Key Takeaways
- November is National Healthy Skin Month, a yearly campaign that began in 1997 to encourage healthy skin habits.
- An annual skin check lets a dermatologist look over your skin from head to toe, and the exam is usually brief and painless.
- A yearly professional skin exam is widely recommended, and people at higher risk may need visits more often.
- Skin cancer early detection matters because cancer found before it spreads usually needs less treatment and carries a better chance of survival.
- Monthly self-exams help you notice changes between visits, but they do not replace a professional skin check.
- Peach Dermatology offers skin cancer screenings in Suwanee, GA and serves patients in Duluth, Sugar Hill, Buford, and Johns Creek, so request your skin check appointment today.
What National Healthy Skin Month Is and Why the AAD Created It
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) names every November National Healthy Skin Month. The first one took place in 1997. Since then, dermatologists have used the month to stress good skin care, share tips for healthier skin, hair, and nails, and encourage people to build healthy habits.
Sun protection is a big part of that message. Dermatologists recommend seeking shade, wearing sun-protective clothing, and using sunscreen that is broad-spectrum, water-resistant, and SPF 30 or higher. SPF stands for sun protection factor, a rating for how well a sunscreen blocks the ultraviolet (UV) rays that cause sunburn.
A professional skin check fits this month well. It adds an expert's eyes to your everyday habits.
What Happens During a Professional Skin Cancer Screening
A skin cancer screening is a simple exam. You will undress, usually keeping your undergarments on, and change into a gown that opens in the back. You then sit or lie on an exam table while the dermatologist looks closely at your skin.
The provider may use a dermatoscope, which is a small, lighted magnifying tool that gives a closer view of a spot. They pay extra attention to:
- Areas that get a lot of sun, such as the face, ears, neck, back, arms, tops of the hands, and backs of the legs.
- Hard-to-see places, such as the scalp, between the toes, and the soles of the feet.
- Any spots you noticed during your own self-exam.
Your comfort and privacy should be respected throughout. For example, the provider can uncover and examine one area at a time. If a spot looks suspicious, the dermatologist may do a biopsy, which means taking a small skin sample to be checked in a lab. Some pre-cancers, which are spots that could turn into cancer, can be treated during or right after the exam. You can learn more about what to expect during a skin cancer exam before your visit.
How long does it take? If you have never had atypical moles or skin cancer, the exam usually takes about 10 minutes. Skin checks are part of the care offered through general dermatology at Peach Dermatology in Suwanee, GA, where board-certified dermatologist Dr. Waqas Shaikh, MD, MPH provides care.
How to Prepare for Your Skin Check
A little planning helps your dermatologist see your skin clearly. Try these five easy steps to prepare for your exam:
- Do a self-exam first and write down any new or changing spots. Phone photos of a spot that has changed can help.
- Skip makeup so nothing covers unusual spots.
- Wear your hair loose so your scalp and ears are easy to see.
- Remove nail polish so your fingernails and toenails can be checked.
Who Should Prioritize Annual Skin Checks
Anyone can get skin cancer. There are no formal national guidelines for skin cancer screening, but seeing a dermatologist once a year is commonly recommended, or more often if you are at higher risk.
Common risk factors for skin cancer include:
- A personal or strong family history of skin cancer
- Light skin or freckles
- Naturally blond or red hair
- Lots of moles, including larger moles
- A history of severe, blistering sunburns
- A history of using tanning beds
- Spending a lot of time outdoors when you tend to sunburn
- A weakened immune system
If any of these apply to you, a yearly visit may be especially worthwhile. Your dermatologist can tell you how often you should come in. Peach Dermatology has also shared more on why annual skin cancer screenings should be part of your routine.
Why Early Detection Improves Treatment Outcomes
Skin cancer early detection can change how treatment goes. Skin cancer caught before it spreads usually needs less treatment and causes fewer side effects, and early detection means a better chance of survival. Finding it early also leads to the most minimal treatment with the highest chance of a cure.
It also helps to know the main types. Basal cell and squamous cell cancers are the most common, and they are usually very treatable. Melanoma is only about 1% of skin cancers, but it is more serious because it is more likely to grow and spread.
If a screening finds skin cancer, Peach Dermatology can help with treatment, including Mohs micrographic surgery. This staged procedure removes very thin layers of cancerous tissue and checks each layer under a microscope, so as much healthy skin as possible is kept.
How Self-Exams Complement, but Do Not Replace, Professional Skin Checks
Most experts agree that everyone should check their own skin regularly, and once a month is generally recommended. Learn the usual pattern of your moles, freckles, and blemishes, then schedule a skin check if you notice anything new.
Self-exams are helpful, but they have limits. You may miss spots on your back or scalp, and you cannot diagnose a spot on your own.
| Feature | Monthly Self-Exam | Professional Skin Check |
|---|---|---|
| Who does it | You, at home | A dermatologist or other trained healthcare professional |
| How often | About once a month | Often once a year, or more often if you have higher risk |
| Tools | Your eyes, a mirror, and phone photos | A dermatoscope and medical training |
| What it can do | Help you notice new or changing spots | Evaluate spots, perform a biopsy if needed, and diagnose |
| Best for | Catching changes between visits | Finding what you may miss, including hard-to-see areas |
Put a Skin Check on Your November Calendar
National Healthy Skin Month is a good reminder that skin health takes both daily habits and expert care. A yearly skin check, paired with monthly self-exams, gives you the best view of what is happening with your skin.
Ready to schedule your annual skin check? Request an appointment with Peach Dermatology to book a skin cancer screening through general dermatology. Peach Dermatology welcomes patients from Suwanee, Duluth, Sugar Hill, Buford, and Johns Creek.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I get a skin cancer screening?
A professional skin exam once a year is commonly recommended, or more often if you have a higher risk. Ask your dermatologist what schedule fits your history, since people with a past skin cancer or pre-cancers may need visits more often.
Does a professional skin check hurt?
No. A full-body skin exam is typically brief, painless, and non-invasive. If a biopsy is needed for a suspicious spot, your provider will explain the next steps.
Where can I find a dermatologist near me in Suwanee, GA for a skin check?
Peach Dermatology is at 335 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Suite 2210, Suwanee, GA 30024. Call (770) 676-2200 or request an appointment online to schedule a skin check.
Is there a dermatologist in Johns Creek, GA for skin cancer screening?
Peach Dermatology is located in Suwanee and serves patients from Johns Creek, along with Duluth, Sugar Hill, and Buford. Skin cancer screenings are offered as part of general dermatology care.
Can I skip my skin check if I do monthly self-exams?
No. Self-exams help you spot changes, but they do not replace a professional exam. A dermatologist is trained to evaluate spots and can examine areas you cannot easily see.
