Massage therapists and estheticians are sending a lot of business to Dr. Kenneth Beer, FAAD- Board Certified Dermatologist and Owner of Scientificskin.com, with questions and concerns about their moles. ”Two weeks ago, I had three new melanomas, so they are out there to be found,” Dr. Beer said. “About 2/3 of the melanomas that I find are spots that the patients notice are different.” Spa-goers are smart to address their melanoma concerns at the spa, but it’s important to keep a diligent eye and see a dermatologist regularly. If you’re curious as to how to monitor changes on your skin, follow the ABCD rule to determine which moles may need to be evaluated by an expert.

Asymmetry

Border Irregularity

Color Changes

Diameters Bigger than 5 Millimeters

“Last week, I had a 42 year old woman who found a new pink mole on her thigh during a self exam,” Dr. Beer shares. “She came to the office because of it and since she gave a description of something that changed over a few weeks/ months, we removed it. It is a melanoma that had started to grow vertically- the dangerous phase. I can not tell you how frequently this happens.”

Please be diligent! You have to be an actual mole living in a hole underground to not know how important it is to protect your skin in the sun. One of the options you hear all about is a spray tan, and as the sun’s rays become more harmful every year, more and more people are investing in safe tans for their summer glow. Tomorrow we’re going to be live-streaming an airbrush tan at 2 PM EST at The Mezzanine Spa in NYC—if you’re wondering what it’s really like and if it’s something for you, check back tomorrow.

And speaking of checking… check your skin NOW!