Though some spots are totally normal and are likely just a part of your skin’s appearance, signs of sun damage may start to appear here and there in the form of freckles and moles. Some of these are totally fine, and some not so much. So how can we tell which of them are potentially harmful?

There are a few ways you can check yourself, but the only way to know for sure is to visit your dermatologist at least once a year for an annual skin check. It’s important to have your skin checked at least annually, because skin cancer may be treated more successfully if it is caught early.

In this blog, I’m going to take you through my visit with my dermatologist and clue you in on the things even I missed while trying to protect my skin.

So what happens during a dermatologist visit? How do I prepare?

Here’s the breakdown:

• Before you go, make sure to remove all makeup from your face and nail polish from your fingers and toes.

• When you get there, you'll strip down to your underwear and change into a medical gown, as you do for any exam that has to get a bit up close and personal. Your doctor may start by inquiring about your history, including sun exposure and any cancer in your family.

• Dr. Brandon Cohen, a dermatologist at Cedars-Sinai, says it's important to speak up if there's anything you're especially concerned about. "Tell the doctor if you've noticed anything different, like a scab that isn't healing normally, or a mole that's growing or changing shape or color," he suggests.

• The screening consists of a head-to-toe visual examination of your skin—including the scalp, face, trunk, limbs, hands, feet, eyes and eyelids, ears, fingers, toenails and toes. If you have had a melanoma in the past or have a family history, your doctor will also look at your lymphatic regions. Some doctors also recommend screening the genital area as a matter of routine.

• The whole visit usually takes no more than about 25 minutes. Between your annual screenings, be diligent about sun protection and follow expert advice on preventing skin cancer.

Okay, so what did I learn at MY Dermatologist Appointment?

Well, I learned quite a few things, but mostly that I wasn’t being as protective as I should be. Here’s what my derm told me:

• I need to extend my daily sunblock to my chest, the “décolletage” area.

• I have freckling on my scalp in the part of my hair, which is a sign of sun damage. I did have a friend get melanoma on her scalp! 

• My derm recommended Heliocare, a supplement containing PLE ( polypodium leuctomos) to use when in intense sun like while on vacation. This product increases the benefits of sunscreen. More fair skinned people may opt to use it daily with sunscreen. It is important to note that it does not protect you from the sun alone, it only works to enhance sunscreen efficiency.

Along with getting your skin checked annually, a major way to protect your skin from skin cancer is by wearing sunscreen, or protective items of clothing when out and about in the sun. My derm gave me a list of great mineral sunscreens. She recommended a powder for my scalp, but I want to avoid powders and aerosols, so I might opt for wearing a hat. You don’t want to be like me and forget to protect all of your precious parts!

I know there are a million types of sunscreen out there, all boasting a different benefit. If you’re not sure what sunscreen is right for you, here’s a guide to sunscreen that breaks them down a little easier:

If I can’t get to a dermatologist, can I do a skin check myself?

Yes, although I do recommend visiting a dermatologist right away if there is a specific spot troubling you.

To determine whether or not a spot could be skin cancer, you should follow the ABCDE’s of Skin Cancer.

The ABCDE’s of skin cancer are the list of characteristics to watch for when checking your skin for spots. If a spot aligns with any of these characteristics, it is best to get it checked out right away:

• A stands for Asymmetry, referring to spots that aren’t the same all around.

• B is for borders, which refers to spots that have a border that is hard to define.

• C is for color, because melanoma is sometimes uneven in color and can even change colors.

• D is for Diameter, for spots larger than 6mm.

• And E is for Evolving, because melanoma can sometimes change shape and size over time.
  

I would like to note that an annual skin check (for adult with normal risk) by a dermatologist has not been included in the list of Preventive Care under the Affordable Care Act. This means it is not a guaranteed covered medical service. Catching skin cancer early can help you get treatment more successfully, so do your self check and consider seeing a dermatologist. If you have met your annual deductible the visit will be completely covered under most plans!

Follow along on social media to see my personal recommendations and tips on how to prevent skin cancer.

And as always,

Be well.

—Dr.D

References:

https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/skin-exams.html#:~:text=The%20screening%20consists%20of%20a,look%20at%20your%20lymphatic%20regions.

https://www.cigna.com/individuals-families/health-wellness/hw/skin-cancer-screening-skc1179

https://www.conehealth.com/services/cancer-care/skin/abcde-of-skin-cancer/