Sunscreen and when to get a mole checked

Teach: Sunscreen and when to get a mole checked

What to say

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher on all exposed skin, ears and neck included, and reapply every two hours or after sweating or swimming. Once a month, check your skin with a mirror for moles that are uneven, ragged, multicolored, larger than a pencil eraser or changing, and show any of those to a doctor.

What to show, in order

1. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher, 15 minutes before going out, using about a shot glass worth for the whole body.
2. Cover the spots men miss: ears, the back of the neck, the scalp where hair is thin, and the backs of hands.
3. Reapply every two hours, and after swimming or heavy sweating.
4. Wear a hat and sunglasses and seek shade in the middle of the day.
5. Once a month, check your whole body in a full mirror, with a hand mirror or a partner for your back.
6. Look for the warning signs: asymmetry, ragged borders, several colors, bigger than a pencil eraser, or any change.
7. Photograph moles you want to watch so you can compare.

When to stop and call a professional

• A mole or spot changes in size, shape or color, bleeds, itches or will not heal: see a doctor or a skin specialist.
• Severe sunburn with blistering over a large area, fever or chills: get medical care.
• This page explains what to watch for; it cannot tell you what is wrong. Only a clinician who examines you can.

The check question

Ask: How often should you reapply sunscreen outdoors? Answer: Every two hours and after sweating or swimming

From EveryManKnows. General information, not professional advice.