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It may be the second half of the month, and the seasonal start of summer once the weekend hits, but it is still May—a calendar moment that officially considers itself National Skin Cancer and Melanoma Awareness Month.
While the sunny days filled with flowers sure are better than the gloomy ones (minus the amount of pollen next year, Mother Nature), the month serves as a solid reminder of just how important sun-safety is to our overall health.
According to the Melanoma Research Alliance, melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and the diagnosis of the disease has increased dramatically over the past three decades—with the number of invasive cases diagnosed annually having increased by 27 percent, outpacing all other cancers.
Another scary stat: Of age-related cancers, melanoma is the third most diagnosed cancer among individuals aged 25-39 in the United States, in most cases related to UV-induced damage from tanning beds and the sun. Plus, it’s the most common cancer in young adults, especially young women.
The numbers are ones actress Lois Robbins knows all too well. After being diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in 2018 and being told by her dermatologist to stay out of the sun, Robbins was inspired to create WATSKIN, an “elevated” UPF sunwear brand. (UPF stands for ultraviolet protection factor and is basically SPF for clothing. It is also something the Academy of Dermatology recommends for more effective sun protection.)
The line is undeniably chic and high-quality, and all the pieces are made with UPF 50+ fabrics that block more than 98 percent of UV rays. The fabric also has a four-way stretch for shape retention, moisture-wicking, quick dry—so you can easily go from the pool to having lunch by the pool.
Since it launched in August 2022, the brand has not only gotten a thumb’s up from the Melanoma Research Alliance, but it has also been seen on Melissa Wood Tepperberg, Lauryn Bosstick, Carolina Kurkova and Brooke Burke, to name a few.
For the month of May, the brand will also be donating 5 percent of all proceeds and they are offering a site-wide 15-percent off to encourage people to invest in skin safety.