The 3rd to 9th May marks Sun Awareness Week. While everything feels much better when the sun is out, it is important to protect the skin from its harmful UV rays.
Melanoma is a common cancer that is increasing in incidence, and a real concern for those who frequently expose their skin to the sun.
One of the best ways to protect yourself is to look out for any changes in the skin. Changes in your moles can be an indicator that something is wrong. Doing a self-skin check is really important. If after doing this you are concerned about anything, getting your moles checked by an expert is a sensible idea.
What happens when you have moles checked?
If you do decide to have a mole check, you may be wondering what to expect. Typically, a full skin check is carried out and this takes a few minutes to complete. You will need to remove your clothing so that the dermatologist can clearly see all of the moles present.
You may need to remove makeup, and it is important to also remove any nail varnish you have on. Fake tan should also be avoided as this could obviously make it difficult to spot the moles.
Mole checks are a simple and pain-free procedure which allows you to get a comprehensive look at the moles on your body. Sometimes photographs of specific moles will be taken for monitoring. Monitoring them over time will help you to identify any changes quickly.
Keeping the skin protected
Getting your moles checked by a professional is important and can potentially help to catch skin cancer early.
However, don’t forget there are things you can do to keep the skin protected. Wear protective clothing, protect your eyes, seek shade and wear adequate sunscreen reapplying regularly. SPF with a minimum SPF 30 with both UVA and UVB protection provides the best line of defence for the skin against the sun when used alongside other protective measures. For those with acne prone skin conditions, look for sunscreens with oil-free SPF formulations that contain additional antioxidants and DNA repair enzymes.
Book a mole check consultation today with Dr Kara Heelan, at Chelsea Outpatient Centre or Sydney Street Outpatients & Diagnostic Centre call us on 020 3494 4024.
