What to Expect During a Skin Exam (Plus How to Give Yourself a Skin Check at Home)
So you’ve scheduled your annual check-ins with your doctor, consider adding “skin check” to your to-do list, too! Seeing a dermatologist at least once a year is an important step to maintaining healthy skin.
As dermatologist Dr. Sharyn A. Laughlin, MD explains, “There is no magic age at which you should start getting skin checks. It depends on your skin type, your sun exposure profile, whether you have a history of frequent sunburns, and your family history. Though certain studies show that going through routine skin exams isn’t a 100 percent guarantee that you won’t get skin cancer, having a go-to dermatologist who understands your specific issues is never a bad idea.”
If you haven’t had your body examined from head-to-toe for any suspicious moles, lesions or spots before, now is the right time to do so. Here’s everything you need to know about skin cancer screenings, how to give yourself a skin check and a few other tips on how to keep the largest organ in your body—your skin—safe.
But First, What Is Skin Cancer?
Of the thousands of types of cancer diagnoses someone can receive, the most common one is skin cancer. It’s estimated that between 40 and 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have either basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma at least once, according to SkinCancer.org. In simple terms, skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells and it happens when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells triggers mutations. Though you can experience skin cancer anywhere on your body, the areas that receive the most exposure to sunlight—like your scalp, face, shoulders and chest—are more at risk than say, your underarms.
What Are the Types of Skin Cancer?
There are dozens of types of skin cancer, all with varying degrees of severity and frequency, but the most common forms are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Here, Dr. Bobby Awadalla M.D., a dermatologist and Mohs Skin Cancer Surgeon in Laguna Beach, CA, explains the difference:
1. Basal Cell Carcinoma
There are more than four million cases of basal cell carcinomas (BCC) each year in the United States, making it the most common type of skin cancer. BCC arises from your epidermis, which is the outer layer of your skin and are typically slow-growing. Though often easier to treat than other forms, Dr. Awadalla says, “If left for an extended period of time, they can have catastrophic consequences, especially on the face.” When you’re on the lookout for possible BCC spots, Dr. Awadalla says to look for a pearly appearance and take special note if the area starts to bleed. If a freckle, mole or spot changes over a few months, see your dermatologist right away. Read more
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