Your summer checklist – how to perform a skin check

We’re getting close to the holidays, which means we’re also gearing up for another hot New Zealand summer. With the Kiwi sun being harsh on skin, it’s a great time to remind yourself and others to stay safe in the sun and perform regular skin checks to spot signs of change.

Sunscreen is a great place to start, but even with continued sunscreen use, regular exposure to the sun’s rays can still cause changes to the condition of your skin.

Not only can too much sun affect your skin cosmetically, over 90% of skin cancer in New Zealand is caused by too much exposure to UV rays from the sun.

Anyone can get skin cancer, so here are some risks and signs that you should be aware of and can share with your friends, family and clients:

The risk factors:

• If you have had skin cancer before
• If family/whānau members have had skin cancer
• Having a skin type that sunburns easily
• If you have red, blonde or light-coloured hair
• Having many moles or larger moles
• If you use sunbeds/tanning beds (solariums)
• Or if you spend a lot of time in the sun unprotected

Knowing the signs:

Here are some things that you should be looking out for:

• a crusty sore that is not healing
• small lumps that are red, pale or pearly in colour
• new or existing spots or moles changing in colour, thickness or shape
• a dry, scaly area that is shiny and pale or bright pink in colour

These symptoms do not mean you have skin cancer, but it is important you get any changes checked by a doctor to make sure.

How to perform a comprehensive check:

Early detection is your skin’s best chance against skin cancer, so it’s important that you check your body regularly to look for any changes to the skin. Remember to check the places that don’t regularly get exposed to the sun, like:

• the armpits
• behind the ears
• the scalp
• the bottom of your feet
• fingernails and toenails

If you don’t have someone who can help you check the awkward places, try using a hand mirror or having a professional at MoleMap take a look. Their skin-mapping system is designed to look deep inside a mole’s structure to detect potential skin cancers that are difficult for the untrained eye to detect.

Skin cancer can become a significant illness if not detected early. Having health insurance gives your clients priority access to diagnostics, specialists and treatment, giving peace of mind in the event the unforeseen does happen. With summer here, it’s a good time to bring it up with them.