Q. Maddy, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
A: Hey there! I’m Maddy, 38 years young—though I like to think I’m aging like a fine wine! I’ve been a registered nurse for 18 years—yes, I started when I was basically a toddler. I’ve specialised in two areas that are pretty different but also weirdly connected: Aged Care and Skin. That means I’ve seen it all, from the struggles of aging skin to the delicate care needed for wound management. I’m based in beautiful regional Victoria, and I run my own skin clinic called Skinovate Clinic. It’s my little slice of heaven where I help people feel confident in their skin.
Q. Can you share why raising awareness about Skin Cancer is so important to you?
A: Skin cancer awareness is super important to me because, honestly, it’s one of those cancers that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough—despite the fact that 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with it in their lifetime! That’s like a game of Russian roulette that no one wants to play. On a personal note, my grandfather died from melanoma, which was on his throat. The treatment was brutal—he lost his ability to speak and eat, and sadly, he passed before I was even born. So, skin cancer has always been a part of my family’s story. I want to make sure fewer families have to go through what mine did. Plus, no one wants to be the person who says, “I wish I’d worn more sunscreen,” right?
Q. What was your approach to sun safety/skin safety growing up and in your teens/twenties?
A: Oh man, I was SO lucky to have my mum. She’s this absolute goddess of a woman who always drilled sun safety into us. We were that family that never left the house without sunscreen slathered on, even when it wasn’t cool to do so. I started wearing sunscreen daily at 15—which, trust me, was the height of rebellion back in the early 2000s when everyone was into solariums and rocking those iconic Playboy bunny tan lines (remember those?). I think I was one of the only girls in school who didn’t have a tan, and I was proud of it. Knowing our family’s history with skin cancer, we were always sun-smart. Plus, I’ve never been a fan of the beach—sand just gets everywhere, you know?
Q. Why did you become a skin cancer nurse?
A: It kind of feels like skin cancer nursing chose me, in a way. I started out in the skin and cosmetic space, which is an interesting combo—one minute, you’re doing botox, and the next, you’re helping someone with a topical chemotherapy treatment. But it’s all connected because skin cancer is more common than people think, even in the cosmetic world. Early in my nursing career, I did a stint in oncology, and that really opened my eyes to how devastating cancer can be. I think there’s so much about skin cancer that people just aren’t aware of—from yearly skin checks to the incredible reconstructive work surgeons do. Knowing you’re helping people avoid a potentially life-threatening condition is truly an honour in my opinion.
Q. Have you or anyone in your family been diagnosed with skin cancer? Can you share more about it?
A: My grandfather’s story has always stuck with me—he passed away from melanoma before I was born, so I never got to meet him. But both of my parents were diagnosed with cancer just three weeks apart, right before my wedding! My dad had prostate cancer, and my mum had breast cancer. It was a whirlwind of emotions, to say the least. I was honestly just numb when I heard the news, and I remember thinking, “How are we going to get through this?” But somehow, we did. I was so grateful that my dad was able to walk me down the aisle before he started treatment. It’s these kinds of moments that remind you how important early detection and treatment are.
Q. What changes have you and your family made to your lifestyle after these diagnoses?
A: After that experience, we all became way more proactive about our health. We don’t mess around with check-ups anymore. Skin checks, cancer screenings, you name it—we’re on it. And you know what? It’s actually brought us closer as a family. There’s nothing like a double cancer diagnosis to make you realise that life is short and you’ve got to take care of yourself. Now, we’re that family that reminds everyone else to get their skin checked and wear sunscreen. We’ve become a bit like the sunscreen police, to be honest—sorry, not sorry!
Q. What would you like to see change when it comes to skin checks and accessibility?
A: I’d love to see skin checks become as routine as a blood test or going for a pap smear. Right now, it still feels like something people only think about when they’ve already got a suspicious mole, but it shouldn’t be that way. It should be a regular part of your health routine. I think it would be amazing if more GPs were trained in mole checking and if skin checks were more widely available in GP clinics. The space is growing, which is great, but we still have a way to go. Plus, wouldn’t it be cool if your GP could say, “Oh, while you’re here for your flu shot, let’s just take a quick look at that mole”?
Q. We connected through your sunless tanning testing. Can you tell us what motivated you to start this platform and why you opted for a sunless tan?
A: I’ve always been the fairest of them all so, getting a “real tan” was never on my radar. I didn’t want to risk the sun damage or, you know, skin cancer, inducing aging all for the sake of being two shades darker. That’s why I’m all about sunless tanning. I started my TikTok because I felt like there were so many sunless tanning products out there – and as you know as our reigning QUEEN, but it was hard to figure out which ones were actually good without being bombarded by marketing and fake before/after photos. I wanted to be that unbiased voice for people who just want to look fabulous without frying themselves in the sun or looking like Shrek.
Q. How do you hope to positively impact others by sharing your story?
A: I hope my story encourages people to take skin cancer seriously, no matter their age. It’s not just something that affects older people—it’s a real risk for everyone. If I can inspire even one person to get their skin checked or wear sunscreen daily, then I’ve done my job. And honestly, if I can make people laugh along the way while they learn something important, even better! I want people to know that taking care of your skin doesn’t have to be scary or boring—it can be empowering, fun and a form of self-love.
Q. If you could share one piece of advice about sun safety with those reading this, what would it be?
A: Wear sunscreen every single day—rain, hail, or shine. Make it a non-negotiable part of your routine, like brushing your teeth. Your future self will thank you, and so will your skin! Oh, and one more thing—don’t forget the back of your neck and your ears. Those spots are sneaky and tend to get overlooked, but they need love too!
Watch Maddy's story on Instagram
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Written By Liana Pantalone – Beauty & Skincare Copywriter at Climbing Vine Co.
