Monthly Skin Self-Examination Checklist
10-Minute Clinical Self-Check Protocol • American Academy of Dermatology
Mole Tracker
moletracker.org
1. The 5 Steps of a Full-Body Skin Check:
□ Step 1: Head, Face, & Scalp
Use a blow dryer and hand mirror to inspect your scalp. Check your face, ears, neck, lips, and eyelids under bright lighting.
□ Step 2: Hands, Arms, & Underarms
Examine palms, backs of hands, between all fingers, and under fingernails. Inspect forearms, elbows, and underarm folds.
□ Step 3: Chest, Torso, & Abdomen
Scan your neck, clavicles, chest, under the breasts (for women), ribcage, and down to the lower abdomen.
□ Step 4: Upper Back, Lower Back, & Buttocks
Face away from a full-length mirror and use a hand mirror to inspect your shoulders, upper back, lower spine, and buttocks.
□ Step 5: Legs, Soles, & Between Toes
Sit down and inspect the front/back of thighs, calves, tops of feet, soles, between all toes, and toenails.
2. The ABCDE Warning Signs Checklist:
A
Asymmetry
Halves do not match
B
Border
Uneven or notched
C
Color
Multiple shades
D
Diameter
> 6mm (Pencil eraser)
E
Evolving
Changing over time
Medical Reminder: Perform this check on the 1st of every month. If you spot any evolving or suspicious lesion, schedule an evaluation with a board-certified dermatologist immediately. Track side-by-side photographic timelines on your iPhone with Mole Tracker (App Store ID: 6755881207).
