There are many familiar rituals we Americans perform all the time like heading to the beach in summer and tailgating during football season. One ritual in particular is important to safeguard our skin from the danger of UV rays from the sun. This ritual should be performed monthly whether you are a “newbie” or an “old hand.” Learning how to perform a skin self-exam: a step by step guide is critical. Many times this is followed by a visit to a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Dean Goodless for further investigation.
Be the Four Out of Five
It is believed one out of five people will develop skin cancer. It may be because they were unaware how dangerous the sun is when they were young, or they forgot to reapply sunscreen when out at the beach. There are a multitude of reasons skin cancer can happen. What is important is that you impress upon everyone in your family, including children, how important wearing sunscreen really is to protect their skin and their life.
Be part of the four out of five and perform a skin self-exam in addition to annual full body skin exams with a dermatologist.
How to Best Perform a Skin Self-Exam
Begin this ritual by working in good light after taking a shower or bath. It is especially helpful to have someone there with you to observe areas you cannot see well. Stand in front of a full length mirror if possible, and have a small hand mirror handy. Follow this step by step guide.
1. Face The Mirror
Examine the front of your body, chest, face, forearms, underarms, hands , palms, and between your fingers, even fingernails..
Women should lift their breasts up to look under. Look at both sides of your arms.
2. Sitting Down
Check the back of your legs and feet. Look at the soles of your feet and the spaces between your toes. Check the front and back of your thighs and shins, plus buttocks.
Use the hand mirror if needed.
3. Scalp and Neck
Check your scalp and neck. Use the mirror or have your helper look. A hair dryer works too.
4. Keep Track of Any Spots
If you notice something, draw a picture of it or take a photo, and measure the size. You can compare any changes with each skin check. Note color changes, size, or shape differences.
Watch for a sore that doesn’t heal, or a bleeding or itchy area. The more you do this check, the easier it will be to spot something different.
What to Look for During a Self-Skin Exam
You are looking for:
- Changing spots or growths
- Anything that bleeds or doesn’t heal
- Something like a wart
- A rough scaly red patch
- A mole with an unusual shape and odd borders
When to See a Dermatologist
If you notice any of the signs above, be sure to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist. Early detection is key.
Contact board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Dean Goodless at (407) 566-1616 to schedule an annual full body skin exam or if you are concerned about any unusual spots.
Sources: Detect Skin Cancer – National LGBT Cancer Network (cancer-network.org)