Here comes the sun..

It's important to keep tabs on suspicious moles, especially if you have a lot of exposure to the sun. Of course, we should all visit our dermatologists, but a great way to keep an eye on moles/freckles yourself is to remember your ABC's.

Asymmetry
Border
Color
Diameter
Elevation

A - Asymmetry can be assessed by comparing one half of the growth to the other half to determine if the halves are equal in size. Unequal or asymmetric moles are suspicious.

B - If the mole's border is irregular, notched, scalloped, or indistinct, for certain people it is more likely to be cancerous (or precancerous) and is thus suspicious.

C - Variation of color (e.g., more than one color or shade) within a mole is a suspicious finding. Different shades of browns, blues, reds, whites, and blacks are all concerning.

D - Any mole that has a diameter larger than a pencil's eraser in size (> 6 mm) should be considered suspicious.

E - If a mole is elevated, or raised from of the skin, in some cases (not always) it could be considered suspicious.

Of course, sunscreen is also very important for our skin, even in the winter time and when we're not in direct sunlight. Many face and body lotions that are made for everyday use now include sunscreen, too. Clinique (my fave; smells clean and is very light) and Neutrogena have some great options for all skin types.

We care for and monitor with doctor's visits our eyes, liver, stomach, and hearts. Don't forget that your skin is your body's largest organ. And even though it regenerates, make it a priority to take care of it!