How to Do a Skin Check?

1. Check  your face, especially the nose, lips, mouth and ears – front and back. Use one or both mirrors to get a clear view.

2. Inspect your scalp, using a blow dryer and mirror to expose each section to view. Get a friend or family member to help if you can.

3. Examine your hands carefully; palms and backs, between the fingers and under fingernails. Continue up the wrists, examining both the front and backs of your forearms.

4. Standing in front of a full length mirror, begin at the elbows and scan all sides of your upper arms. Don’t forget the underarms.

5. Check on the neck, chest and torso. Women should lift breasts to view the underneath.

6. With your back to the full length mirror, use a handheld mirror to inspect the back of your neck, shoulders, upper back and any part of the back of your arms that you could not see in step 5.

7. Still using both mirrors, scan your lower back, buttocks and the backs of both legs.

8. Sit down; prop each leg in turn on another stool or chair. Use the handheld mirror to examine the genitals and anal regions. Check the front and sides of both legs, thigh to shin; ankles, tops of feet, between toes and under toenails. Examine soles of feet and heels.