We see a lot of people naked, which means we’re actually in prime position to spot potentially cancerous moles.  Now I trained as an aesthetician, and we were trained to spot potential melanoma.  I was reminded of this yesterday when I saw a worrying mole on a client.  Informing your clients is kind and helps get repeat business, because it makes them think you care.

Here’s how:

Just remember ABCDE:

(A) Asymmetry – One half doesn’t match the other half.

(B) Border Irregularity – The edges are ragged, notched or blurred.

© Color – The pigmentation is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown, and black are present. Dashes of red, white, and blue can add to the mottled appearance.

(D) Diameter – The width is greater than six millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser). Any growth of a mole should be of concern. 

(E) Evolution: the symmetry, border, color, or diameter of a mole has changed over time.

Other warning signs are:

• A sore that does not heal
• A new growth
• Spread of pigment (color) from the border of a spot to surrounding skin
• Redness or a new swelling beyond the border
• Change in sensation – itchiness, tenderness, or pain
• Change in the surface of a mole – scaling, oozing, bleeding, or the appearance of a bump or nodule

(Taken from the USCF school of medicine website)