At BeachGlo Aesthetics, we focus on cosmetic dermatology—the art of improving your skin quality and glo. Our team helps patients feel comfortable and confident in their skin, and that includes prioritizing their health.
That’s where medical dermatology fits into your skincare routine. While our team prioritizes healthy skin, your medical dermatologist is the expert on disease detection. Each of these roles supports your skin’s long-term health in different ways.
Dermatologists assess your skin and identify medical concerns, including skin cancers like melanoma. In Nags Head, we encourage our patients to visit their primary dermatologist or our partner medical dermatologist if they suspect a spot might require more than an aesthetic fix.
Understanding the Stages of Melanoma
While our team cannot diagnose melanoma in Nags Head, we thoroughly check your skin during your complimentary consultation and flag any suspicious spots or possibly cancerous moles.
If we notice any indicators of skin cancer, we refer you to a trusted medical dermatologist for a full-body skin check and lab biopsy to diagnose any cancer spots.
The American Cancer Society recognizes 5 stages of melanoma:
- Stage 0: Commonly known as melanoma in situ, this stage has cancer cells present in the uppermost layers of skin.
- Stage 1: Cancerous cells penetrate the skin up to 1 mm, but do not reach the lymph nodes or other organs.
- Stage 2: Here, the tumor is thicker and extends to the skin’s middle layers. While it has not spread to vital organs, this stage of melanoma carries a higher risk than Stage 1.
- Stage 3: Known as regional melanoma, this stage sees cancerous cells spread to the lymph nodes and surrounding skin.
- Stage 4: By this stage, the cancer spreads (metastasizes) to other parts of the body, like the brain, lungs, liver, or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Dermatologists refer to this as distant metastatic or advanced melanoma.
When to Visit Your Dermatologist
If you suspect precancerous or cancerous growths on your skin, visit your medical dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. We do not recommend waiting for these indicators to “simply go away.”
Even if these surface concerns are just hyperpigmentation or irritated skin, early detection of melanoma in Nags Head minimizes the need for surgical procedures. If your dermatologist clears the spots as cosmetic only, our skin care treatments can reduce unwanted dark spots and restore smoother skin.
At BeachGlo Aesthetics, we recommend our patients visit their medical dermatologist for a routine skin exam at least once a year. Individuals with a history of sun damage or atypical moles may schedule more frequent appointments to monitor their condition.
Preventing Melanoma
Preventing skin cancers like melanoma is the key for healthy, happy skin. Our team recommends these best practices to care of your complexion:
- Apply Sunscreen Regularly: UV radiation causes over 80% of skin cancer cases. While it may seem tempting to trade proper sun protection for a darker tan, reapply an SPF 30+ sunscreen every 2 hours to minimize your risk of skin damage.
- Avoid Tanning Beds: Sunbeds and tanning lamps increase the risk of developing skin cancer due to the intensity of the radiation—they are up to 10 to 15 times more intense than the midday sun.
- Schedule Laser Treatments: Sun damage treatments, such as the Tetra CO2 CoolPeel, gently remove the uppermost layers of damaged skin.
Protect Your Skin’s Future
At BeachGlo Aesthetics, we help you love the skin you’re in—and that includes protecting it from UV radiation. Interested in learning more sun protection tips or addressing the aesthetic side of sun damage? Our team is ready to preserve your natural beauty.
Related Article: Hand Rejuvenation: Your Options at BeachGlo
