Men's Health June 1, 2026 0 Comments

Unlock the Surprising Secrets Behind a Skin Check That Could Save Your Life—Here’s What Doctors Don’t Always Tell You!

Ever noticed how scheduling a dermatology appointment for some guys is about as appealing as changing the tires on a car? You know it’s crucial—yet somehow it’s easy to shove it to the back burner. Maybe it feels a little awkward, or maybe you figure skin checks are only for folks who spot a scary mole or have family history waving red flags. Heck, if your skin looks fine, who’s got the time? But here’s the kicker: a whopping 39% of men admit they never slap on sunscreen, way more than women. That’s exactly why making time for a skin exam can be a game-changer. I mean, a quick 10-minute check once a year could save you far more hassle down the road, especially when skin cancer can sneak up silently and hit hard. So, why not flip the script on that old avoidance habit—because being proactive about your skin is one of the smartest moves a guy can make. Ready to dig deeper and get the lowdown on what a skin check really involves? LEARN MORE

FOR A LOT of guys, a dermatology appointment sits in the same category as replacing the tires on their car: It’s important in theory, but easy to avoid in practice. Maybe it feels awkward. Maybe you assume skin checks are only for people with suspicious-looking moles or a family history of skin cancer. Or maybe it just seems unnecessary if nothing looks wrong.

Recent studies show that about 39 percent of men say they never use sunscreen, compared to 28 percent of women. That mindset is precisely why regular skin exams matter, says Prince Adotama, MD, a dermatologist at NYU Langone Health. “Men are not always on top of their health,” he says, noting that they also tend to delay care longer than women. “There’s a lot of avoidance with men who think, I’m fine, I don’t need to be seen.”

“Getting a skin exam takes just 10 minutes of your day, once a year.”

Unfortunately, avoidance can have serious consequences. Men over 50 are more likely than women to develop melanoma and more likely to die from it. Experts say part of the reason is simple: Men are less likely to notice suspicious spots early or schedule preventive screenings.

The reality? A professional skin check takes less time than getting your car’s oil changed, and it’s one of the easiest ways to catch skin cancer early, when treatment is simplest and outcomes are best. “Honestly,” says Dr. Adotama, “getting a skin exam takes just 10 minutes of your day, once a year.”

So, What Exactly Is a Skin Check?

THERE ARE TWO main types of skin checks: spot checks and full-body skin exams.

A spot check focuses on one specific concern, such as a mole that has changed shape, a strange bump, or a patch of skin that won’t heal. These appointments are often quick, lasting anywhere from five to 10 minutes.

A full-body skin exam is more comprehensive. Here, a dermatologist examines your skin from top to bottom, looking for suspicious lesions, unusual growths, or signs of skin cancer. For men, this includes the groin and genital areas. Depending on your skin history and the number of moles you have, the exam usually takes about 10 to 20 minutes.

Most dermatologists recommend getting a baseline full-body skin exam at least once in adulthood, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors or have never seen a dermatologist before. After that, a dermatologist can recommend annual or biannual exams based on your risk factors.

Before your appointment, skip thick hair products and nail polish if applicable, since dermatologists need to clearly see your scalp, nails, and skin. Wear clothing that’s easy to change out of and be prepared to discuss things like your family history of skin cancer, tanning bed use, blistering sunburns, medications, and any spots that itch, bleed, or have changed recently. If there’s a mole or lesion you’re worried about, take a photo of it beforehand so you can show whether it has evolved.

What Happens During a Full-Body Skin Exam

YOU’LL TYPICALLY CHANGE into a gown or strip down to your underwear for a full-body exam. If there’s an area you’re uncomfortable having examined, just say so. The patient is always in control, says Dr. Adotama. “Our goal is to make everyone feel comfortable.”

Once the exam begins, the dermatologist works systematically from head to toe, checking all the places people tend to forget about or simply can’t see well themselves. That includes the scalp beneath your hair, behind the ears, across the back, between the toes, under the nails, and along the soles of the feet, where skin cancers can quietly develop unnoticed for years.

One tool they often use is a dermatoscope, a handheld magnifying device with polarized light that lets them examine lesions in much greater detail. “Dermatoscopes allow us to do more precise evaluations without the need for biopsies,” Dr. Adotama says.

