When was Christie Brinkley diagnosed with skin cancer? Model advises everyone to “put your sunblock on every day”

Model Christie Brinkley hosted the Skin Cancer Foundation's Champions for Change Gala in New York City on May 15. Brinkley was diagnosed with skin cancer in March 2024. The model was cancer-free after her doctor removed the cells from her temple surgically.

On Wednesday, the 71-year-old model told Page Six that everyone should regularly use sunscreen and get a yearly full-body checkup.

"All you have to do is put your sunblock on every day, protect your skin, and make getting a full-body check part of your annual physical checkup. Skin cancer's on the rise — be one step ahead," Brinkley said.

When asked about her favourite sunscreens, Christie Brinkley mentioned French skincare brand La Roche-Posay's tinted sunscreen and Supergoop. She said that she prefers the Supergoop sun sticks while doing activities like kayaking.

"I have two that I alternate between. I love La Roche-Posay, it's fabulous, and there are lots of different formulas to choose from. I just got one of the tinted ones, and [it's] lovely. I also love Supergoop. They've got some easy formulas, and they have a stick. I like to kayak and stand-up paddleboard, so I don't want to get my hands gooey," the model stated.

 

 

 

 

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More details on Christie Brinkley's skin cancer diagnosis

On May 29, Christie Brinkley appeared on TODAY for an interview. The model shared that she accompanied her 38-year-old daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, to her dermatologist appointment. While the doctor checked her daughter, she contemplated asking for advice on a spot on her temple.

"I was in the room, and he had this little magnifying glass out, and he's looking at a couple of things that she was worried about. I thought, 'There is that little spot right on the side of my head right here. Should I say anything? It's not my appointment,'" the model said.

Eventually, Christie Brinkley told the doctor about the spot, and the doctor told her to get a biopsy. Soon after the results came back as skin cancer, she went for surgery to remove the basal cell carcinoma.

"He looked and he goes, 'We've got to do a biopsy immediately. This is something.' Then the biopsy came back [as] cancer. They took care of it, and luckily, my hair grows in that direction, but the scar is barely noticeable," Brinkley said.

On March 14, 2024, Christie Brinkley uploaded pictures of her temple post-operation. In the caption, she advised her followers to use sun protection and stated she would take extra care of her skin in the future.

"The good news for you is that all of this can be avoided by being diligent with your sun protection! I got serious a bit late so now for this ole mermaid/gardener, I'll be slathering on my SPF 30, reapplying as needed, wearing long sleeves and a wide brim hat. And doing regular total body check ups..that is a MUST," she said.

 

 

 

 

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For the unversed, Christie Brinkley is a renowned model. She was the face of makeup brand CoverGirl for 25 years and married singer-songwriter Billy Joel from 1985 to 1994. Brinkley published her memoir, Uptown Girl, in April 2025.