- (07) 5681 1585
- [email protected]
- 76-122 Napper road, Parkwood 4214 QLD
Parkwood skin clinic
At Parkwood Skin Clinic, we provide comprehensive skin checks performed by our experienced skin doctor. Our team is dedicated to thoroughly assess your skin to identify any potential concerns, including early signs of skin cancer.
Regular skin checks are essential, especially given the prevalence of skin cancer types such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. We use advanced diagnostic tools and a keen eye to detect even subtle changes in your skin, helping catch issues before they progress.
Contrary to common belief, skin checks are not only for those with a history of skin cancer, but they are important for everyone, regardless of skin type or lifestyle. While many associate skin checks with older individuals or those with high sun exposure, regular skin examinations are becoming increasingly recognised as essential for maintaining overall skin health. More and more people are scheduling skin checks as a proactive measure to detect any potential issues early, ensuring they stay ahead of skin concerns and reduce the risk of more serious conditions, like skin cancer.
Before your skin check, it’s important to remove any nail polish, as clear nails allow for a thorough examination of your nail beds. Avoid wearing makeup and lotions, as these can obscure the skin and make it more difficult to identify any potential issues. Be sure to make a note of any moles or spots that have changed, are new, or cause concern, so you can discuss them with your doctor during your appointment. In addition, practice regular skin self-examinations to monitor for changes in the shape, color, or size of moles or freckles. Always use sun protection to reduce your risk of skin cancer, especially if you are at high risk for melanoma. UV radiation can damage skin cells and increase the likelihood of developing skin cancer.
You may be at risk of skin cancer if you have certain factors such as fair skin, light hair, and light eyes, as these traits provide less protection from UV radiation. Individuals with a history of frequent sun exposure, tanning bed use, or severe sunburns, especially during childhood, are at a higher risk. Living in sunny or high-altitude areas where UV rays are stronger also increases your chances of developing skin cancer.
Dermoscopy is a vital component of our skin check consultations, significantly enhancing the accuracy of skin cancer detection and diagnosis. This non-invasive technique uses a specialised magnifying tool with polarised light to examine the deeper layers of the skin, allowing us to see features that are invisible to the naked eye. By revealing structures and patterns within moles, freckles, and other skin lesions, dermoscopy helps our doctor distinguish between benign and potentially malignant changes with greater precision. This advanced view aids in the early detection of skin cancers, such as melanoma, which can often be challenging to identify in their early stages. Incorporating dermoscopy into every skin check consultation not only increases diagnostic accuracy but also provides peace of mind, as patients receive a thorough and highly reliable examination.
Digital photographic mole monitoring enhances skin checks accuracy by tracking moles and lesions over time.
Digital photographic mole monitoring offers a powerful tool in skin cancer prevention and early detection, allowing us to track changes in moles and other skin lesions over time with exceptional precision. Through high-resolution, standardised photographs taken during each visit, we can accurately document the size, shape, colour, and texture of moles, creating a visual record of the skin’s health. This digital archive enables us to detect subtle changes that may indicate malignancy, even before they are visible to the naked eye, thus increasing the likelihood of catching skin cancers like melanoma at an early, more treatable stage
For individuals who have been previously diagnosed with skin cancer, regular skin check follow-ups and surveillance are essential to monitor for any signs of recurrence or new skin cancers. Those with a history of skin cancer are at a higher risk of developing additional cancers, making vigilant follow-ups a crucial part of ongoing care. During each follow-up, we use advanced techniques such as dermoscopy and digital mole monitoring to detect even the slightest changes in existing moles and lesions, ensuring that any suspicious developments are caught early when they are most treatable.