To check your own moles, look over your whole body about once a month in bright light, from your scalp to the soles of your feet, using a full-length mirror and a hand mirror. As you go, compare each mole with the ABCDE warning signs and look for any spot that stands out from the rest. Dated photos and a simple body map make changes easier to see. If a spot is new, changing, itching or bleeding, have a dermatologist check it.
Most moles are harmless. A self-exam is not about worrying over every spot. It is about knowing your skin well enough to notice when something changes.
Why a monthly routine makes change easier to spot
Change is one of the most important warning signs for skin cancer. It is the "E" in the ABCDEs. But you can only spot change if you know what your skin looked like before.
Cleveland Clinic suggests checking your skin about once a month. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends checking regularly and asking your dermatologist how often is right for you. A monthly routine is easy to remember and gives you a regular point of comparison.
A self-exam does not replace a skin exam by a dermatologist. It works alongside one. Our skin cancer screening guide explains what a professional screening involves and who should consider one.
What you need
Gather these before you start:
- Good light. Daylight or a brightly lit bathroom works well.
- A full-length mirror and a hand mirror. Together they let you see your back, scalp and other hard-to-see areas.
- A phone camera. For photos you can compare month to month.
- A body map. The AAD offers a free printable body mole map on its website, or you can sketch a simple front-and-back outline.
- A small ruler. To measure spots you want to watch.
- A comb or hair dryer. To part your hair and see your scalp.
- A partner, if you like. A spouse, family member or friend can check your back and scalp.
Many people find it easiest to do the check right after a bath or shower.
Step-by-step head-to-toe self-check
Work in the same order each month so you don't skip anything.
- Face and head. Check your face, nose, lips and the inside of your mouth. Look at the front and back of your ears.
- Scalp. Part your hair in sections and use the hand mirror, or ask a partner to look. A barber or hairdresser can also tell you if they notice a spot.
- Front of your body. Stand facing the full-length mirror. Check your neck, chest and belly. If you have breasts, lift them to check the skin underneath.
- Sides. Raise your arms and look at both sides of your body and your underarms.
- Arms and hands. Bend your elbows to see your forearms and upper arms. Check your palms, the backs of your hands, between your fingers and your fingernails.
- Back. Turn your back to the full-length mirror and hold the hand mirror in front of you. Check the back of your neck, your shoulders, your back and your buttocks.
- Legs and groin. Check the fronts and backs of your legs. Use the hand mirror for your groin and genital area.
- Feet. Sit down. Check the tops of your feet, your soles, between your toes and your toenails.
Don't skip palms, soles and nails. Melanoma can appear on skin that rarely sees the sun. The AAD notes that in people of African descent, melanoma tends to appear on the palms, soles, or under or around a nail. A new or changing dark streak under a nail is worth having checked.
Applying the ABCDEs and the "ugly duckling" sign as you go
The AAD uses the ABCDEs to describe warning signs of melanoma:
- A is for Asymmetry. One half of the spot does not match the other half.
- B is for Border. The edge is irregular, scalloped or blurry.
- C is for Color. The spot has more than one shade, such as tan, brown or black, or areas of white, red or blue.
- D is for Diameter. Melanomas are usually larger than 6 millimeters, about the size of a pencil eraser. They can be smaller, so size alone does not rule one out.
- E is for Evolving. The spot is changing in size, shape or color. Also note a spot that changes in height or starts to itch, bleed or crust.
Also look for the "ugly duckling" sign: a mole that looks different from your other moles. If most of your moles look alike and one stands out, it is worth showing to a dermatologist.
Having one of these signs does not mean a spot is cancer. It means the spot deserves a professional look.
Photographing a mole so you can compare it month to month
Photos are more reliable than memory. A few tips:
- Start with overview photos. Take one set of full-body photos (front, back and both sides) as your baseline.
- Add close-ups of spots you are watching. Place a ruler next to the mole so you can see its size.
- Keep conditions the same. Use the same light, distance and angle each time.
- Label each photo. Note the date and where the spot is on your body. Number the spot on your body map to match.
- Keep photos together. A dedicated album, or a private folder for sensitive areas, makes comparing easy.
- Compare side by side. Each month, look at the new photo next to the last one, not just next to what you remember.
What to bring to your dermatologist
If something catches your eye, bring your records to the visit:
- Dated photos of the spot, including the earliest one you have.
- Your body map and notes: when you first noticed the spot, what changed and any symptoms.
- Your personal or family history of skin cancer, and any history of blistering sunburns or indoor tanning.
- A short list of questions.
For a sense of how an appointment works, see what to expect at your visit.
When a self-check means it's time to book a dermatologist visit
Book a visit if you notice:
- A new mole or spot, especially one that appears after age 30. The AAD advises having a dermatologist examine any new mole that develops after age 30 for signs of melanoma.
- Any of the ABCDE signs, especially a spot that is changing.
- An "ugly duckling" mole that looks different from the rest.
- A mole that itches, bleeds, crusts, oozes or hurts.
- A sore that does not heal, or that heals and then comes back.
- A new or changing dark streak under a fingernail or toenail.
- Any spot that just looks "off" to you.
Do not try to shave off or remove a mole at home. A dermatologist can examine it and decide whether it needs a closer look.
Bay Ridge Dermatology offers full-body skin exams and skin cancer screenings as part of its medical dermatology care.
For Brooklyn readers
Bay Ridge Dermatology is at 515 84th Street, 1st Floor, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NY 11209. If your monthly check turns up something you want looked at, or you would like a full-body skin exam, you can book online or call (347) 497-4984.
This article is general information, not medical advice. For advice about your own skin, see a dermatologist.