A skin check is a visual examination of the entire skin surface, performed by an individual or a medical professional. The primary purpose of this screening is the early detection of skin cancers, which include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and the most dangerous form, melanoma. Early identification of these growths significantly improves treatment outcomes, making regular screening an important part of skin health maintenance. A professional full-body exam allows a trained eye to inspect all areas of the skin, including those that are difficult for an individual to see alone.
Baseline Recommendations for Professional Checks
For the average adult with a low risk profile, a professional skin check is recommended once per year by a dermatologist or primary care physician. This standard annual screening applies to individuals who have no personal or immediate family history of skin cancer, minimal history of excessive sun exposure, or severe sunburns. The annual check provides a complete head-to-toe examination, often utilizing a device like a dermatoscope to magnify suspicious lesions.
Adults between the ages of 20 and 40 with no significant risk factors may only need a professional exam every one to two years. However, the recommendation shifts to annual screening for all individuals over the age of 40 due to the cumulative effects of sun damage.
Factors That Require More Frequent Screening
The baseline recommendation changes significantly for individuals who possess specific risk factors that elevate their chance of developing skin cancer. Individuals who have a personal history of any type of skin cancer face an eight to ten-fold higher risk of developing a subsequent cancer. For these patients, surveillance is intensified, with check-ups recommended every three to six months for at least a few years following their initial diagnosis.
A strong family history (melanoma in a first-degree relative) or the presence of a large number of moles (more than 50) also warrants aggressive monitoring, often requiring a professional skin check every six months. Patients who are immunosuppressed, such as transplant recipients, develop skin cancers at dramatically elevated rates. These individuals may require check-ups every three to six months depending on their degree of immunosuppression. Other factors necessitating a six-month interval include a history of extensive or severe sunburns, particularly blistering burns in childhood, and prolonged exposure to UV radiation from tanning beds or occupational sun exposure.
Performing a Regular Self-Examination
In between professional visits, performing a regular skin self-examination is a proactive step every person should take for their skin health. These self-checks should be conducted monthly to allow an individual to become familiar with the unique pattern of their skin, making it easier to notice new or changing spots. The best time to perform this check is after a shower or bath, in a well-lit room, using a full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror to view difficult-to-see areas.
The process should be systematic, starting with the face, neck, ears, and scalp, using a comb or blow dryer to part the hair for a thorough view. The entire body should then be scanned, including the front, back, and sides, as well as less sun-exposed areas like the palms, soles of the feet, and between the toes. A critical tool for evaluating any suspicious spot is the “ABCDE” mnemonic, which outlines the warning signs of melanoma:
- Asymmetry: One half of the spot does not match the other half.
- Border irregularity: The edges are notched, scalloped, or poorly defined.
- Color variation: Different shades of black, brown, tan, white, red, or blue exist within the same lesion.
- Diameter: Many melanomas are larger than 6 millimeters (the size of a pencil eraser), though some can be smaller.
- Evolving: This is the most significant sign, referring to any change in a mole’s size, shape, color, or symptoms like itching or bleeding.
Noticing any of these ABCDE warning signs, or any sore that does not heal, should prompt an immediate visit to a healthcare provider.