Sun Safety Alliance

Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, (@SkinLaserMD), is an internationally-known author and lecturer on cosmetic dermatology and cutaneous laser surgery. She joined the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in 2001 and currently serves as the Co-director of Laser Surgery. Dr. Tanzi also holds a position as clinical Instructor in the Department of Dermatology at Johns Hopkins Hospital Center. Dr. Tanzi pursued her medical education at the Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York, where she graduated in the Alpha Omega Alpha. You can visit her website as well at skinlaser.com


Dr. Tanzi is also a skin cancer survivor.

She was recently featured in SELF magazine as well as on the Today show to educate audiences about the seriousness of skin cancer. During the interview, Dr. Tanzi draws attention to many excellent points, that we at the Sun Safety Alliance also hold strong to be advocates of.

"1 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed yearly". Skin cancer is on the rise, and people must become smarter while in the sun. "People need to hear about the number of increased cases of skin cancer". Especially melanoma. It is "the most preventable and curable form of cancer", but also the most deadly. The Skin Cancer Foundation has stated that “one person every hour dies from melanoma”.

"30 SPF and up will block 97% of the sun's rays". Fight melanoma by applying and applying and reapplying. When most apply sunscreen, they only apply bare minimum. It's greasy and sticks to every thing. Sand and sunscreen are among the most obnoxious combination. Yet did you know you are supposed to apply an ounce of sunscreen every time you apply and reapply? "Reapply an ounce! That is so much!"

To encourage readers to protect themselves from melanoma, SELF-magazine has offered, in accordance with a recent Harvard study, to send a text message reminder about reapplying sunscreen. If you text SELFSKIN to 467467, you will receive four weekly alerts reminding readers to reapply.


“The only safe tan is a fake tan”. Dr. Tanzi explains that tanning beds are the equivalent of smoking and should not be used. Many young people today are in denial that skin cancer is real and they subject themselves to skin cancer by roasting in tanning beds. They do not understand the severity, look through some of the quotes pulled from twitter:

@Farraaa: “tanning.. yay skin cancer”

@taylordawnn: “tanning again. Skin cnacer? Probably”

@adeledgirltellem“so one of my best friends has skin cancer & i promised i'd stop tanning & such. but i cant do it! sorry bbygrl- LAYING OUT @ the beach <3



Though it is frustrating that a twitter search on "skin cancer" brings up a number of people that are ignorant to the realities of the disease, there are a few that advocate sun safety and skin cancer awareness. Those of us that have the knowledge and the evidence that skin cancer is on the rise must continue to educate those around us. Because many are unaware the severity of skin cancer and it's our job to inform them.