Many skin cancers are first noticed by patients or their partners, not by a doctor. That is why a monthly skin self-exam is one of the simplest and most useful things you can do for your health. It takes about ten minutes, costs nothing and helps you notice changes early, when skin cancer is easiest to treat.
This guide walks through exactly how to check your skin, what to look for, and when a spot needs a professional look.
Key takeaways
- Check your skin once a month in good light, using a full-length mirror and a hand mirror.
- Look for anything new, changing or different from your other spots.
- Use the ABCDE rule for moles, and watch for sores that do not heal.
- Take photos so you can compare from month to month.
- A self-exam does not replace a full-body skin check with a dermatologist, especially if you are at higher risk.
Why a monthly self-exam matters
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. The three main types are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Basal and squamous cell cancers are very treatable, and melanoma is highly curable when it is found early. The challenge is that early skin cancer rarely hurts. You have to see it.
Checking once a month is often enough to notice change without becoming anxious about every freckle. It also makes you the expert on your own skin, which is exactly what your dermatologist wants.
What you need
- A well-lit room, ideally with daylight
- A full-length mirror and a hand mirror
- A hair dryer or comb for checking your scalp
- A phone for photos
- A partner, if you have one, for your back and scalp
Step-by-step: how to check your skin
- Face and neck. Look at your nose, lips, ears (front and back) and neck. Use the hand mirror for the back of your neck.
- Scalp. Part your hair in sections with a comb or hair dryer. Ask a partner to help, or check during a haircut.
- Hands and arms. Check your palms, the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your nails. Raise your arms to see your underarms and the backs of your upper arms.
- Chest and torso. Look at your chest, belly and sides. Lift the breasts to check the skin underneath.
- Back and buttocks. Stand with your back to the full-length mirror and use the hand mirror to see your back, shoulders and buttocks.
- Legs and feet. Sit down and check the fronts and backs of your legs, the tops and soles of your feet, between your toes and under your toenails.
- Genital area. Use the hand mirror. Skin cancer can appear in areas that never see the sun.
What to look for: the ABCDEs of melanoma
Dermatologists use the ABCDE rule to describe moles that deserve a closer look. You can read more about moles and melanoma on our site.
- A is for asymmetry. One half does not match the other.
- B is for border. The edges are ragged, blurred or notched.
- C is for color. Several colors or uneven shades of brown, black, red, white or blue.
- D is for diameter. Larger than about 6 millimeters, the size of a pencil eraser, though melanomas can be smaller.
- E is for evolving. Any change in size, shape, color, height or symptoms such as itching or bleeding.
Evolving is the most important one. A spot that is changing needs to be seen, even if it looks otherwise ordinary.
The ugly duckling sign
Most of your moles tend to look alike. A mole that looks different from the rest, darker, lighter, larger or a different shape, is called an ugly duckling. It is worth showing to a dermatologist.
Other warning signs besides moles
Basal and squamous cell cancers often do not look like moles at all. Watch for:
- A pearly or shiny bump, sometimes with small visible blood vessels
- A pink or red scaly patch that does not go away
- A sore that bleeds, crusts and does not heal within a few weeks
- A firm, growing bump, sometimes tender
- A rough, sandpapery spot that keeps coming back, which may be an actinic keratosis, a common precancer
You can learn more about these on our basal and squamous cell carcinoma page.
Use photos to track changes
Memory is not reliable for small changes. Take clear photos of your back, chest, legs and any moles you are watching, with a ruler or coin next to a spot for scale. Keep them in a dedicated album and compare each month. If you have many moles or a history of melanoma, ask us about mole mapping, which uses professional photography to track changes over time.
Who should see a dermatologist more often
A self-exam is a great habit for everyone, but some people should also have regular professional skin checks:
- People with a personal or family history of skin cancer
- People with many moles or unusual moles
- People with fair skin, light eyes or a history of blistering sunburns
- People who have used tanning beds
- People who spend a lot of time outdoors, including in sunny places like Florida and Colorado
- People with a weakened immune system
Darker skin tones can get skin cancer too, often on the palms, soles, nails and inside the mouth, and it is sometimes found later. Check those areas carefully.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I check my skin?
Once a month is the usual advice. Pick an easy date to remember, like the first of the month.
What if I find something that worries me?
Take a photo and book a visit. Do not wait for your next routine check if a spot is new, changing, bleeding or not healing.
Can a self-exam replace a dermatologist skin check?
No. A dermatologist can see spots you cannot, uses tools like a dermatoscope, and knows which spots need a biopsy. Self-exams and professional checks work best together.
How often should I have a professional skin check?
Many adults benefit from a yearly check. People at higher risk may need to be seen every three to six months. Your dermatologist will recommend a schedule.
Does insurance cover a skin check?
Many plans cover skin exams, but coverage varies. Our insurance page lists the plans we accept at each office.
Book a skin check
If it has been more than a year since your last skin check, or you found a spot that concerns you, we can help. We see patients in Palm Beach Gardens, Downtown Brooklyn, the Upper East Side, Greenvale, Chicago and Boulder. Book a visit online or call the office nearest you.