January is the perfect time for a skin examination by a dermatologist.
Does this statement seem strange? Often we think about skin checks and skin cancer during summer tanning, but no, winter is the best time to check skin, said Dr. Chad Hartmann of US Dermatology Partners in Cedar Park.
Summer tan disappears, and in winter the skin brightens. This makes it easier to see the details of skin changes, he says.
“There are more differences,” he said.
“Make a skin check one of your New Year’s resolutions,” Hartmann suggested.
“We catch more”:How a random CT scan found lung cancer in an Austin man
When should you check your skin?
All adults should have an annual skin exam with a dermatologist, but you should also check your skin at home monthly. A good way to remember: “Birthday boy costume.” Check your skin every month on your birthday.
Better yet, have a partner check for you, Hartmann said. According to him, when partners check each other, they are 62% more likely to find something than when people try to check themselves with a mirror.

Don’t forget to check places you wouldn’t even think of, like between your toes, soles of your feet, palms, lower areas – all places that probably can’t see sunlight but skin cancer doesn’t require. form sun damage.
The good thing about skin cancer, Hartmann said, is that it has a high cure rate. In most cases, it can be removed by cutting without other treatment.
What do I look for when checking skin?
Think ABCDE.
- Asymmetry: Does the mole have an uneven shape?
- The border: Is the border of the mole uneven?
- Colour: Is the mole a different color or does it have darker parts?
- Diameter: Anything larger than a pencil eraser should be tested.
- Evolution: Has this mole changed in size, shape, color, border, or anything else?

I’m young; not skin cancer for the elderly?
“Skin cancer is not just a disease of the elderly,” said Hartmann.
It is the #1 cause of cancer in the US, and melanoma is the most common form of cancer in people aged 25 to 29. One in five people will develop skin cancer during their lifetime.
I am a colored person; I can’t have skin cancer, right?
Wrong. Although skin cancer is most common in fair-skinned people, it occurs in people of all hair colors and skin types. People with darker skin tend to be diagnosed later because they aren’t as knowledgeable, Hartmann says.
More:How this 10-year-old boy battled an aggressive form of medulloblastoma brain cancer
How can I prevent skin cancer?
Every day, even in winter, use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. You can use your SPF 15 moisturizer as a skin protector, but foundation is usually not good enough because people don’t apply thick enough to cover the skin properly.
On days when you’re going to be more exposed to your skin, switch to an SPF of 30 or higher.
Wear clothing to protect your skin. Many manufacturers make shirts, pants, dresses and more with built-in SPF.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat that covers your forehead, neck, and ears. The baseball cap doesn’t fit.
Try not to go outside when the sun is at its strongest, between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, and if you are outside during this time, look for shade.