Have you noticed an unusual mole on yourself or your client and wondered whether it was a skin cancer? Do you know whether tanning beds are safe? Do you know whether you can safely massage warts?

This workshop will answer these questions, and more, through a lively discussion on typical benign and malignant skin diseases you will encounter in your massage practice. We will explore benign skin conditions, such as psoriasis, ichthyosis, warts, ringworm and discuss whether massage therapy is appropriate. Also, we will discuss the three most common skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma), the risks for developing skin cancer, current research on tanning, and the risks/benefits of massage therapy for a client with skin cancer. We will view color photographs of the all benign and malignant skin lesions as well as live demonstrations from volunteers in the workshop and local community.

The goals of the workshop are to become familiar and comfortable with the various common benign and malignant skin lesions, to gain confidence in your exploration of the skin, and become well informed to discuss skin conditions with your client.