15 Comments
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Tori Simokov's avatar

Love this collab!

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Ashley Veurink's avatar

ily 🥹

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Brittney Martin's avatar

Two of my favorites!! Amazing read and eye opening for so many— I feel that sometimes we think being young that we can’t get a diagnosis like the one you shared. This made it sooooo much more real for me. I was born and raised in Arizona and it felt like “wearing sunscreen” was never a discussion. It was more about getting outside and enjoying time by the pool because of the heat. Now that I’m hitting 30, it’s top of mind for me. Thank you for the reminder and for sharing your story. Love the advice from Ashley too, wonderful wonderful!!

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Ashley Veurink's avatar

my girl, my girl, MY GIRL -- thanks so much for reading, Brittney! 💛

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Brittney Martin's avatar

ALWAYS!! 🔆🫶🏻🫶🏻 women supporting womennnnnn. Keep rockin’

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Bella Darden's avatar

💛💛💛

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Lauren Jankulovski's avatar

Skin safety is so important! Especially as you travel and go to different climates. Being from Australia, sun safety is crucial for us but still ignored unfortunately

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Bella Darden's avatar

Yes yes yes! Aussies have the highest rate of skin cancers worldwide I believe

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Ashley Veurink's avatar

So true, Lauren! And I know there are some wonderful Australian sunscreens out there, too -- Ultra Violette finally made its way to the U.S. this year and I've been wanting to try!

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Bella Darden's avatar

Wait I’m obsessed with the ultra violette spf lip gloss, you must try it

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Alexandra Espinal's avatar

Thank you for sharing! I live and grew up in the Caribbean and as the years have gone by I've gotten way more militant with regards to sun exposure and SPF. I love a good beach day but the sun burning me is always in the back of my mind! It's helped to make SPF 'fun' and treat it more like skincare - there's so many different kinds out there today, it's no longer a chore to put it on, and it's actually nice to discover a new product that works for me.

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Bella Darden's avatar

Yes! There are so many fun sunscreens right now. I dare you to buy the Vacation Whipped sunscreen—comes out like whipped cream, and rubs in so so nicely!

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Brooke's avatar

Thank you for sharing—I really relate. I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my chest in January 2024, and the experience was both physically and emotionally scarring. Some friends tried to downplay it—“At least it’s not deadly”.

I regret every tanning bed session in my teens and all the times I ignored my grandma’s constant reminders to wear sunscreen. Now, I don’t leave the house without it.

I’ve done laser treatments on my face and loved the results—of course, I’m religious about sunscreen now to protect my skin and preserve the effects. I’m looking into doing a laser treatment on my chest next, both to help with sun damage and hopefully minimize the scar.

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Bella Darden's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing your story—I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I’m thinking of doing laser too, so this is encouraging to hear. 💛

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Ashley Veurink's avatar

So sorry to hear about your experience! The generations behind us are so lucky that wearing SPF is cool -- if only that had been the case for the rest of us. I'm glad you've had good results with lasers, though! A lot of my clients do treatments on their neck and chest (and even hands), and love the results it gives for clearing pigmentation.

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