Staying Safe in the Sun Erin Jensen, a certified physician’s assistant and Zeta Beta alumna, shares her tips for keeping your skin healthy in the summertime heat.
By Brooke Davidson (Kappa Eta-Florida)
said, as she was a recruitment advisor for the Zeta Beta chapter for nine years. After so much experience in the skin industry, Erin’s wisdom can be concentrated into the following four simple steps for staying safe in the sun.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with one in five Americans estimated to develop it in their lifetime lifetime (bit.ly/SunSafetyAPhi). The best way to help lower these statistics is to practice preventative care, which is where Erin Jensen (Zeta Beta-Loyola Marymount) comes in. Growing up, Erin had several moles that needed to be checked or removed by her dermatologist every year, which sparked an interest in skin and aesthetics. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at Loyola Marymount University, where she was a member of the Zeta Beta chapter. Later, while working toward becoming a physician’s assistant at the University of Southern California, she tagged along to her mom’s dermatology appointment and left with both an offer for a rotation and a future job. “I appreciated that female physician connection when she hired me,” Erin said. “I’ve been in skin, dermatology and aesthetics for the past 15 years and haven’t stopped.” After working in medicine for nine years, Erin noticed a lack of customer service in the field, feeling like her patients were just another number waiting in a cold room for a rushed appointment. That’s when she decided to open The Treatment Skin Boutique to provide aesthetic treatments and medical-grade skin care with a focus on hospitality. “We take care of you from start to finish,” Erin said, referring to the comfortable and welcoming environment provided for their patients. Over its six years of operation, Erin estimates The Treatment has served over 25,000 patients throughout its six locations across California and one location in Nevada. As CEO and aesthetics director, she sees her patients once a week to keep her skills sharp and understand what they’re going through. She even treats fellow Alpha Phis, including advisors. “It’s a continuous connection and bond,” she
1. Protect Your Skin Hats, sunglasses and long sleeves with a high SPF (sun protection factor) rating and UV (ultraviolet) protection are essential when in the sun. Erin even keeps arm sleeves in her glove compartment to slip over her arms for long daytime drives. “There are good sun brands that will actually have an SPF rating on them,” Erin said. “Even a light scarf or some kind of fabric to cover yourself is great.”
2. Lather Up According to Erin, physical ingredients in sunscreens like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide protect your skin better than chemical ingredients. Chemical sunscreens aren’t bad, but they do filter sun rays
instead of reflecting them like physical sunscreens do. Consult the ingredients over choosing the highest SPF number, she advised.
A lot of people don’t like sunscreen because of the way it feels or smells, but there are many different types. “If you don’t like sunscreen,
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