Self Examination

After showering, check yourself in a well-lighted room using a full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror.
Start by checking moles and birthmarks you've had since birth. Look for changes, especially a new mole or skin discoloration, a sore that does not heal, or any change in the size, shape, texture, or color of an existing mole.
Look at the front and back of your body in the mirror. Then raise your arms and look at your left and right sides.
Bend your elbows and look carefully at your fingernails, palms, forearms, and upper arms.
Examine the back, front and sides of your legs. Look between the buttocks and around the genital area.
Sit and closely examine your feet, including the toenails, soles, and spaces between the toes.
Look at your face, neck, ears, and scalp. Use a comb or hair dryer to move your hair so that you can see better. Or get someone else to check your scalp for you.
If you find anything suspicious, visit a dermatologist right away and ask for a full-body exam.

Source: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center