Skin Care And Sunlight: Why They Don't Go Together

The skin is the largest organ in the body. Since your skin is constantly exposed to the elements, it's important that you invest in routine screening for potential skin problems. Skin cancer is one of the most dangerous problems that can plague your skin.

The best way to combat skin cancer is to detect it early and begin treatment as quickly as possible. Dermatologists are specially trained to identify skin cancers. Routine screenings can help your dermatologist identify problem areas that need further investigation.

Dermatologists use many tools during a skin cancer screening. Learn more about these tools so that you will be prepared for future screenings.

1. Visual Inspection

All skin cancer screenings start with dermatologists using their most effective diagnostic tool- their eyes.

You will be asked to strip down to your birthday suit so that the dermatologist is able to visually inspect every inch of your skin. This visual inspection will even include the skin on your scalp.

Your doctor will make a note of any lesions, moles, or discoloration that could pose a risk to your health. These problem areas will be given additional scrutiny using other tools at a dermatologist's disposal.

2. Dermatoscope

A dermatoscope is used to help dermatologists get a closer look at any problem areas identified during the visual examination portion of your skin cancer screening. The primary purpose of a dermatoscope is to magnify a small area to make it easier to see.

Your dermatologist will look through the dermatoscope to check for any abnormalities, like irregular borders or discoloration. The use of the dermatoscope allows a dermatologist to see things that wouldn't be visible to the naked eye.

3. Biopsies

Biopsies are valuable tools for all dermatologists. A particular area of the skin can appear to have abnormalities that could indicate the presence of skin cancer, but the only way to be sure of the diagnosis is to send a sample of that skin tissue to a lab for analysis.

A biopsy requires that dermatologists use a lancet to remove a small portion of the affected skin tissue. This tissue is then placed into a specialized liquid preserver and sent to a lab.

An experienced technician will look at the skin sample under a powerful microscope to determine if the cells are normal. Chemical testing for the presence of cancer can also be conducted on a biopsied tissue sample.

If you are interested in the topic and want to check it out further, reach out to a local dermatologist.