Skin Care and Beauty

Mole and Skin Self-Check: ABCDE Rules, Photos and Where to Look (Video)

2:25 min

Read the full written guide: Mole and Skin Self-Check: ABCDE Rules, Photos and Where to Look →

Learn a fast, monthly routine to examine your whole body for skin changes. We walk through the ABCDE mole test, the ‘ugly duckling’ clue, and a simple photo method to track evolution.

We also cover hidden spots on darker skin and the key habit that makes early detection possible. This guide is for personal use only and not a medical substitute.

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Transcript

Did you know a full skin check takes just ten minutes?

Did you know a full skin check takes just ten minutes?

Skin Self-Check Basics

Learn a quick monthly routine to spot skin changes, and stay for a key photo tip at the end.

Gather Your Kit

First, find good daylight or a bright white lamp, a hand mirror, your phone, and a ruler or a small coin for scale. Make sure the light is clear, not yellow.

Body Scan Order

Start with your face and scalp, then move to chest, back, arms, and legs, finishing with the hidden spots on palms, soles, and under nails. Use a full-length mirror for the back and a hand mirror for hard-to-see areas.

Time Needed

It only takes about ten minutes each month for a thorough check, and you can fit it into a coffee break.

Mole Evaluation

Apply the ABCDE rule to any mole that catches your eye: asymmetry, border irregularity, colour variation, size over six millimetres, and any evolution. Also watch for a spot that looks odd compared to its neighbours, rounder, darker, or redder, often called the ‘ugly duckling’.

Photo Method

When you photograph a mole, use the same daylight, hold the phone about fifteen centimetres away, and place a ruler or a small coin beside the spot for scale. Keep the camera straight on, not angled, and take a wider view that includes surrounding skin.

Diameter Threshold

A mole larger than six millimetres, about the size of a pencil eraser, should raise a flag and be examined more closely.

Melanoma on Brown Skin

On darker skin, melanoma often appears on palms, soles, under nails, or inside the mouth, not just sun-exposed areas. Look for dark stripes in nails, irregular patches on palms or soles, and sores that won’t heal.

The one habit to remember

The most reliable habit is to photograph every mole the same way each month, then compare the images side by side for any evolution. Consistent photos make subtle changes obvious.

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Read the full guide

The full guide is on thecareonline.com. General information only, so check with your doctor for your own case.

Nothing on The Care Online is medical advice. Traditional practices are described as tradition, not as fact. Take a persistent or serious concern to a qualified professional. See how videos and posts are made on our methodology page.