Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, FAAD is a Florida native dermatologist and active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, where she serves as a social media ambassador as well as an editor for the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD). She has contributed to numerous beauty articles as a skin health expert, including Women's Health, The EveryGirl, Byrdie, InStyle, Forbes, CNN, just to name a few. Learn what she has to say about detecting and preventing skin cancer.
If skin cancer is caught early, it’s highly curable! That’s why it's so important to get familiar with your skin and to Know Your Spots.
I recommend inspecting your skin once a month and be on the lookout for anything questionable.
When doing a skin-check, it’s important to look at your skin carefully and systematically. First, find a well-lit, bright area with a full-length mirror, as well as a hand mirror. Then, start by looking at your face. Don’t forget to inspect the inside of your mouth, your eyelids, and your ears!
Next, look through your scalp. While this may be difficult to do if you have a lot of hair, try using a brush or a blow-dryer to move your hair out of the way so you can see better. Pro tip: ask your hairstylist during your trips to the salon to look through your scalp for any suspicious spots as well. Next, work your way down the front of your body, inspecting your torso, as well as both arms and legs. Don’t forget to check your palms, soles of your feet, and nails (skip the nail polish)! Be sure to also check around your private areas, including under your breasts. Finally, turn around and examine your backside using your full-length mirror and handheld mirror.
When doing your skin check, the point is to be on the lookout for any new or changing moles or suspicious spots, ulcers, or non-healing wounds. Remember the ABC’s of Skin Cancer!
Also be on the lookout for a spot or sore that is bleeding, scabbing, non-healing, crusting, or hurts/itches. If you aren’t sure if a mole or spot is changing, take a photo with your cell phone and measure it. Check it again in a few weeks!
Despite what some people think, seeing a Derm isn’t scary! Dermatologists perform skin checks every single day and are more than happy to check you out and put your mind at ease. It’s normal to feel intimidated by skin checks but once you establish a relationship with your Dermatologist, it gets easier and more comfortable. You can find a Dermatologist near you here.
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She’s only 14, but none of this is new to her. Not collecting medals. Not making grown-ass pro athletes jealous. Not the “did you see that?!” surprised faces in the crowd at global competitions like the 2019 USASA national championships in Colorado and last year’s Stab High Japan.
It started with lost bags and apparently the worst conditions in years, but we find Side Hits galore, some fun country hits, and find our rhythm with Parker Szumowski and Arthur Longo leading the charge. Dark, snow-ridden storm clouds are gathering over the steppes of Uzbekistan, and we are very much ready and waiting for it.
