SkinCeuticals And Celebrity Tastemakers Raise Awareness Around Skin Cancer Checks

NEW YORK, May 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Melanoma is the deadliest form of Skin Cancer. According to the Melanoma Research Alliance, more than 76,000 Americans are diagnosed with Melanoma each year - yet, it is the easiest to cure, if diagnosed and treated at an early stage.  SkinCeuticals, the leader in antioxidant and sun protection technology, today announced the launch of a campaign to raise awareness around the important, preventative practice of regular skin cancer checks. In honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, SkinCeuticals will be sponsoring free, full body skin cancer checks at select dermatologist offices across the country.  Throughout the month of May, Board Certified dermatologists will be donating their specialized expertise to perform comprehensive skin checks.  These head-to-toe examinations will stretch beyond the visual inspection of the face, neck, arms and hands typically offered at public skin cancer scans and will aim to help local community members reduce the risk of Melanoma and provide a lifesaving service, free of charge. 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130501/NY05275-INFO-a)
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130501/NY05275-b)

To encourage consumers to get their skin checked prior to the onset of the summer season, SkinCeuticals created a digital video "spot," cast with celebrity and media tastemakers.  This minute long video aims to playfully educate consumers on the serious topic of skin cancer prevention and protection with the simple message to "prevent, protect and get checked." Featured in the video are familiar faces and cameos from an eclectic mix of industry insiders including: Top Chef host, Padma Lakshmi, Fashion designer, Rebecca Minkoff, NHL star, Sean Avery, Lifestyle Blogger, Derek Blasberg, New York Society Influencer, Annabelle Dexter-Jones and Beauty Expert, Jeannine Morris.  This video will live on SkinCeuticals.com/prevent as well as the brand's social media channels, including Facebook and YouTube. To ensure that this important message reaches a broad audience SkinCeuticals is committed to donating $1 to the Melanoma Research Alliance for every time the video is shared.¹   

"We are thrilled to have teamed up with such a dynamic and eclectic group of influencers to support the important cause of skin cancer prevention," said Brenda Wu, VP of US Marketing, Public & Medical Relations. "Historically, SkinCeuticals has primarily relied on our community of dermatologists to relay the importance of skin cancer prevention. But as consumer behavior has evolved, we feel now is the right time to create and advance our first consumer-oriented original content, with the goal of reaching a wider audience with our singular message of advancing skin health. Our wish for consumers is simple - we want them all to Prevent. Protect. And Get Checked."

"Melanoma does not discriminate against color or tone.  It reaches everyone.  That is why, in my everyday life I take precautionary measures to protect myself from the sun," says Top Chef host, Padma Lakshmi.  "I wear sunscreen every day, wear big sun hats and try to find shade as much as possible.  Beyond that I get my skin checked by my dermatologist at least once a year.   It is my hope, that my participation in this video with SkinCeuticals will prompt people to get their skin checked this summer and maybe even help save a life."

"SkinCeuticals has been a valuable corporate ally of the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA)," said Debra Black, Melanoma Survivor and Founder of the MRA.  "We applaud their continued dedication toward skin health awareness and commitment toward our shared goal of finding a cure to Melanoma." Since 2010, SkinCeuticals and the MRA have aligned to recruit and support the next generation of melanoma researchers.  To date SkinCeuticals has donated over $200,000 to fund melanoma research.  Most recently, the SkinCeuticals MRA Young Investigator Award was granted to Barbara Bodogni, Ph.D., who is currently embarking on a three year study concentrating on a new approach to treat skin cancer using her background in driver genes and signaling pathways. 

To view the SkinCeuticals video and a full list of dermatologists participating in the SkinCeuticals skin check program go to SkinCeuticals.com/prevent.

¹ SkinCeuticals will donate $1 per share, with a maximum donation of $5,000 during the month of May.

ABOUT SKINCEUTICALS:
Founded in Dallas, TX in 1997, SkinCeuticals discovers, develops and delivers an advanced line of scientifically-backed cosmeceutical treatments.  As leaders in antioxidant and sun protection technology, SkinCeuticals products have been shown to dramatically improve skin health by protecting skin from environmental damage and visibly improving skin clarity, tone, and texture to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. For more information, visit www.skinceuticals.com.

ABOUT MELANOMA RESEARCH ALLIANCE:
The Melanoma Research Alliance is a public charity formed in 2007 under the auspices of the Milken Institute, with the generous founding support of Debra and Leon Black.  It supports an international, cross-disciplinary group of biomedical researchers possessing clinical and scientific expertise to explore, identify and pursue innovative solutions to critical research questions, leading to better treatments and a cure for melanoma patients. For more information, visit www.curemelanoma.org.

SOURCE SkinCeuticals