Why an Annual Skin Check Matter
One of the most common questions I get from patients is, "Do I really need to have my skin checked every year?"
My answer is yes.
An annual skin check is one of those things that can be easy to put off, especially if you haven't noticed anything concerning on your skin. You may think, "I don't have any weird moles, so why do I need an appointment?" But that is exactly why I think these exams are valuable.
Most of the time, everything looks completely fine. Reassuring a patient that there is nothing concerning is a perfectly good outcome of a skin check.
What to expect:
When I perform a full-body skin exam, I'm not just looking for skin cancer. I'm looking at your skin as a whole and getting familiar with what is normal for you. I'm looking for new or changing moles, spots that look different from the others, areas of sun damage, and anything else that deserves a closer look.
The exam itself is straightforward. You'll change into a gown, and I'll examine your skin head to toe, including the areas you can't easily see yourself. Nothing about it is invasive. If I do see something I want a better look at, I'll tell you what I'm seeing and what I'd recommend before we do anything.
Occasionally, I find something that a patient hadn't noticed or didn't realize was worth having evaluated. That's where these exams can really make a difference.
Skin cancers, particularly melanoma, don't always announce themselves. A concerning spot may be small, subtle, or completely asymptomatic. It doesn't necessarily hurt, itch, or bleed. Sometimes it simply looks different from the other spots on your skin.
That's why you should not wait until something looks obviously concerning before having it checked.
Early detection matters. When we identify a skin cancer early, treatment is often much simpler. In my experience, there is also a lot of value in having a baseline exam and knowing what your skin looks like at a particular point in time. When I see you again in the future, I can look for changes that may be difficult for you to recognize on your own.
Annual skin checks are particularly important for those of us living in Charleston. We spend a lot of time outside — at the beach, on the boat, playing golf or tennis, gardening, or just enjoying the Lowcountry. All of that cumulative sun exposure adds up over the years, even if you are generally good about wearing sunscreen.
And while I recommend an annual professional skin exam, I also encourage patients to pay attention to their skin between visits. If you notice a new spot, a mole that is changing, or something that simply looks different or doesn't seem right, you don't need to wait until your next annual appointment. Have it checked.
Ultimately, I don't want patients to think of a skin check as something to be anxious about. I think of it as preventative care. Most of the time, we're going to tell you everything looks good. And occasionally, we're going to catch something early that really matters.
That's why I recommend an annual skin check.
If it's been a year since your last skin exam, or if you've never had a full-body skin check, I'd encourage you to schedule one. Call us at (843) 881-0320 or use the link below.
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