Everyday Skin Health: Sun, Moles and When to Get Checked in Richmond, BC

Skin is easy to take for granted. It works quietly every day, keeping water in, keeping irritants and germs out, and helping regulate temperature. Usually it only gets attention when something feels dry, itchy or looks different. A few steady habits, plus knowing what changes deserve a closer look, can go a long way toward keeping your skin comfortable and catching problems early.

Your Skin Barrier: The Basics

The outer layer of skin acts like a brick wall. Skin cells are the bricks, and natural fats between them are the mortar. Together they slow water loss and limit what gets in. A healthy barrier also depends on a slightly acidic surface and the community of microbes that normally lives on your skin.

When this barrier is disrupted, skin tends to feel tight, dry, sensitive or easily irritated. Common culprits include:

• Long, hot showers and harsh, fragranced soaps
• Over-scrubbing or using several strong exfoliating products at once
• Cold, dry indoor air during the heating season
• Frequent hand-washing or sanitizer use without moisturizing afterward
• Stress, poor sleep and some underlying health conditions

Age matters too. Skin naturally renews more slowly over time and produces fewer of its own protective oils, so a routine that worked at 30 may need adjusting at 55.

A Simple Daily Routine

Good skin care does not have to be complicated or expensive. For most adults, the core is three steps:

• Gentle cleansing. Use lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser. You do not need to feel "squeaky clean"; that feeling often means protective oils have been stripped away.
• Moisturizing. Apply a moisturizer shortly after washing, while skin is still slightly damp. Ingredients such as glycerin, ceramides or petrolatum help hold water in. Thicker creams or ointments are often more helpful for very dry hands and legs in winter.
• Daily sun protection. More on this below.

Introduce new products one at a time, and give your skin a few weeks before judging results. If you use stronger active ingredients such as retinoids or acids, start slowly and pay extra attention to moisturizing and sunscreen. Persistent rashes, acne, eczema-like patches or flushing are worth discussing with a physician rather than treating by trial and error.

Lifestyle supports what you put on your skin. Not smoking, limiting alcohol, sleeping well and eating plenty of vegetables, fruit and healthy fats are all associated with healthier skin as well as better overall health.

Sun Protection in Metro Vancouver

It is a common belief that cloudy coastal weather means sun protection is optional. In reality, ultraviolet (UV) light passes through cloud cover, and it reflects off water, sand and snow. Time on the water, on local trails, on the ski slopes or in the garden all adds up, and so does sun exposure on travel to sunnier destinations.

UV exposure is linked with sunburn, premature skin aging, and an increased risk of skin cancer. Canadian health and dermatology organizations generally recommend:

• A broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on exposed skin, applied generously and reapplied about every two hours outdoors, and after swimming or sweating
• Shade during the middle of the day, when UV levels tend to be highest
• Protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses
• Checking the UV index in your local weather forecast and taking extra care when it is moderate or higher
• Avoiding tanning beds

People with lighter skin tend to burn more easily, but everyone benefits from sun protection, including people with darker skin tones.

Getting to Know Your Moles: The ABCDE Guide

Most moles are harmless. The goal of checking them is not to worry, but to notice change. Many physicians suggest a simple self-check every month or two, in good light, using a full-length mirror and a hand mirror (or a partner) for your back and scalp.

The ABCDE guide is a widely used way to spot moles that may need a closer look:

• A — Asymmetry: one half does not match the other.
• B — Border: edges that are irregular, ragged, notched or blurred.
• C — Colour: uneven colour, or several shades of brown, black, red, white or blue.
• D — Diameter: larger than about 6 mm (roughly a pencil eraser), though concerning spots can be smaller.
• E — Evolving: any change in size, shape, colour, height or symptoms.

Also watch for:

• A new spot that looks different from your other moles (sometimes called the "ugly duckling")
• A sore that does not heal, or one that bleeds, crusts or itches persistently
• A pearly, shiny or scaly patch, especially on the face, ears, scalp, neck or hands
• Dark streaks under a fingernail or toenail, or spots on the palms and soles

Taking a dated photo of moles you want to monitor makes it easier to notice change over time.

When a Professional Skin Check Is Worth It

If you notice any of the warning signs above, contact your family physician promptly rather than waiting for a routine visit. Beyond specific concerns, a professional skin check may be worth considering if you:

• Have many moles, or moles that look unusual
• Have fair skin that burns easily, or a history of frequent or blistering sunburns
• Have a personal or family history of skin cancer
• Have spent many years working or playing outdoors
• Have a weakened immune system
• Find it hard to see parts of your own skin, such as your back

During a skin check, a physician examines your skin from scalp to toes, may look at specific spots more closely, and can advise on whether anything should be monitored, removed or referred. At MMC Wellness in Richmond, skin checks are offered as part of our self-pay health examination services. Coverage depends on the reason for the visit, so please contact us to confirm what applies to you.

Skin Health as Part of Ongoing Care

Skin changes are often easier to judge when someone has seen your skin before. A family physician who knows your history, sun exposure and family background can put a new spot in context, track changes over the years, and arrange specialist referrals when needed. For people who want more help coordinating checkups and follow-up, the MMC health-management membership adds care coordination and value-added services on top of MSP-covered care. It does not replace your family doctor.

If you do not yet have a family doctor in BC, you can join the provincial Health Connect Registry through HealthLink BC online or by calling 8-1-1.

Book a Consultation

If you have a spot you have been meaning to get looked at, or would like to make skin checks part of your regular preventive care, our team in Richmond can help in English, Mandarin or Cantonese. Call us at 604-629-8968 to book, or contact us to learn more about the membership.