Your Simple Guide to Caring For Your Skin

Post Date : May 2, 2025
Dermatology , Skincare
6 minutes read

It’s your body’s largest organ and works hard every day to protect you. Taking care of your skin doesn’t have to be complicated. This simple guide from CHEC will give you the basics for keeping your skin happy and healthy.

The Basics to Skincare:

Think of your basic skincare routine as a simple daily ritual. It doesn’t need to involve a million products! Here are the key things to focus on:

Cleanse: Gently washing your face (and body) removes dirt, oil, and makeup that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Use a mild cleanser that suits your skin type (oily, dry, combination, or sensitive). Wash your face twice a day – morning and night.

Moisturise: Even if you have oily skin, moisturising is important! It helps keep your skin hydrated and prevents it from overproducing oil to compensate for dryness. Choose a moisturiser appropriate for your skin type.

Protect: This is arguably the most important step! Protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day, even on cloudy days.

Things to Keep an Eye On

Your skin can tell you a lot about your overall health. It’s important to pay attention to any changes or new developments. Here are some things to look out for:

Changes in Moles: Regularly check your moles for any changes in size, shape, colour, or texture. Look for moles that are asymmetrical (not the same on both sides), have irregular borders, have multiple colours, are larger than a pencil eraser (6mm), or are evolving (changing). These could be signs of skin cancer and should be checked by a healthcare professional. Remember the ABCDEs of moles:

Asymmetry

When examining moles, asymmetry is a critical characteristic to observe. A benign, or non-cancerous, mole typically exhibits symmetry, meaning if you were to draw an imaginary line down the middle, both halves would appear relatively identical. Conversely, an asymmetrical mole, where one half doesn’t mirror the other, raises concern. This irregularity in shape can be an early warning sign of melanoma, a potentially dangerous form of skin cancer.Therefore, paying close attention to the symmetry of moles during self-exams and professional skin checks is essential for early detection and timely intervention.

Border irregularity

When evaluating moles for potential signs of melanoma, border irregularity is a critical characteristic to observe. Healthy moles typically exhibit smooth, even borders, whereas suspicious moles may display ragged, notched, blurred, or indistinct edges. This irregularity signifies uncontrolled growth, a hallmark of melanoma, where the mole’s cells invade surrounding tissues in an uneven pattern. Therefore, any mole with an irregular border should be promptly assessed by a dermatologist to determine if further evaluation or a biopsy is necessary.

Colour changes

Changes in a mole’s colour are a significant indicator that it warrants closer inspection. While moles naturally vary in shade, from tan to dark brown, any noticeable shift, especially the appearance of multiple colours or a darkening of the mole, should raise concern. Specifically, the presence of black, blue, red, or white within a mole, or an uneven distribution of colour, can be a warning sign of melanoma. It’s crucial to observe if a mole’s colour becomes inconsistent, or if there’s a spreading of pigment into the surrounding skin. These colour changes, when coupled with other factors like irregular borders or increased diameter, necessitate prompt evaluation by a dermatologist.

Diameter (larger than 6mm)

A mole with a diameter larger than 6 millimetres (about the size of a pencil eraser) should raise concern and warrant professional medical evaluation. While not all large moles are cancerous, this size is a recognised “D” in the ABCDEs of melanoma detection (Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Colour variation, Diameter, and Evolving). Moles exceeding this diameter have a statistically higher risk of being or developing into melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. Therefore, any mole exhibiting this characteristic should be promptly assessed by a dermatologist to determine its nature and ensure appropriate management.

Evolving (changing)

When monitoring moles, “evolving” is a critical term, signifying any noticeable change in a mole’s characteristics. This includes alterations in size, shape, colour, or the development of new symptoms like bleeding, itching, or crusting. While moles can naturally change slightly over time due to factors like hormonal shifts or sun exposure, rapid or significant evolution warrants immediate attention. Because changes can be an early indicator of melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, it is important to be vigilant, and to seek professional medical advice should any mole present signs of evolving.

New or Unusual Spots or Bumps

Notice any new spots, bumps, or patches that are itchy, painful, bleeding, or don’t go away? These could be signs of various skin conditions and should be checked.

Persistent Rashes

Rashes that are red, itchy, or painful and don’t improve within a few days could indicate an allergic reaction, infection, or another skin condition.

Dry, Flaky, or Cracked Skin

While sometimes just a sign of dry weather, severe or persistent dryness, flakiness, or cracking could indicate an underlying issue.

Changes in Skin Colour

Any sudden or unusual changes in skin colour, such as yellowing (jaundice), could be a sign of a health problem and should be investigated.

When Should You See a Healthcare Professional?

Don’t hesitate to seek advice from a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional if you notice any of the following:

Any suspicious changes in moles or new skin growths. As mentioned above, this is crucial for early detection of skin cancer.
A rash that is spreading rapidly, is very painful, or is accompanied by fever. These could be signs of a more serious infection or allergic reaction.
Severe or persistent itching that is interfering with your daily life.
Skin infections that don’t improve with home care. Signs of infection can include redness, swelling, pus, and warmth.
Any skin condition that is causing you significant discomfort or distress.

Taking Care of Your Skin is an Investment in Your Health:

By following these simple tips and being aware of any changes in your skin, you can help keep it healthy and catch potential problems early. Remember, if you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare professional. They are there to help!

For more information and resources on skincare, please visit our dermatology page.