Your Story Series: Bree
3 min read
Could you please share your experiences around being diagnosed with skin cancer, melanoma, or a skin condition? What diagnosis did you receive and how long ago?
I was diagnosed with psoriasis around the age of 12, after facing several misdiagnoses. Doctors thought it was a fungal infection, even though my father had psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. I was eventually diagnosed with plaque psoriasis and treated with steroid creams. That worked until I was 18, when teenage stress triggered an intense flare-up, and I developed guttate psoriasis from head to toe. I tried countless treatments, but the most effective thing was working on my self-esteem and changing my relationship with my diagnosis. It wasn't easy. I've felt isolated, misunderstood, anxious, depressed, and unworthy of reaching my goals. Being diagnosed with a lifelong autoimmune disease was never going to be easy, but I’m so grateful I’ve managed to grow past that mindset and find a lot of positives!
How has your relationship with the sun changed following your diagnosis?
Like many, when my skin was flaring, I was under the misconception that lying in the tropical sun would clear my psoriasis. On a holiday, this was not the case, my skin freaked out into one of my worst flare-ups ever. There’s a huge myth that baking in the sun is a quick fix, but sunburn is trauma to the skin that actually triggers brand new plaques to form. Trading long-term safety for a temporary result isn't worth it. Severe UV damage increases your risk of dangerous melanoma and premature aging. We still need to protect our skin barrier from harmful UV rays by applying broad-spectrum sunscreen and wearing UPF 50+ clothing. Burning your skin to "heal" it short term only causes lasting damage in the long run!
What does living a sun-safe life mean to you, and how has sun protection impacted your confidence or comfort when spending time outdoors?
Living a sun safe life is pure self-love. It’s about building a genuine, caring relationship with my skin and honoring it on every single level, flares and all. Real skin confidence comes from treating my body with gentleness rather than putting my barrier through harmful UV trauma for a quick fix. Choosing to be sun safe has completely transformed how I feel outdoors, shifting my mindset from anxiety over sunburns, melanoma, and flare-ups to total comfort and peace of mind. Protecting my skin isn't about hiding; it’s about showing up for myself so I can step outside feeling empowered, comfortable and proud of the skin I'm in!
Have you worn any Solbari products? If so, what is your favourite Solbari product and why?
I have worn a lot of Solbari products! Without a doubt, my favourite items would be the hats. They easily find and fit into any bag I’m carrying. They are stylish, comfortable, practical, and fit for any activity outdoors. I always receive so many compliments!
What advice would you give to someone who hasn’t yet embraced sun protection in their routine?
I would tell them that it’s a must! It’s the ultimate form of self-love for your skin! Loving your body means caring for it on every single level and protecting your barrier from harmful UV trauma is a non-negotiable part of that relationship. If you're living with a condition like psoriasis, it can be tempting to use the sun as a shortcut, but burning your skin only causes long-term damage and can trigger even worse flare-ups down the road.
