Mole Checks After Summer: Why September Is Critical for Screening

Summer brings longer days, vacations, beach trips, outdoor activities, and more time in the sun. While enjoying the outdoors is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, months of increased ultraviolet (UV) exposure can also leave behind changes that deserve a closer look.

September is an excellent time to schedule a professional mole check. After a summer of increased sun exposure, patients may notice new spots, changes in existing moles, or other skin lesions that were not apparent earlier in the year. A post-summer skin examination provides an opportunity to evaluate these changes and establish a baseline for ongoing skin monitoring.

At MDCS Dermatology, comprehensive skin examinations help identify suspicious moles and other lesions early, when skin cancer is generally more treatable.

Why September Is an Ideal Time for a Mole Check

There is nothing medically magical about September itself, and patients should not wait until September if they notice a concerning change. However, the beginning of fall is a practical reminder to have your skin evaluated after months of increased outdoor exposure.

By September, you may have accumulated:

• More UV exposure than during other seasons
• One or more sunburns
• Increased tanning or pigmentation
• New freckles or pigmented spots
• Changes in existing moles
• Skin irritation or lesions that have persisted

A professional examination can help distinguish harmless changes from spots that require closer monitoring or further evaluation.

Can Sun Exposure Change Your Moles?

Sun exposure can contribute to changes in the skin and is an important risk factor for skin cancer. UV radiation can damage DNA in skin cells, and cumulative exposure over time contributes to skin cancer risk.

A mole that changes after summer does not automatically mean it is cancerous. However, a new or changing mole should not simply be dismissed as a result of sun exposure.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends paying attention to moles or pigmented spots that are new, different from other spots, or changing in size, shape, or color.

What Is the ABCDE Rule?

One of the easiest ways to remember potential warning signs of melanoma is the ABCDE method.

A — Asymmetry

One half of a mole does not look like the other half.

B — Border

The edges may appear irregular, scalloped, jagged, blurred, or poorly defined.

C — Color

A mole may contain multiple colors or uneven pigmentation, including different shades of brown, black, red, white, or blue.

D — Diameter

Melanomas are often larger than 6 millimeters when diagnosed, although they can be smaller.

E — Evolving

A mole that changes in size, shape, color, or appearance deserves attention.

Importantly, not every melanoma follows a textbook ABCDE pattern. A spot that simply looks different from your other moles—sometimes called the "ugly duckling" sign—may also warrant evaluation.

Why a Professional Mole Check Matters

Checking your skin at home is valuable, but it does not replace a professional skin examination.

During a dermatology visit, the skin can be evaluated systematically from head to toe. Dermatologists can examine areas that are difficult to see yourself, including:

• The scalp
• Back
• Buttocks
• Behind the ears
• Between the toes
• Soles of the feet
• Other hard-to-see areas

At MDCS Dermatology, dermatologists perform thorough full-body examinations and evaluate moles using clinical assessment and, when appropriate, additional diagnostic tools.

Meet Brendan Camp, MD

Brendan Camp, MD is double board-certified in dermatology and dermatopathology. His expertise includes evaluating moles, skin growths, and skin cancer, making him an appropriate choice for patients concerned about changing or suspicious lesions.

His dermatopathology background is particularly relevant when a suspicious lesion requires additional evaluation because dermatopathology focuses on diagnosing skin conditions through microscopic examination of tissue.

Who Should Be Especially Vigilant About Mole Checks?

Everyone can develop skin cancer, regardless of age or skin tone. However, some patients have a higher risk and may benefit from more frequent professional skin examinations.

Risk factors can include:

• A personal history of skin cancer
• A family history of melanoma
• Numerous moles
• Atypical or unusual-looking moles
• Significant cumulative sun exposure
• A history of blistering sunburns
• Indoor tanning
• Certain genetic risk factors

Your dermatologist can recommend an appropriate screening schedule based on your individual risk factors.

What Happens During a Mole Check?

A skin examination is generally straightforward and non-invasive.

Your dermatologist may:

1. Review your personal and family skin cancer history.
2. Ask about any new or changing spots.
3. Examine the skin from head to toe.
4. Closely evaluate suspicious or unusual lesions.
5. Recommend photography or monitoring when appropriate.
6. Recommend a biopsy if a lesion requires further diagnosis.

A biopsy does not necessarily mean that a lesion is cancerous. It is a diagnostic procedure used to determine exactly what a suspicious growth represents.

What If a Mole Looks Different After Summer?

Do not panic—but do not ignore it.

Make an appointment if you notice a mole that:

• Has recently changed
• Is growing
• Has developed irregular borders
• Has multiple or unusual colors
• Bleeds without an obvious cause
• Itches persistently
• Looks noticeably different from your other moles

The AAD recommends seeing a board-certified dermatologist when a spot is changing, itching, or bleeding.

September Is Also a Good Time for a Skin-Care Reset

A post-summer skin examination can be part of a broader fall skin-health routine.

After months of sun exposure, your dermatologist can also help address:

• Sunspots
• Uneven pigmentation
• Precancerous growths
• Dry or irritated skin
• Acne or folliculitis
• Signs of photoaging

This makes fall an excellent time to review your skincare routine and establish goals for the months ahead.

Don't Wait for a Mole to Become Obvious

One of the most important things to understand about melanoma and other skin cancers is that early changes can be subtle. A lesion does not have to be large, painful, or dramatic to deserve evaluation.

Regular self-exams can help you recognize what is normal for your skin, while professional examinations provide another level of evaluation.

The AAD notes that regularly checking your skin can help identify skin cancer earlier, when it is more treatable.

How to Protect Your Skin After Summer

A September skin check should not mark the end of your sun-protection routine.

Continue to:

• Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher
• Reapply sunscreen when outdoors
• Seek shade when possible
• Wear protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat
• Avoid tanning beds
• Perform regular skin self-exams

Sun protection is important throughout the year—not just during summer.

When Should You Schedule Your Mole Check?

If you have noticed a new or changing mole, schedule an evaluation as soon as possible rather than waiting for a particular month.

For patients without concerning changes, September can serve as a helpful annual reminder to review their skin after the summer season and stay consistent with preventive dermatologic care.

At MDCS Dermatology, comprehensive mole checks and skin examinations are available to help identify suspicious changes and support long-term skin health.

To schedule an appointment with a dermatologist, visit Book Online.