“Oftentimes, a non-healing wound is a sign of skin cancer.”

Many people assume dermatologists are just scanning for giant black moles. Not exactly. They’re looking for subtle changes in color, shape, texture, symmetry, and healing patterns that most people would never notice on their own.

Some major red flags include a mole that’s changing shape or color, asymmetry or irregular borders around a mole, bleeding or irritation, a lesion larger than a pencil eraser, and a wound that simply won’t heal. “Oftentimes, a non-healing wound is a sign of skin cancer,” Dr. Adotama says.

Melanoma in men commonly appears on the trunk, which includes the chest, abdomen, and back. Balding men are especially vulnerable on the scalp and ears because of years of cumulative sun exposure. “One of the first places I look is the scalp,” Dr. Adotama says. “I also see skin cancers on the head and neck all the time.”

Even your beard can literally get in the way. “I have patients who have severe acne that’s hidden behind a beard,” he says. “Sometimes the only person who’s actually looking at that skin is a dermatologist.”

What If Something Looks Suspicious?

THERE ARE TIMES when dermatologists choose to photograph and monitor a lesion over time. In other instances, they recommend a biopsy immediately. “If I’m concerned, I order a biopsy,” Dr. Adotama says. “It’s just not worth it [to take the chance].”

A skin biopsy often happens right there in the office during the same appointment. The area is numbed with local anesthesia, and the dermatologist removes a tiny sample using a sterile blade or punch tool. The whole procedure can take less than five minutes. This is the part of the skin exam many people fear most, but it’s usually far less dramatic than expected. “Patients are often surprised at how simple and quick it is,” Dr. Adotama says.

Even if a biopsy is performed, that doesn’t automatically mean cancer. Dermatologists biopsy many spots that ultimately turn out benign. The goal is to identify dangerous cancers early, before they become harder to treat. If your dermatologist recommends a biopsy, useful questions to ask include:

● What concerns you about this spot?

● What type of biopsy are you doing?

● Will this leave a scar?

● When should I expect results?

● What happens if it comes back abnormal?

Why Skin Checks Are Worth Your Time

THE BIGGEST REASON to stop putting off a skin check is simple: Skin cancer is highly treatable when caught early. “If it’s done when it’s in the early stages, we can get rid of it and call it a day,” Dr. Adotama says. “But if it’s done too late, we may need to do imaging, and perhaps chemotherapy later on or immunotherapy.”

Studies show that women are more likely to notice suspicious spots themselves and schedule appointments sooner. Meanwhile, men are usually alerted by spouses or partners. “Oftentimes their spouses are the ones saying, ‘Hey, that spot on your neck wasn’t there before,’” Dr. Adotama says.

“If it’s done when it’s in the early stages, we can get rid of [skin cancer] and call it a day.”

Dr. Adotama says wearing SPF 30 or higher every day is imperative, even if you have dark skin or work indoors. Skin is exposed to the sun’s rays anytime you step outside or drive a car, so it’s important to get in the habit of applying sunscreen daily. Other small changes that can make a difference include wearing wide-brim hats over baseball caps and reapplying sunscreen every two hours when spending time outdoors. “It’s also a good idea to perform regular self-checks using a mirror [to help get a visual on hard-to-see areas],” Dr. Adotama says. “If a mole concerns you, snap a photo and make an appointment for a skin exam.”

The smartest thing you can do for your skin is stop putting it off. The best skin check is the one you actually book.

Skin Cancer Doesn’t Look the Same on Every Skin Tone

SKIN CANCER IS often associated with sun-exposed areas, especially in lighter skin tones. But in darker skin, it can show up in less obvious places, making it harder to recognize. While white patients have the highest overall risk of melanoma, people with darker skin are often diagnosed later, when cancers are more advanced and harder to treat.

Darker-skinned patients are also more likely to develop a type of skin cancer called acral melanoma, which often appears on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, and underneath fingernails or toenails, says dermatologist Prince Adotama, M.D. It can look like dark brown, black, or even bluish bumps. Squamous cell carcinoma, the most commonly diagnosed type in deeper skin tones, develops in areas not typically exposed to the sun and may even appear as a non-healing sore or raised dark patch. Whatever your skin tone is, using sunscreen daily matters. “Skin cancer can affect anyone, regardless of skin color,” Dr. Adotama says.