The Importance of Annual Skin Checks
How much do you know about annual skin checks? Did you know they can help prevent and identify skin cancer? The truth is, that annual skin checks can help save your life. A quick trip to the dermatologist once each year can help. The dermatologists at The Dermatology Center at Ladera in Ladera Ranch, CA, offer comprehensive dermatology services, including annual skin checks, skin cancer diagnosis, and treatment.
What You Need To Know About Skin Checks
You should visit your dermatologist once each year for a skin check. You may need to visit more often if you are at high risk of developing skin cancer. Several factors can increase your risk of skin cancer, including if you:
- Have fair skin and freckles
- Tend to sunburn easily
- Have a family history of skin cancer
- Spend a lot of time out in the sun
When you visit your dermatologist for a skin check your dermatologist will look for:
- Large moles, with a diameter over 6 millimeters
- Asymmetrically shaped moles
- Poorly defined moles, with ragged borders
- Recurrent moles that have grown back after previous removal
- Itchy, bleeding, or oozing moles
- Red, itchy, scaly patches of skin that don’t go away
If your dermatologist identifies potentially abnormal moles or areas of skin, your dermatologist may remove the mole or take a tissue sample for a biopsy. The biopsy determines whether the tissue or mole is benign or cancerous. A biopsy can also determine whether the type of skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, or melanoma.
Remember to protect yourself against skin cancer by performing self-checks of your skin regularly. In addition, remember to:
- Wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 daily
- Wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50 if you are at high risk of developing skin cancer
- Wear sunglasses, a hat, and other protective clothing
- Avoid using tanning booths
- Try to stay out of direct sunlight between 10 AM and 2 PM, when UV rays are most damaging
Want To Know More?
To discover more about the importance of annual skin checks and how they can help prevent skin cancer, call the dermatologists at The Dermatology Center at Ladera in Ladera Ranch, CA. You can reach them in the office by calling (949) 364-8411, so call today.
