How to check your own skin in ten minutes

Skin checks

4 min read

Dr. Anneliese Ruark, MD

A monthly self-check catches changes early. Here is the order we use, what to look for and when to call.

Once a month, after a shower, in good light, with a full-length mirror and a hand mirror. That is the whole setup. The point is not to diagnose anything; it is to notice change, because change is what we care about most.

Work from the top down so you don’t skip anything: scalp (a hair dryer or a partner helps), face and ears, neck, chest, arms and the backs of your hands, then your back with the hand mirror, legs, the soles of your feet and between your toes. Take a phone photo of any spot you want to compare next month.

Call us if a spot is new after age 30, looks different from your other moles, has grown or changed color, or bleeds without a reason. You don’t need to be sure. Most of what people bring in is harmless, and we would much rather see it early.

This note is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Results vary from person to person. If a spot bleeds, grows quickly or changes color, book a visit within days.

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