — areas that often receive the most sun exposure. Pairing sunscreen with protective clothing is one of the best ways to reduce cumulative UV damage throughout the summer.
Schedule Regular Skin Checks
Preventative care goes beyond skincare products. Annual skin exams with your dermatologist are an important part of maintaining your health. A dermatologist can identify suspicious spots early and monitor any changes in your skin over time.
If you notice:
A mole changing shape or color
New growths
Spots that itch, bleed, or don’t heal
…it’s important to schedule a professional evaluation promptly.
Healthy Skin Starts With Prevention
At Crafted Beauty, we love helping our patients feel confident in their skin — but protecting your skin is the foundation of every great skincare routine. Small habits today can help preserve your skin’s health and appearance for years to come.
May Specials That Give Back
This May, you can help support the Skin Cancer Foundation while sharing your favorite treatments with friends.
When you refer a friend:
You get $50
They get $50
And Allergan Aesthetics’s Allē program will donate $10 to the Skin Cancer Foundation
It’s a meaningful way to care for yourself, support a friend, and contribute to an important cause during Skin Cancer Awareness Month.
