Your Monthly Skin Check: A Dermatologist's Guide to Performing a Lifesaving Self-Exam

As a board-certified dermatologist, one of the most crucial habits I advocate for all my patients is performing regular skin self-examinations. While annual professional skin checks are vital, what you do between those visits plays a massive role in early detection. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, but it's also highly treatable when caught early. Your own eyes can be your first line of defense, and knowing how to examine your skin properly is a skill that could genuinely save your life.

Think of a monthly skin self-exam like other routine health checks – it's a proactive step towards managing your well-being. It empowers you to become familiar with your skin's normal landscape of moles, freckles, and spots, making it easier to notice any changes or new arrivals that might warrant professional attention.

Why Monthly Self-Exams Matter:

1. Early Detection: Catching melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma in their earliest stages dramatically increases the success rate of treatment.
2. Familiarity: Regularly checking your skin helps you learn what's "normal" for you, making suspicious changes stand out more readily.
3. Proactive Health: It puts you in control of monitoring your skin health between professional appointments.

Also read: The Power of Three: A Dermatologist-Approved Minimalist Skincare Routine

Getting Started: What You'll Need

Performing an effective self-exam doesn't require fancy equipment. Find a well-lit room, preferably with natural light, and gather:

1. A full-length mirror.
2. A hand mirror.
3. A chair or stool (optional, for checking feet).
4. Optional: A comb or hairdryer (for scalp check), a smartphone for photos (to track changes), or a body map chart to note locations.

Aim to perform your exam around the same time each month so it becomes routine.

The Step-by-Step Examination Process:

The key is to be systematic and thorough, checking your entire body.

1. Face & Head: Stand in front of the full-length mirror. Examine your face, including your nose, lips, mouth, and ears (front and back). Use the hand mirror for a closer look if needed. Thoroughly check your scalp by parting your hair section by section. Using a comb or hairdryer on a cool setting can help lift the hair. If possible, have a partner help check your scalp.
2. Hands & Arms: Examine the front and back of your hands, between your fingers, and under your fingernails. Move up your arms, checking forearms, elbows, and upper arms on all sides. Don't forget your underarms.
3. Torso (Front): Examine your neck, chest, and abdomen. Women should lift their breasts to check the skin underneath.
4. Torso (Sides & Back): Raise your arms and check your sides. Now, turn your back to the full-length mirror. Hold the hand mirror to inspect your upper back, lower back, neck, and buttocks. Check carefully – the back is a common spot for skin cancers, especially melanoma.
5. Legs & Feet: Sit down if it's easier. Use the hand mirror to examine the backs of your legs, your calves, and ankles. Check the tops and soles of your feet, between your toes, and under your toenails.

What Are You Looking For? The Warning Signs:

As you examine your skin, pay attention to any new spots or changes in existing moles or lesions. Use the ABCDE rule as a guide, primarily for melanoma, but remember any change is worth noting:

1. A - Asymmetry: One half of the mole or spot doesn't match the other half.
2. B - Border: The edges are irregular, scalloped, blurred, or poorly defined.
3. C - Color: The color is uneven, with varying shades of brown, tan, black, or even patches of white, red, or blue.
4. D - Diameter: The spot is larger than 6 millimeters across (about the size of a pencil eraser), although melanomas can sometimes be smaller when first detected.
5. E - Evolving: The mole or spot is changing in size, shape, color, elevation, or exhibiting new symptoms like itching, crusting, or bleeding. This is often the most critical warning sign.

Beyond the ABCDEs (Signs of Basal Cell & Squamous Cell Carcinoma):

Also, be alert for:

1. A new pink or reddish growth, bump, or patch that crusts, itches, or bleeds easily.
2. A sore that doesn't heal within a few weeks.
3. A pearly, shiny, or waxy bump.
4. A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion.
5. A rough, scaly patch (which could be an actinic keratosis, a pre-cancerous lesion).
6. The "Ugly Duckling" sign: Any spot that looks significantly different from all the others on your body.

Also read: Acne and Diet Myths: A Dermatologist Sets the Record Straight on 5 Common Beliefs

Found Something Suspicious? Don't Panic, Take Action!

If you find a spot that concerns you:

1. Don't Panic: Many spots turn out to be benign (non-cancerous).
2. Document (Optional but Helpful): Take a clear photo with good lighting and note the date and location. This can help track changes.
3. Schedule an Appointment: Call a board-certified dermatologist promptly for a professional evaluation. Do not wait to see if it changes further or try to self-diagnose. Early diagnosis is crucial.

Remember: Self-Exams Complement Professional Checks

Your monthly self-exam is a powerful tool, but it doesn't replace your annual (or more frequent, if you're high-risk) skin examination by a board-certified dermatologist. We have specialized tools (like dermatoscopes) and extensive training to identify subtle signs you might miss.

Making skin self-exams a regular part of your health routine is a simple yet profound investment in your well-being. Be vigilant, know your skin, and don't hesitate to seek professional help when something doesn't look right.