When Sun, Skin, and Hormones Catch Up

by Michelle D'Ambra

I want to share something personal—not to alarm anyone, but to normalize it.

Earlier this year, I had a basal cell carcinoma (BCC) removed from my back. If you spend any time online, you’ll see videos that make one BCC sound terrifying. That wasn’t my experience. I took it seriously, addressed it, and moved forward feeling informed rather than afraid.

For me, it felt less like a shock and more like information.

The “perfect storm” of sun exposure and skin changes

I have very fair skin. I also spent a lot of time at the beach and on boats when I was younger—sun exposure that adds up over time, especially with reflection from water.

In my teens and early twenties, I experienced several severe sunburns, including blistering burns. Later on, I used tanning beds—not for vanity, but because they were commonly recommended as a way to build a “base tan” and avoid burning during the summer. And honestly, it did help prevent sunburns at the time.

What we understand now is that not burning doesn’t mean no skin damage. A tan is still a skin response to UV exposure—just without the immediate alarm of a burn. Those early blistering sunburns, combined with cumulative sun exposure, matter more than we once realized.

Add in hormonal shifts later in life, particularly around menopause—when skin, immune response, and healing can change—and it becomes easier to see how something like basal cell carcinoma can surface years later.

None of this feels mysterious to me.

It feels explainable.

Why I didn’t panic about basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. It’s also highly treatable when caught early. That matters.

I didn’t ignore it, but I didn’t spiral either. I handled it, followed through with care, and adjusted how I approach my skin going forward. Fear doesn’t improve outcomes—consistency does.

Awareness is important.

Panic is not.

What being proactive looks like now

Being proactive doesn’t mean obsessing over every freckle or avoiding the sun entirely.

For me, it looks like:

• Regular skin checks

• Paying attention to changes without hyper-fixating

• Respecting how hormonal changes affect the body

• Supporting overall resilience rather than chasing perfection

• Letting go of guilt about past choices made with the information I had at the time

  
  

Health isn’t about rewriting the past.

It’s about responding wisely when new information shows up.

A calmer message I hope helps

If you’ve had a lot of sun exposure, used tanning beds years ago, or are noticing skin changes as your hormones shift, you’re not alone—and you’re not doomed.

This isn’t a reason to panic.

It’s a reason to be aware.

Our bodies tell stories over time. Listening to them calmly and responding appropriately is part of self-care—not something to fear.

A gentle next step

As we move through different seasons of life—especially during times of hormonal change—it can be helpful to understand what the body is working with beneath the surface.

A hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) offers a non-invasive look at mineral patterns and stress indicators that can shift over time. While it isn’t a diagnostic tool, it can provide valuable insight into how the body is adapting and where extra support may be helpful.

If you’ve been curious about mineral balance, stress patterns, or how your body is responding during midlife changes, this can be a calm and informative place to start.

You can learn more about HTMA testing and working with me [here], or reach out if you have questions and want to explore whether it’s a good fit for you.

Sometimes awareness—not urgency—is the most supportive first step.