Skin Checks

Skin Checks · Prevention

When Should You Start Yearly Skin Checks?

In this video, Dr Lauren Young explains who needs annual skin checks, what age to start, and when an earlier review is appropriate.

Age 18 Annual skin checks are recommended from age 18 upwards

The short answer

  • Annual skin checks are recommended from age 18 upwards.
  • Skin cancer under 18 is rare — but a new or changing lesion at any age warrants an early review.
  • Patients with a strong family history of early-onset skin cancer should consider starting sooner.

Why age 18?

Until the age of 18, skin cancer is very rare. Across 15 years of dermatology, Dr Young has seen only a couple of patients with a basal cell carcinoma under 18, and a single childhood melanoma. Because these cases are so uncommon, routine yearly skin checks are generally recommended from 18 onwards.

When to be seen sooner

  • If a new, different, or changing lesion is concerning you or your child, an early review is appropriate at any age.
  • If there's a strong family history of early-onset skin cancer, it's worth considering skin checks earlier.

What to expect at a skin check

A skin check with Dr Lauren Young is a thorough, non-invasive, full-body examination of your skin. Dr Young will:

  • Examine your skin head to toe, including areas you can't easily see yourself.
  • Use a dermatoscope to examine moles, lesions, and spots closely.
  • Note any new or changing lesions for monitoring.
  • Discuss the findings with you and recommend next steps.

Book your skin check

Whether you're due for your yearly check or you've noticed something that's changed, we're here to help. Get in touch with Q Dermatology to arrange your appointment.

Q Dermatology