Skin Health Checkup: 10 Things Your PA Can Look for During an Exam

A routine skin health checkup is about more than looking for suspicious moles. A comprehensive dermatology exam gives you an opportunity to have your skin evaluated from head to toe while addressing concerns such as sun damage, changing growths, acne, rashes, pigmentation, and other skin conditions.

Some skin changes are easy to recognize, while others can be subtle or occur in places that are difficult to examine yourself. A trained dermatology professional can evaluate these changes and determine when monitoring, treatment, or additional testing may be appropriate.

At MDCS Dermatology, comprehensive skin examinations can include evaluation of moles, growths, sun damage, and other dermatologic concerns. Full-body examinations may include areas that are easy to overlook, such as the scalp, behind the ears, between the toes, and the soles of the feet.

Why Schedule a Skin Health Checkup?

Skin changes can happen gradually, and you may not notice them until they become more obvious. Regular professional examinations can establish a baseline for your skin and make it easier to identify changes over time.

A skin check can be particularly important if you have:

• A personal history of skin cancer

• A family history of skin cancer

• Numerous or atypical moles

• Significant sun exposure

• A history of blistering sunburns

• A history of tanning bed use

• New or changing skin lesions

However, you do not necessarily need to have a known risk factor to benefit from a professional skin examination. Skin cancer and other dermatologic conditions can occur in people without an obvious history of risk.

10 Things Your PA Can Look for During a Skin Exam

1. New or Changing Moles

One of the primary goals of a skin examination is identifying moles that look different from the patient's other lesions or have changed over time.

Your PA may evaluate a mole's:

• Shape

• Size

• Color

• Border

• Symmetry

• Surface

• Evolution over time

The ABCDE approach—Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, and Evolving—is commonly used when assessing lesions for concerning features.

A mole that is changing does not automatically mean cancer, but it should be evaluated rather than ignored.

2. Signs of Skin Cancer

A comprehensive examination can help identify suspicious lesions that may require closer evaluation.

Common types of skin cancer include:

• Basal cell carcinoma

• Squamous cell carcinoma

• Melanoma

Early detection is particularly important because skin cancers are generally more treatable when identified at an earlier stage.

Your PA may recommend monitoring, photography, dermoscopy, biopsy, or referral for additional treatment depending on what is found.

3. Precancerous Skin Changes

A skin exam can also identify actinic keratoses, which are rough or scaly lesions associated with cumulative sun exposure.

These spots commonly appear on areas that receive significant UV exposure, such as:

• Face

• Scalp

• Ears

• Forearms

• Hands

• Neck

Identifying and treating precancerous lesions can be an important part of long-term skin cancer prevention. MDCS Dermatology offers skin cancer prevention services, including evaluation and treatment of sun-damaged skin.

4. Sun Damage

A skin health checkup can reveal more than cancerous or precancerous lesions.

Your PA can evaluate signs of cumulative sun damage, including:

• Uneven pigmentation

• Sunspots

• Rough texture

• Fine lines

• Visible blood vessels

• Changes in skin quality

A professional evaluation can also provide an opportunity to discuss practical sun-protection strategies tailored to your lifestyle.

5. Suspicious Growths

Not every skin growth is a mole.

A bump may represent a:

• Skin tag

• Seborrheic keratosis

• Cyst

• Wart

• Benign growth

• Suspicious lesion

If you have a new or unfamiliar growth, having it evaluated can help determine exactly what it is and whether treatment is necessary.

6. Acne and Acne Scarring

A skin check does not have to be limited to skin cancer screening.

Your PA can also evaluate active acne, clogged pores, inflammatory lesions, and residual acne marks or scars.

Depending on the severity and type of acne, your treatment plan may include:

• Prescription medications

• Medical-grade skincare

• Chemical peels

• In-office procedures

• Acne scar treatments

A routine exam can be a useful opportunity to discuss concerns you may otherwise overlook.

7. Rashes and Inflammatory Skin Conditions

Persistent redness, itching, scaling, or irritation may indicate an inflammatory skin condition.

Your PA may evaluate symptoms associated with conditions such as:

• Eczema

• Psoriasis

• Rosacea

• Contact dermatitis

• Seborrheic dermatitis

Because different skin conditions can appear similar, an examination can help determine whether your symptoms require prescription treatment, lifestyle changes, or additional testing.

8. Changes in Pigmentation

Dark or light patches can have many causes.

