Just kidding, this is an intervention.

Pale-Person-Reading-This,

I want you to know that I care for you and I respect you. As a fellow pale person, I feel a special bond between us where we can understand what it’s like being ghostly white amongst a sea of bronze in the Summer. I know what it feels like to have friends and strangers comment “Wow! You’re so pale!” (Sidenote: Thanks for the reminder @anyonewhosaysthistome. I almost forgot what skin tone I am!) I also know what it’s like to put the saturation and warmth up on Instagram photos to create any sort of illusion that I have color in me. The point is: I understand where you’re coming from.

Lately, however, I’ve been growing concerned for you. Your lack of adequate sunscreen use is causing significant problems in your life. Over the past couple years, you’ve gotten some terrible sunburns. Last week, you didn’t even wear sunscreen, because you were “only going to be outside for an hour.” Other days, you only apply SPF 30 once when you plan on being out for several hours. Afterward, I see you post a picture online of your red-hot skin captioned “FML” like it’s something to laugh at. I’m sorry, but it’s not funny. It’s not a joke that a pale person got sunburned after not putting on sunscreen. It’s just a fact of life.

I want to say that I know what’s like to get badly burned, and it took me awhile to accept who I am. People like us will never get tan. If we’re lucky, we get to be a nice Crayola peach. Even then, it’s not worth the pain, especially during showers.

As I said before, I care about you. I really do. I want to see you get better. Will you please seek help? There are plenty of ways to prevent this. I can even direct you to the nearest drugstore or Target to buy more sunscreen that’s at least SPF 50. I also strongly advise that you reapply. One time is never enough. Also, if you’re unable to reach your back, there are people that care about your wellbeing and will help you apply it. I love you too much to watch these continual sunburns go on any longer. If you choose to refuse this help, you could face repercussions in the form of skin cancer or even premature wrinkles. Don’t let that be your future. Change your ways and protect your skin.

With Love,
Fellow-Pale-Person

Written by Mary Lavelle, Social Media Girl