"I Only Have A Few Moles": Why Skin Scans Are For Everyone

It's easy to brush off getting a skin scan if you only have a few moles, but relying on your naked eye and waiting for a problem to show up is a risky strategy compared to the peace of mind that comes with proactive healthcare.

The Advantage of a Baseline

Even if you only have a few moles, getting a skin scan is a massive advantage. Mole mapping allows us to screen your entire body and look at all your lesions in high definition. By coming in for your first scan, we establish a baseline that allows us to determine if any new or worrisome lesions have appeared by your next appointment. A yearly appointment ensures we stay ahead of progressively growing skin cancers that might otherwise require serious interventions.

The Danger of Melanoma

The reason we take early detection so seriously is because melanomas spread very rapidly. Once a cancer metastasizes (spreads), the survival rate drops off quickly. Picking up on melanomas early and removing them from the skin is critical.

Seeing What the Naked Eye Misses

When we identify a small or suspicious lesion, we don't just guess. We use a dermoscope, a highly advanced tool that uses polarized and non-polarized light to look at a microscopic level under the top layer of skin. This magnification allows us to identify structures specifically associated with skin cancers.

Just as importantly, this microscopic precision allows us to confidently leave benign (harmless) lesions alone, saving you from unnecessary surgeries and procedures.