How Often Should You Get a Skin Check?
How often you should have a skin check depends on your individual risk rather than a single schedule that applies to everyone. Your skin type, number of moles, previous sun exposure, family history and any previous skin cancers can all influence how often your skin should be assessed.
Just as importantly, you should not wait for your next routine check if you notice a new, changing or concerning spot.
Is there a recommended frequency for skin checks?
There is no single recommended skin check interval for every Australian adult.
Australia does not currently have a population-wide skin cancer screening program. Instead, the frequency of professional skin checks should be considered according to your individual risk factors and clinical history.
People at higher risk of skin cancer may benefit from regular clinical skin examinations, sometimes supported by dermoscopy, photography or mole mapping. Your doctor can recommend an appropriate follow-up interval after assessing your skin and individual risk.
If you have never had your skin assessed and are unsure about your risk, a full body skin check can provide a useful starting point.
Who may need more regular skin checks?
Your doctor may recommend more regular skin checks if you have factors that increase your risk of developing skin cancer.
These can include:
A previous melanoma or other skin cancer
A family history of melanoma, particularly in a first-degree relative
A large number of moles
Multiple unusual or atypical moles
Fair skin that burns easily
Significant cumulative sun exposure
A history of repeated sunburn
Regular occupational or recreational sun exposure
A weakened immune system
People with a previous melanoma or who are otherwise considered at high risk may require a more structured surveillance plan. The appropriate interval should be determined individually rather than assuming that the same schedule applies to everyone.
For some higher-risk patients, mole mapping may also be appropriate to help document and monitor lesions over time.
When should you have a spot checked sooner?
Routine skin check intervals are only part of the picture.
If you notice something new or changing on your skin, you do not need to wait until your next planned full body skin check.
Arrange an earlier assessment if you notice:
A new spot that looks different from your other spots
A mole changing in size, shape or colour
A lesion that bleeds or repeatedly crusts
A sore that does not heal
A spot that becomes persistently itchy, tender or painful
A lesion that simply looks or behaves differently from the rest
One useful concept is the “ugly duckling” sign. This describes a mole or lesion that looks noticeably different from the other spots on your skin.
The ABCDE guide can also help identify changes in pigmented lesions:
A – Asymmetry: one half looks different from the other.
B – Border: an irregular or poorly defined border.
C – Colour: variation or changes in colour.
D – Diameter: size can be relevant, although skin cancers can also be small.
E – Evolving: a lesion that is changing over time.
These signs cannot diagnose skin cancer. If you are concerned about an individual lesion, it should be assessed by a doctor.
What happens during a full body skin check?
A full body skin check involves systematically examining the skin for suspicious or unusual lesions, including areas that can be difficult to see yourself.
At The Mole Clinic, our doctors use dermoscopy to examine lesions more closely. A dermatoscope provides magnification and specialised lighting that allows structures beneath the surface of the skin to be assessed in greater detail.
A skin check is not simply about deciding whether an individual mole looks abnormal. Your doctor considers the overall pattern of your skin, your individual lesions and your personal risk factors.
Depending on what is found, a lesion may require no further action, photographic monitoring, follow-up assessment or a biopsy.
You can learn more about our skin cancer doctors and their additional training in skin cancer medicine and dermoscopy.
Skin check versus mole mapping
A full body skin check and mole mapping are related but are not the same thing.
During a full body skin check, a doctor examines your skin and assesses individual lesions using clinical examination and dermoscopy where appropriate.
Mole mapping involves capturing images of the skin and selected lesions so they can be documented and compared over time. This can be particularly useful for some patients with numerous moles, atypical lesions or a higher risk of melanoma.
At The Mole Clinic, DermEngine technology is used for digital imaging and longitudinal monitoring where clinically appropriate.
Not everyone having a skin check needs mole mapping. Your doctor can advise whether it is likely to be useful based on your skin and individual risk.
Should you check your own skin between appointments?
Yes. Becoming familiar with your own skin can help you recognise when something has changed.
Check areas that are easy to overlook, including your scalp, back, behind your ears, the backs of your legs and the soles of your feet. A mirror or help from a partner or family member can be useful for areas that are difficult to see.
There is no single self-check schedule that is appropriate for everyone. People at increased risk may be advised to check their skin more regularly.
Self-examination is also not a substitute for medical assessment. If you notice a new or changing lesion, or something concerns you, arrange an assessment rather than attempting to diagnose it yourself.
Why does early assessment matter?
Skin cancers can appear in different ways. Some are obvious, while others may initially resemble an ordinary mole, dry patch, small lump or persistent sore.
Melanoma in particular is more successfully treated when detected at an earlier stage. This is why noticing changes and arranging appropriate assessment is important.
A professional skin examination can also assess areas you may not be able to see easily yourself and allows suspicious lesions to be examined with dermoscopy.
Do you need a referral for a skin check?
No referral is required to attend The Mole Clinic.
We provide doctor-led skin checks at our clinics in Sunshine and Frankston, with appointments available for both full body skin checks and assessment of individual concerning spots.
You can view our Sunshine and Frankston clinic locations and choose the most convenient clinic.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I get a skin check?
There is no single interval that is appropriate for everyone. How often you should have your skin checked depends on factors such as your previous skin cancer history, family history, number and type of moles, skin type and sun exposure. Your doctor can recommend an appropriate interval based on your individual risk.
Should everyone have a skin check every year?
Not necessarily. There is no population-wide recommendation that every Australian adult requires an annual professional skin check. People at increased or high risk may benefit from regular clinical examinations, while recommendations for other patients should be individualised.
What if I notice a changing mole between skin checks?
Do not wait until your next routine appointment. A new, changing or otherwise concerning lesion should be assessed earlier.
Do I need mole mapping every time I have a skin check?
No. Mole mapping can be useful for selected patients, particularly those with numerous or atypical moles or a higher risk of melanoma. Your doctor can advise whether it is appropriate for you.
Can a skin check diagnose every skin cancer?
No examination can guarantee that every skin cancer will be detected. Clinical examination and dermoscopy help doctors assess suspicious lesions, and some lesions may require monitoring or biopsy to establish a diagnosis.
Book a Skin Check in Melbourne
If you are concerned about a new or changing spot, have risk factors for skin cancer or would like to discuss how often your skin should be checked, you can arrange an appointment with The Mole Clinic.
Our doctor-led skin cancer clinics are located in Sunshine and Frankston, and no referral is required.