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Summer is a great time to check the colorful spots on your skin

Summer is in full swing.  We are all hopefully enjoying a reprieve from a long and cold winter in Boston with beach time, outdoor activities, and fun. While most of us welcome these summer days, we at Skincare Physicians always remind our patients that summer is a great time to start checking all the spots on your body, be they brown, tan, blue, gray, yellow, pink, or red with a monthly self-skin examination. Performing a self-skin check is a great way to identify new or changing lesions that should be brought to the attention of your dermatologist.

Once a month, take a thorough look at all your skin following these few simple steps.  You will need a hand mirror, a full-length mirror and a blow dryer or comb.

1. Look at the front of your body in a full-length mirror. Make sure your raise your arms and exam your underarms.  Women should lift their breasts to examine the underside.
2. Carefully look at your palms, forearms, finger nails and in between your fingers.
3. Examine your legs, soles of feet, toenails, and in between your toes. Sit on the ground and use a hand mirror to take a good look at the back of your legs.
4. Use a hand mirror to exam your back and buttocks.
5. Look closely at your face with attention to your nose, lips, ears, and mouth.
6. Lastly, look through your scalp by using a blow dryer or comb to part through your hair.

Performing this self-exam will help identify potential skin lesions. If you spot anything concerning on your body, contact your dermatologist at SkinCare Physicians for further evaluation. Also review a few easy tips for sun safety to help avoid that summer shade of red!