I’ve been a beauty therapist for over 30 years, and I never imagined how much that role could impact someone’s life, until it did.
One day during a regular waxing appointment, I noticed a very small red bump, no bigger than 2 or 3mm, on the back of a client’s calf. It hadn’t been there the month before, and although it could have been something innocent like a bite, something about it didn’t sit right with me. She was very fair-skinned, blonde, blue-eyed, and often came in sunburnt after being outdoors with her horses. I gently suggested she get it checked out by her GP. She seemed hesitant - it was just a tiny red pimple, after all.
Months later, she returned to the salon to thank me. She’d happened to mention the bump during another GP appointment, and her doctor took it seriously. It turned out to be an aggressive melanoma. She had to undergo major surgery on her leg, including a skin graft. Her surgeon told her it had been caught just in time and asked how she even knew to get it looked at.
She said, “My leg wax lady told me to.”
Since then, I’ve made skin cancer awareness a key part of my practice. I’ve completed training with SKCIN and SKCIN PRO and attended a dermoscopy course led by Dr Brian Malcolm at the Sterex Electrolysis Academy. Over the years, I’ve spotted many lesions. Thankfully, most are harmless, but some have needed medical attention. I was so pleased when the Map My Mole service became available. It filled a huge gap for clients who were worried about a lesion but unsure what to do. It’s not always easy to get a GP appointment, and many people don’t feel confident seeking medical advice for something they think might be “nothing.” And while our GPs do an incredible job, referrals to dermatology can be hard to come by. Map My Mole offers peace of mind. It’s quick, accessible, and the detailed reports come back so fast. As a clinic, it’s become an essential part of what we offer. In an age where skin cancer is on the rise, it helps us take proactive steps - giving our clients reassurance and sometimes, even saving lives.
Thank you to Catherine at Spa Bottom Treatment Rooms