End-of-Summer Skin Damage Assessment
Check in on the season's toll before fall.
Melanoma is highly survivable when caught early — the 5-year survival rate is about 99% for localized disease — which is why an end-of-summer skin self-check matters.
Dermatologists recommend a head-to-toe skin self-exam after the high-UV summer months, flagging any spot that is new, changing, or that doesn't heal for a professional check.
Questions we get a lot
What is the ABCDE rule for checking moles?
ABCDE is a guide for spotting possible melanoma: Asymmetry, irregular Borders, uneven Color, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser, and Evolving (changing in size, shape or color). Any spot that fits one or more of these — especially one that's changing — is worth a dermatologist's evaluation.
Should I get a skin check at the end of summer?
It's a smart time to do one. After months of higher UV exposure, a head-to-toe self-exam helps you catch new or changing spots early. Note anything that's new, growing, bleeding or not healing, and book a dermatologist if you find something concerning.
Does summer sun damage show up right away?
Not always. A tan or burn is immediate, but much UV damage is cumulative and can surface later as new spots, freckling or texture changes. That's why an end-of-summer assessment — plus keeping up daily broad-spectrum sunscreen into fall — is worthwhile.
r/SkincareScience: 'I noticed a new dark spot after this summer — how do I know if it's worth getting checked?'