The month of May marks Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and it can often feel like there’s a lot of information on how to be sun safe aware for you and your clients. Here at tint. we’ve partnered with Melanoma UK to provide you with tangible, practical tools to carry forward in your treatments - not just for May, but every day.
Melanoma UK exists because melanoma is one of the fastest-rising cancers and the 5th most common cancer in the UK, yet it is largely preventable and highly treatable if caught early. The charity wants to help to reduce avoidable deaths and ultimately create a future where fewer people experience melanoma.
HOW MELANOMA DEVELOPS
When our skin is exposed to sunlight, our melanocytes (a type of skin cell) increase the amount of melanin. This makes the skin darker, giving it a suntanned appearance. A suntan is a sign that the skin is trying to protect itself.
Normal, healthy skin cells continually grow, divide and mature, before eventually dying and shedding from the skin. However, with increased sunlight exposure, sometimes the cells develop damage to their DNA. This damage is called a mutation and can lead to inappropriate growth (dividing more quickly than usual) or survival of the cells which cause skin cancers.
TYPES
There are three main types of skin cancer. Here are the signs to look for during your tint. appointments:
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCCs) - usually appears as a small, shiny bump or a sore that doesn't heal
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCCs) - Often looks like a firm, red nodule or a flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface.
Melanoma - Can develop from an existing mole or appear suddenly as a new dark spot (please find a complimentary ABCDE Checklist below from Melanoma UK)
WHY YOUR ROLE AS A TINT. TECHNICIAN IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
The earlier melanoma is found, the easier it is to treat, and the higher the chance of curing it, avoiding extensive treatments. Early-stage melanoma has an over 99% survival rate, whereas later-stage melanoma is much lower.
At tint. we love to give people a natural, sun-kissed glow without the need for harmful sun exposure. As a tint. technician, you are a powerful advocate for skin health—championing our sun safety messaging and making a real impact through every treatment and conversation.
In line with Melanoma UK’s recommendation, people should be checking their skin at least once a month, looking for any new growths, changes to existing moles or any stubborn sores.
As a tint. spray tan artist, you will be looking at areas on your clients skin which are often harder to see, e.g. the back, the backs of arms, the backs of the legs etc. and so you can be another important source of observation for clients, and early detection.
Encourage your clients to think of their spray tanning sessions as a regular opportunity for skin monitoring, alongside getting their tint. tan fix.
MELANOMA UK'S ABCDE CHECKLIST
Here you can find complimentary access to Melanoma UK’s ABCDE Checklist, which provides you with a guide for early melanoma detection during your tint. tan appointments.
HELPFUL FACTS FOR YOUR APPOINTMENTS
- Melanoma is not just a skin cancer. It can develop anywhere on the body – eyes, scalp, nails, feet, mouth, etc.
- In women, the most common place for melanoma to develop is on the legs
- In men, melanoma is most commonly found on the chest and back
- People with darker skin tones are generally less likely to get melanoma than people with fairer skin. This is because their skin produces more melanin, which protects against the harmful effects of UV radiation
- Exposure to tanning beds before age 30 increases a person’s risk of developing melanoma by 75%. Understand more common myths of sun beds and how to educate your clients here.
- Young people who regularly use tanning beds are 8 times more likely to develop melanoma than people who have never used them.
If you have any concerns for your clients please call 03333 111 555, we are always here to help or advise. More information and helpful resources can also be found at www.melanomauk.org.uk
