Shining a Light on Skin Health: Melanoma Awareness for Estheticians

May is Melanoma Awareness Month—a vital time for skincare professionals to spotlight one of the most serious types of skin cancer and reinforce the importance of sun safety and skin surveillance.

As licensed estheticians, you’re uniquely positioned to notice changes in your clients’ skin. While diagnosing skin cancer is far beyond the scope of practice for licensed estheticians, you can play a crucial role in prevention, education, and referral.

Let’s take a closer look at melanoma, how it develops, ways to help prevent it, and how MedSpa Distributors supports you with sun-smart, professional-grade products.

Understanding Melanoma

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that begins in the melanocytes—the skin cells that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. While less common than basal or squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma is far more aggressive and can spread rapidly if not caught early.

Common Types of Melanoma

• Superficial spreading melanoma: This is the most common form. It often appears as irregular moles that grow outward before penetrating deeper.

• Nodular melanoma: This type is more aggressive. It appears as a firm, dome-shaped bump that may be black, blue, or skin-toned.

• Lentigo maligna melanoma: Usually found in older adults, this type appears on sun-exposed areas like the face.

• Acral lentiginous melanoma: This rare type affects the palms, soles, or under nails and is more common in people with darker skin tones.

  
  

Melanoma can be deadly, especially if it's not caught and treated early.

Why Melanoma is Dangerous

Aggressive Spread

Melanoma begins in melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in your skin. Unlike other skin cancers that tend to grow more slowly, melanoma can invade deeper layers of skin quickly and then spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body—including the lymph nodes, liver, lungs, brain, and bones.

Life-Threatening Potential

Once melanoma enters the bloodstream or lymphatic system, it can seed tumors in critical organs. These metastatic tumors can disrupt the normal function of vital organs—leading to life-threatening complications.

Importance of Early Detection

The 5-year survival rate for early-stage melanoma is over 99%, but it drops significantly if it spreads:

• Regional (nearby lymph nodes): ~71%

• Distant metastasis (organs): ~32%

  
  

Melanoma is primarily caused by UV radiation—both from the sun and tanning beds. Even intermittent sunburns in childhood can increase the risk later in life.

Prevention Starts in the Treatment Room

As a skin care professional, your words carry weight. Here’s how you can make a difference:

• Educate clients on the importance of daily SPF—even on cloudy days or during winter months.

• Perform thorough skin analyses and encourage clients to monitor moles and lesions using the ABCDE method (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolving). Click here for a reference guide on this from ScreenCancer.com.

• Refer out when you see something suspicious. A gentle, professional suggestion to see a dermatologist can make all the difference.

  
  

Sun-Safe Products from MedSpa Distributors

Prevention is key, and we’ve curated a range of sun protection products ideal for the professional and retail space.

TIZO® Mineral Sunscreens Elegant, non-comedogenic mineral-based sunscreens with broad-spectrum protection. Perfect for nearly all skin types.

Hale & Hush Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Formulated for sensitive skin types, this lightweight dual shield and hydration sunscreen calms while protecting, thanks to skin beneficial extracts and zinc oxide.

Photozyme DNA Repair Products These advanced serums support cellular repair and may help combat previous UV damage through patented DNA repair enzymes.

Rejuvenator While not sunblocks, these peptides help support skin resilience and repair—an essential part of post-sun skin care.

ClearChoice SportShield Extreme SPF 55 Zinc Oxide, Octyl Methoxycinnamate, Benzophenone-3 formulated for daily use on all skin types.

Types of Sunscreens

Chemical Sunscreens

How they work: Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays and convert them into heat, which is then released from the skin.

Key ingredients: Avobenzone, Octinoxate, Oxybenzone, Octocrylene, Homosalate, etc.

Pros:

• Lightweight, often invisible on the skin

• Easier to formulate with additional skin benefits (hydrating, mattifying, etc.)

• Less likely to leave a white cast

Cons:

• Can be irritating to sensitive or compromised skin

• Some ingredients have raised environmental and hormonal concerns

• Need to be applied 15–30 minutes before sun exposure

Best for: Clients seeking an invisible finish or needing makeup layering compatibility—ideal for oily, acne-prone, or medium to deep skin tones.

Physical (Mineral) Sunscreens

How they work: Create a physical barrier that sits on top of the skin and reflects UV rays.

Key ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide

Pros:

• Immediate protection after application

• Gentle and calming—ideal for sensitive, post-procedure, or rosacea-prone skin

• Often considered “reef-safe”

Cons:

• May leave a white or tinted cast, especially on darker skin tones

• Can feel heavier or more matte depending on formulation

Best for: Clients with sensitive or reactive skin, post-treatment protocols, or those seeking a “clean beauty” approach.

Understanding Broad-Spectrum Protection

What it means: “Broad spectrum” refers to protection against both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays.

• UVA rays penetrate deep into the dermis and are responsible for wrinkles and photoaging.

• UVB rays affect the epidermis and cause sunburn.

Why it matters: Some sunscreens only block UVB rays, offering a false sense of protection. Broad-spectrum protection ensures full defense against the sun’s damaging effects. Many professional sunscreens will be broad-spectrum.

SPF Rating – What It Really Means

• SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays

• SPF 50 blocks about 98%

• No sunscreen blocks 100%

  
  

Pro tip: More important than the number is how often your client reapplies (every 2 hours when exposed). Remind clients to use sun protection daily, not just for the beach. Combine sunscreen use with other sun-protective behaviors: like wearing hats, wearing sunglasses, and seeking shade.

Stay in Your Scope—Refer When in Doubt

Remember: estheticians don’t diagnose. Your role is to care for the skin, not to evaluate medical conditions. However, if something stands out—a mole that’s changed, a lesion that won’t heal, or a growth that looks unusual—gently encourage your client to see a board-certified dermatologist.

Your attentiveness could help save a life.

You Are a Vital Part of the Skin Health Team

Use your knowledge as an esthetician to promote proactive, preventative skin care. Educate, protect, and when needed, refer. Let’s continue to be mindful stewards of skin health, one client at a time.

MedSpaDistributors.biz and let’s make every month a melanoma awareness month.

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Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational and educational purposes only and is intended for licensed estheticians. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always refer clients with suspicious lesions, moles, or skin concerns to a qualified medical professional or board-certified dermatologist. Estheticians must operate within their licensed scope of practice and are not permitted to diagnose or treat medical conditions.