During an examination, your PA may evaluate pigmentation changes associated with:

• Sun exposure

• Melasma

• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

• Previous acne or injury

• Certain medications

• Other dermatologic conditions

Understanding why pigmentation developed is an important first step toward choosing an appropriate treatment.

9. Scalp and Hair Concerns

Your scalp is part of your skin, but it is easy to overlook during a self-examination.

A dermatology visit may identify:

• Suspicious scalp lesions

• Excessive scaling

• Inflammation

• Folliculitis

• Hair thinning

• Other scalp conditions

This is particularly important for people with significant hair loss or individuals who have difficulty examining their scalp themselves.

10. Areas You May Not Think to Check

One of the biggest advantages of a professional skin examination is that it includes areas you may not regularly inspect.

Depending on your exam, your PA may look at:

• Behind the ears

• Scalp

• Back

• Buttocks

• Between the toes

• Soles of the feet

• Nails and nail beds

• Skin folds

Skin cancer and other lesions can develop in areas that receive little or no direct sunlight, so a comprehensive examination should not focus only on the face and arms.

Meet Victoria Lynn Palazzolo, MS, PA-C

Victoria Lynn Palazzolo, MS, PA-C provides dermatologic care at MDCS Dermatology, including personalized skin health and sun-protection guidance.

Her approach to skin health includes helping patients understand how their individual lifestyle, sun exposure, and skin characteristics affect long-term skin health. MDCS Dermatology has also highlighted her work providing full-body skin exams, sun-damage prevention strategies, sunscreen recommendations, and education about early signs of skin cancer.

What Happens During a Skin Health Checkup?

A skin examination is generally straightforward and non-invasive.

Your visit may include:

A Review of Your Skin History

You may be asked about:

• Previous skin cancers

• Family history

• Sun exposure

• Tanning bed use

• Previous biopsies

• New or changing lesions

• Current skin concerns

A Head-to-Toe Examination

Your skin is examined systematically rather than focusing only on areas you have noticed.

Dermoscopic Evaluation

If a mole or lesion requires a closer look, dermoscopy may provide additional visual information that is not visible to the naked eye. MDCS Dermatology uses dermoscopic evaluation as part of its skin cancer screening and mole-monitoring services.

Monitoring or Biopsy When Appropriate

If a lesion looks suspicious, your PA or dermatologist may recommend additional evaluation. A biopsy involves removing a small sample of tissue so it can be examined under a microscope.

Do You Need a Skin Check Every Year?

There is no single screening schedule that applies to every person.

Patients with a personal or family history of skin cancer, numerous moles, atypical moles, or other risk factors may need more frequent examinations. MDCS Dermatology recommends regular professional screening, particularly for higher-risk individuals.

Your dermatology team can recommend an examination schedule based on your individual risk factors.

What Should You Do Between Appointments?

Professional examinations are important, but they should not replace paying attention to your own skin.

Consider performing regular self-checks and watching for:

• New moles

• Changing moles

• Spots that bleed

• Lesions that do not heal

• Rapidly growing growths

• Persistent itching or crusting

• Changes in color or shape

If something looks different from the rest of your skin or continues to change, schedule an evaluation.

Protecting Your Skin After Your Checkup

A skin examination is only one part of maintaining long-term skin health.

Daily sun protection remains important.

Consider:

• Using broad-spectrum sunscreen

• Reapplying sunscreen when outdoors

• Wearing protective clothing

• Using a wide-brimmed hat

• Seeking shade during peak UV hours

• Avoiding tanning beds

MDCS Dermatology emphasizes personalized sun-protection strategies, including sunscreen, protective clothing, and lifestyle adjustments.

When Should You Schedule an Exam?

Don't wait for your next routine appointment if you notice a concerning change.

Schedule an evaluation if you develop:

• A new or rapidly changing mole

• A growth that bleeds

• A spot that repeatedly crusts

• A lesion that does not heal

• A rapidly enlarging growth

• Persistent unexplained itching or irritation

• A new or unusual pigmented lesion

Prompt evaluation does not necessarily mean that a lesion is cancerous. It simply allows a trained professional to determine what is happening and whether further evaluation is needed.

Make Skin Health Part of Your Preventive Care

A skin health checkup can provide much more than reassurance. It can identify suspicious lesions, document existing moles, recognize sun damage, evaluate inflammatory skin conditions, and give you personalized guidance for protecting your skin.

At MDCS Dermatology, comprehensive dermatologic evaluations are designed to support early detection, prevention, and long-term skin health.

To schedule an appointment with Victoria Lynn Palazzolo, MS, PA-C or another member of the MDCS Dermatology team, Book Online.