At Magnolia Place, we believe that true health extends far beyond the surface. Your skin is a living reflection of your interconnected physical, emotional, and metabolic well-being—a direct “readout” of internal balance, from hormonal shifts to the stresses of daily life. As your partners in comprehensive wellness, we view Skin Cancer Awareness Month as a critical mission for our vibrant Eastern North Carolina community.
The Reality of Skin Health (A Space for Vulnerability)
Skin health is a foundational pillar of women’s health and our overall quality of life. We understand that a woman’s skin faces unique vulnerabilities at every season of life, driven by the intricate hormonal changes of puberty, pregnancy, and the menopause transition. Whether it is the frustration of hormonal acne or the thinning skin of the “Change of Life,” our team is equipped to safeguard and take back your resilience, and this includes your skin!
In our region, women often wear clothes and bathing suits that expose the skin earlier and more frequently throughout a lifetime—which means more “sun time” for our most visible health asset. At Magnolia Place, we provide a comfortable, supportive environment where women feel empowered to have these vulnerable conversations. We understand that in a Women’s Health practice, there is a unique level of comfort that allows us to reveal our skin from head-to-toe.
This makes your visit the perfect, safe opportunity for proactive skin conversations. Because Eastern North Carolina is a recognized “hotspot” for melanoma, we believe every moment of connection is a chance for prevention.
First-Line Advocacy: Bridging the Gap to Care
We deeply value our local Dermatology colleagues; however, we recognize the staggering demand they face—often resulting in ever-increasing challenges in scheduling to meet the needs of our area. In a region where coastal beach days and our rich agricultural heritage are part of daily life, our vulnerability is naturally higher.
But did you know the risk extends beyond just UV rays? Research suggests that certain pesticides used in our local farmlands—while vital for protecting crops—can impact the immunity of not just the farmers, but everyone living in the surrounding area. These environmental stressors can lead to changes in our natural defenses, potentially increasing the risk of the most aggressive skin cancer: melanoma.
While the team at Magnolia Place are not board-certified dermatologists, we aim to be your primary patient advocate to ensure those months of waiting for a specialist don’t become “missed opportunities.” If you are unable to secure a timely appointment, let’s examine your skin together. We are equipped to assess concerns, teach the ABCDEs of skin health, and even take clinical photos to send directly to Dermatology with your referral, ensuring your concerns are documented and prioritized.
Even if you are not yet a patient at Magnolia Place, we know your healthcare provider appreciates you and wants to address your concerns. No matter the medical setting, we invite you to feel empowered to advocate for yourself. It does not have to be a long conversation—a quick mention that you have a skin concern is enough to start the process. Together, we are the change that healthcare needs.
The “Clean & Green” Difference: Safety Without Compromise
Many women avoid daily sun protection because they’ve only experienced formulas that are “icky or sticky.” However, a deeper concern lies in the “unintended ingredients” allowed in many U.S. sunscreens that are strictly banned in Europe.
We’ve done the homework for you. Our team performs deep-dives into popular brands to identify sunscreens free from endocrine disruptors. We prioritize your Whole Health Story, advocating for mineral-based options that are deemed clean, green, and safe. Research from the Silent Spring Institute has scrutinized certain synthetic filters—like oxybenzone—for their potential to interfere with hormones and their possible links to broader health concerns, including breast cancer.
We believe you shouldn’t have to choose between preventing skin cancer and protecting your hormonal health. We are so grateful to the innovators developing “skin-savvy” sunscreens that are literally invisible! These modern formulas feel nurturing and supportive, yet go completely undetectable. No ick, no stick in our day! As your Skin & Wellness Advocates, we are ready to share our favorites that feel like luxury skincare while safeguarding your health.
Cultivating Radiance: The Magnolia Approach
We utilize a “Nurtured by Nature, Powered by Science” approach to safeguard your resilience, no matter your season of life:
- Nurtured by Nature: We empower you with lifestyle interventions and daily skincare routines tailored to our specific Eastern NC climate. Our team helps you navigate the noise to decide between over-the-counter and medical-grade skincare options that best fit your unique needs.
- Powered by Science: When nature needs a boost, our Skin Renewal Sciences offer a dedicated path to restoration. Our team is comprised of Women’s Health specialists bringing together decades of combined expertise. Using advanced facial analyses and medical-grade therapies—such as plant-based exosomes with our AquaFirme facial, EXOIE skin therapies, and Cellenis PRP—we target sun damage at the cellular level. Coupled with the latest energy-based technologies, including Morpheus8, NouvaDerm, Lumenis laser resurfacing, and Lumecca IPL, we work to revive and restore your skin’s natural vitality.
Your Path Forward: The Skin & Wellness Membership
In a high-risk area like ours, prevention is a practice, not a one-time event. We believe that access to advanced skin health therapies should be both sustainable and supportive of your long-term goals. While these treatments are an essential investment in your health and self-care, we recognize that consistency is often the missing piece due to the traditional costs of clinical care. However, when we consider the alternative—the physical, emotional, and financial implications of treating advanced skin cancer—it is clear that proactive prevention is the far more affordable path.
Our Skin & Wellness Membership was created to forge a new way toward affordability and access. For our existing Magnolia Place members, let’s use your next visit to focus on your skin concerns and establish your unique health roadmap. For those new to our community, this exclusive membership unlocks a curated structure of savings, ensuring year-round access to our medical team. By building in consistent value, we help you remain accountable and motivated to protect your skin’s integrity through every season.
Don’t let our “hotspot” status define your health. Let us help you protect your glow and your future, from the roots up.
EXPERT BIO: MARIE STORMI ROWE, MD, FACOG, MSCP
Dr. Marie Stormi Rowe is a product of the Eastern North Carolina medical system, and her roots in our region run deep. Her understanding of the realities of skin health began at a young age; growing up in Morehead City as a fair-skinned, blue-eyed blonde, the cycle of sunscreen and sunburns was never-ending—especially within her family’s heritage of boating and fishing.
This personal connection sparked a passion for skin health long before the founding of Magnolia Place. As an Albert Schweitzer Fellow during medical school, she launched the “Save Our Skin” initiative, teaching skin health and cancer prevention in schools across her coastal hometown. Today, as a Board-Certified OBGYN and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, Dr. Rowe leads an all-female medical team dedicated to advocating for women in every facet of their health. She uniquely blends her lifelong passion for skin advocacy with specialized hormonal expertise, providing a sanctuary for women at every stage of life. Together, she and her team are grateful to serve the women and families of eastern North Carolina.
THE ABCDEs
Check your spots! If a mole is Asymmetrical, has an irregular Border, multiple Colors, a Diameter larger than a pencil eraser, or is Evolving in any way—let’s look at it together.
THE “GREENVILLE GLOW” OFFER
Mention this article to receive a Complimentary 3D Skinscope Skinceuticals Skin Health Analysis. We’ll identify underlying sun damage and create your personalized Skin & Wellness roadmap. Call us at (252) 751-9002 to book or go to our website and check us out!
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided is for general awareness and does not constitute a medical diagnosis. While we serve as first-line advocates for skin health, we are not board-certified dermatologists and work in a supportive role alongside specialists. Skin cancer can present as new pearly bumps, firm red nodules, or changing moles. Common management for detected skin cancer includes surgical excision, Mohs surgery, and specialized topical therapies.
