If you could have a do-over with regard to skin care, what would you do?
In golf, we call it a mulligan. We get the chance to hit another ball when the first one goes afoul of our intended aim. What about you? What would you do differently?
Everything. Now that I have some education, I see that I was doing it all wrong. I also see that it is no accident I have had ongoing skin issues. But this is not golf, and now I have to walk through the consequences. Difficult to accept but true. 
In retrospect, I truly wish my parents had been more proactive with my sun protection. Being raised in So Cali, I was in the sun all day everyday. No sunscreen, rarely a hat or long sleeves. Suffered some horrific sunburns. Even had a summer of "sun allergy" that found me with hives every time I was out in the sun. Hmmm, we probably should have gotten a clue. . . I'm not bitter about it but I'm soooo grateful that my own kiddos were raised differently and are REALLY sun protective. Good for them!
we have much the same history and well-learned lessons! Yes, we do. I have lived in the northeast since the 90’s and while there are still dangers there is not a tanning culture and that has helped me. Scott skincancer.net moderator
My actinic keratosis on my face is also due to ignorance of sun care from a very young age, no sun creams were used in the 50/60/70s whilst playing out all day in the summer sun. Then ‘Sun beds’ became a favourite tanning aid from the 1980s - it gave me a year round tan whilst it was cold dark and gloomy, they even had just a ‘face’ tan machine!! Only one holiday abroad a year, but I made sure I wore protection factor 15!! No where near adequate!! I’ve never had sun burn or blisters, but being fair with blue eyes my ‘sun worship’ has damaged my skin!! my own fault!! So I suffer my own fate, aged 70 & 30 days in, after 28 applying Efudix to my whole face, then Clobavate for 7 days, now Aquaphor and Fucibet, my deep pink healing skin is getting better. I didn’t use anything other than Efudix, only warm water to wash, I didn’t need any pain relief, although the last week was tough and yes painful, especially at night, my dermatologist said no pain - no gain!! So I hope when I am completely healed the Aks have gone!! Can’t wait to wear my factor 50 moisturiser and a little make up and have good skin that I’ve promised myself I will look after!! I feel so sad for the youngsters I see still going into sun bed shops and also on holiday wearing no sunglasses/hat or sun protection, just oil!!! Children should be taught at school to be sun aware as not all parents are. Sun Cream should be applied every day after their Morning Bath or shower, 365 days of the year - well before they go outside!! Definitely not at the park/poolside/beach as it takes 30 mins to then protect skin!!
well said! I agree with you completely. Sun-safe practices should begin early. I know that if I had been taught to use sunscreen, my battle now would be much less frustrating. It sounds like we have a similar situation with AKs--it's neverending.
Hang in there! You are doing a great job of staying proactive now, and that's what matters most.
Sending you hugs!
April, SkinCancer.net, Moderator
