September always feels like a natural reset. The pace changes, the light shifts and most of us start thinking about what we want to feel like by the time Christmas arrives. For me it is also the most important month in the calendar for skin health, and not just because it is officially Skin Awareness Month.
After months of sun exposure, heat and humidity your skin has been working incredibly hard. Some of what it has been dealing with will show up immediately, darker pigmentation, new freckles, rough patches, uneven tone, that general end of summer dullness that no amount of holiday glow can quite disguise. But some of it takes longer to show up. And some of it you might not be able to see at all without help.
This month I want to talk about both.
What UV actually does to your skin
Most people understand that sun exposure causes tanning and burning. What is less well understood is the cumulative, long term effect of UV on the deeper layers of the skin.
UVA rays, the ageing rays, penetrate much deeper than UVB. They break down collagen and elastin, the structural proteins that keep skin firm and resilient. They drive melanin production, which is why pigmentation gets darker and new spots appear. And crucially, UVA is present at consistent levels all year round, penetrating cloud cover and glass. The sun you caught in Mallorca in August is the same sun that comes through your car window in November.
This is why I talk so much about broad spectrum sun protection as a non-negotiable, not just a summer habit. But that is a conversation for another day.
The thing most people forget to check
When people come to me concerned about their skin after summer, they tend to focus on their face. Which makes complete sense. It is what we see every day.
But your back, your shoulders, the backs of your legs, your scalp, your hairline. These are the areas that receive significant UV exposure and are almost never properly checked. If you are fair skinned, if you have a family history of skin cancer, if you spent a lot of time in the sun as a child or if you simply have a lot of moles, these areas matter enormously.
Understanding what you are looking at — the ABCDE rule
Not everything on your skin is a mole. Seborrhoeic keratoses, dermatofibromas, angiomas, freckles, sun spots, post-inflammatory pigmentation. There are many different types of lesions and marks and they are not all the same thing, they do not all behave the same way and they do not all need the same response.
But for moles specifically, dermatologists use a simple framework called the ABCDE rule to identify lesions that warrant closer attention.
A is for Asymmetry. One half of the mole does not match the other.
B is for Border. The edges are irregular, ragged or blurred rather than smooth and well defined.
C is for Colour. More than one shade of brown, black, red or white within the same mole.
D is for Diameter. Larger than approximately 6mm, roughly the size of a pencil eraser.
E is for Evolving. Any change in size, shape or colour over time, or a mole that starts to itch, bleed or crust.
If any of those descriptions apply to something on your skin, that is a reason to get it looked at properly. Not to panic. Not to catastrophise. Just to get a proper opinion from someone qualified to give one.
What I am now offering at Finesse
I am really pleased to be launching skin lesion assessment at Finesse this September.
Using a medical grade dermatoscope I capture detailed images of any moles or lesions you would like assessed. Those images are submitted securely to a GMC registered consultant dermatologist for remote review. You receive a written report within 24 to 48 hours.
That report will tell you clearly whether the lesion is benign, needs monitoring or requires further medical attention. If further action is needed you will be guided on the appropriate next steps, whether that is a GP referral or another clinical pathway.
I want to be clear about something important. I do not personally diagnose lesions. That is the role of the consultant dermatologist reviewing your images. What I do is make sure you get a proper expert opinion quickly, locally and without the wait that often comes with the GP route.
The assessment costs £120 for the first lesion and £30 for each additional lesion reviewed at the same appointment. Lesions must be assessed at the same appointment as they are submitted together for the same dermatologist review.
What happens if something innocent needs removing
If a lesion is assessed and found to be benign but is something you would simply like removed, I also offer cryotherapy at Finesse. This is suitable for a range of benign lesions including skin tags, seborrhoeic keratoses and age spots. We can discuss this at your appointment once you have your report.
Who this service is for
This service is suitable for anyone who has noticed a mole or mark they are not sure about, anyone who has not had a proper skin check for a while, anyone with a fair complexion or a history of significant sun exposure, and anyone who simply wants peace of mind.
It is not suitable for lesions that are bleeding heavily, infected or very painful, for rapidly spreading rashes accompanied by other symptoms, for patients who have already been referred to hospital for a specific lesion, or for lesions in areas that are difficult to photograph. In those cases I would always recommend seeing your GP directly.
How to book
If you would like a skin lesion assessment at your next appointment simply mention it when you book and I will make sure we have time set aside. If you would like a dedicated appointment for this alone that is absolutely fine too.
You can book online at https://finesseskinclinic.collums.co.uk/ or send me a WhatsApp on 07539364703.
September feels like exactly the right time to do this. Your skin has been through a lot this summer. It deserves a proper look.
