How to Do a Skin Care Self-Exam

Your skin is your body’s first line of defense; it talks to you all the time, and a skincare self-exam is a simple, proactive way to listen. Within a few minutes each month, you can spot minor issues and changes to your skin that may signal irritation or something more serious, like skin cancer. You don’t have to be a doctor to perform a simple self-examination on your skin. All you need to do is know your own skin well enough to catch what doesn’t belong.

In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about skincare self-examination, how to go about it, and what to look for. It’s an easy step, and we're here to guide you through the entire process.

Why You Should Check Your Skin?

Checking your skin is a habit you have to do consistently for so many reasons. Some of these reasons include:

Early skin cancer detection: Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the world, and the worst part is that the simplest symptoms are often ignored, which are its major causes. Catching it early when it’s just a small, unusual spot will increase your chances of successful treatment. Regular self-checks help you spot changes like new moles, asymmetry, irregular borders, or color shifts that could signal trouble.
Monitor Existing Conditions: If you have skin issues like eczema, psoriasis, or acne, keeping an eye on your skin helps you notice flare-ups or worsening symptoms. This can make you take quicker actions like adjusting your skincare routine or visiting a doctor.
Sun Damage Awareness: Exposing your skin to the sun over time causes freckles, age spots, or rough patches. Skincare self-examination helps you track these changes to your body.

How to Do a Skin Self-Exam at Home

Doing a skin self-examination at home is straightforward and can help you stay on top of any changes. Here’s your step-by-step guide to make it thorough and effective:

What you’ll need

A full-length mirror
A handheld mirror (for hard-to-see areas)
Good lighting (natural or bright artificial light)
A comb or hairdryer (to check your scalp)
A pen and paper (optional, to note anything unusual)

Steps to follow

1. Start with a Plan: Examine your skin in a consistent order so you don’t miss anything; head-to-toe works well. Do this once a month, ideally after a shower when your skin is clean, and you’re already undressed.

2. Face and Head:

Check your face, ears, and neck in the full-length mirror. Look at the front, sides, and behind your ears.
Use the comb or hair dryer to part your hair and inspect your scalp. If you’re bald, just scan the whole area.

3. Upper Body:

Raise your arms and examine your chest, stomach, and sides. Don’t skip under your breasts if applicable (lift them and check underneath carefully).
Look at your arms from all angles—front, back, and sides—including your underarms. Bend your elbows to check your creases too.

4. Hands:

Check both sides of your hands, between your fingers, and around your nails. Check those small spots and every other thing you notice on your hand.

5. Lower Body:

Sit down to inspect the front, back, and sides of your legs. Use the handheld mirror for the backs of your thighs.
Look at your feet carefully—tops, soles, between toes, and under nails. These areas are often overlooked.

6. Back and Buttocks:

Stand with your back to the full-length mirror and use the handheld one to scan your upper and lower back.
Check your buttocks and the back of your neck. Twist and angle the mirror as needed.

7. Genital Area:

Use the handheld mirror to examine your pubic area and genitals. It’s rare, but changes can happen here too.

What to Look For (The ABCDE Rule)

Asymmetry: Draw an imaginary line to check if one half of a mole or spot doesn’t match the other.
Border: Look at the edges of the spot. Are the edges irregular, jagged, or blurry? If they are, it might suggest something is off.
Color: Normal moles are usually one consistent color, often a shade of brown. Other colours or uneven shades can hint at abnormal cell growth.
Diameter: Size matters here. If a spot is bigger than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser), it’s more likely to need checking. However, smaller spots can still be concerning.
Evolving: If a mole or spot starts growing, shifting shape, changing color, or showing new symptoms (like itching, bleeding, or crusting), that means it is evolving. Healthy spots tend to stay stable over time, so any noticeable shift could mean it is time to get it looked at.

Tracking Your Skin Changes

Here is how to track skin changes every month:

1. Set a Routine:

Pick a consistent time, like the first of every month, to do your self-exam. Regularity makes it easier to compare changes.

2. Take Photos:

Use your phone or a camera to snap clear, well-lit pictures of any moles, spots, or areas you are keeping an eye on.
Get close-ups and wider shots for context (e.g., a mole on your arm with your elbow visible for scale).
Label them with dates and locations (e.g., “Left forearm, March 18, 2025”).

3. Use a Notebook or App:

Jot down details: size (measure with a ruler if you can), color, shape, and any symptoms (itchy, tender, etc.).
Digital options like a notes app or even a health-tracking app can store this with your photos for easy access.

4. Body Map Method:

Sketch a simple outline of your body on paper or use a pre-made body map template online. Mark where each spot is and update it with notes over time.
This is great for tracking multiple areas at once, like that freckle on your back or the mark on your shin.

5. Compare Over Time:

Look back at old photos or notes. Has the spot gotten bigger? Changed color? Started bleeding? Even small shifts could matter.

When to See a Doctor

If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, then you need to see the doctor:

A sore on your skin that refuses to heal up, lingering longer than expected.
A spot or mole shifts in appearance; maybe its size, shape, color, or even how it feels changes.
A mole or mark that stands out as different from the rest.
New or strange patches, sores, or marks show up on your skin that weren’t there before.

Conclusion

Performing a skin care self-exam is a simple yet powerful way to take charge of your health. This small habit can make a big difference, offer peace of mind, and prompt timely action that could save your life and prevent major issues like skin cancer.