Is It A Mole or Melanoma? This Might Save Your Life! | Dermatologist Tips

Is that spot on your skin a normal mole…or is it a deadly Melanoma? Watch this video to learn the difference! It just might save your life…

My "Best Of" Sunscreens:
*This one includes a high concentration of iron oxides (especially great for hyperpigmentation and Melasma)

My Skincare Routine Staples!

***SHOP MY SHELF! All my top skincare picks are here, organized by Video topic :)

***SHOP My Amazon Storefront:

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:49 Is Melanoma Deadly?
01:15 The MOST Important Part of This Video
01:41 Where Does Melanoma Occur on the Body?
02:02 You MUST Do This…
02:25 Tip #1
03:22 How Do You Diagnose A Melanoma?
03:44 Tip #2
04:21 Tip #3
04:58 Tip #4
05:55 Tip #5
06:45 PICTURE QUIZ! Is This Melanoma?
08:18 Final Thoughts

Check out my other Videos!
The Problem With Sunscreens! | Check For THIS Ingredient To Get Complete Protection

Is A Moisturizer with SPF Enough Protection? | Drugstore Product Favorites

My Top BUDGET Sunscreen Pick! | The Budget Dermatologist

Your Perfect Sunscreen Match? | The Budget Dermatologist | Skincare Made Simple

Do NOT Buy This Trendy Product! | What to Buy INSTEAD For Blue Light Protection

How To Shop For Supergoop! Sunscreen | Product Reviews by The Budget Dermatologist

Sunscreen Linked To Hair Loss! Everything You Need To Know

How To Get Glowing Skin | Anti-aging Tip by The Budget Dermatologist

*This description contains affiliate links. I may earn from qualifying purchases. This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

✨Social Media✨
Instagram: @TheBudgetDermatologist

Disclaimer: This content is created for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your viewing, commenting or subscribing to this YouTube channel does not create a physician-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read/listened to on this channel. The statements made about specific products are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

[socialdgirl]

I appreciate you presenting the information in a clear and non panicking way. I had a few weird moles show up but I have been to scared to go get checked out and never have been to a dermatologist. I will call them tomorrow morning and make an appointment.

[ljay]

My personal experience: 6 months MINIMUM for a new patient to get in to see a dermatologist. Have more than ONE mole to be checked out? Oh, THAT requires additional appointments and that will be, yep, in 6 months. Did I make the appointment? Yes, but then the office called a few days before and had to reschedule months later. Real life is NOT "oh, and go see your doctor with any concerns". The wait for the appointment to be seen is what may actually kill you.

[foodforthought]

In my case it was a freckle on my chest, just above my left breast. I woke up one morning and had scratched raw and I called my dr. He saw me immediately. In undertaking he surface “itch” I couldn’t get to. He sent me immediately that afternoon for a biopsy and I was checked over for any other suspect areas and 3 places were found and also tested. I had stage 4 melanoma and had surgery on the area of my chest to remove it in 2000. I chose no chemo or radiation and to treat my body with food as my medicine. I dont drink or smoke cigarettes and 22 years later here I am. Blessed.

[pats]

I thought for sure that some of my moles, due to the weird looks of some, would be one of the skin cancer. I scared myself into avoiding a dermatologist for years. I made myself nervous worrying about it all the time. I finally said I have to see a dermatologist. I went and found out I have several skin conditions, but no cancers. I will continue to see my dermatologist every year. It's definitely worth the peace of mind.

[jencgriffin]

Showed my Dr a spot on cheek that had appeared and gotten bigger. She said it was just a sunspot and not to worry. Well, I worried and insisted on a referral to see a dermatologist.. It was stage II Melanoma. Had Mohs surgery. Listen to your gut ❤️

[megamaze]

None of my 3 melanomas were textbook. I just had a STRONG gut feeling and I am lucky enough to have a wonderful dermatologist who listens to me.

[flov]

Very serious topic. My husband died a little over 29 years ago as a result of late stage melanoma. Since then I have recurring appointments at the dermatologist.

[bdet]

It would have been helpful to see how melanoma presents on dark skin.

[k.h.]

Such an important topic. My Husband was diagnosed with melanoma at 42. It presented as dry skin. Could have killed him if he kept dismissing it at dry skin. Super important to see your dermatologist.

[lorrainestrickland]

My malignant melanoma, stage 3, was dark brown, perfectly round, no jagged borders. It popped up above my shin so the removal of the cancer and surrounding tissue required a skin graft. To say I am paranoid about new skin tags or what I might think is a mole would be an understatement.

[tcusack]

Hello. I am a 2 time melnoma survivor. Last time was stage 4 metastatic. I first got it at 46 and then 48 and now in remission. People list to this video. Tracy from Canada.

[amyhon]

I had a mole on my lower left leg for over 20 years and brought it up every time I went to the doctor - was told it was an innocent nevus. in late 2015 I noticed that the mole was changing - in around march 2016 I brought it up to my doctor again and she referred me to a dermatologist. The dermatologist immediately recognized that it was cancer and did a biopsy. I was fortunate that the biopsy showed that it was a stage 1A (stage 0 would have been better) considering the length of time I had the mole. I had a wide local excision and am now considered cured. I see a dermatologist every year for a skin check and I see my cancer doctors every year now.

[mindysr]

Have ANY spot that you feel weird about checked by a dermatologist. I listened to Fran Drescher and my gut and got a weird spot checked out by a dermatologist. Turns out it was Merkel cell carcinoma, 5 times more deadly than melanoma, but I caught it in stage 1 and am fine 5 years later. Please check out anything on your skin that you find disturbing!

[judygraczyk]

My daughter was recently diagnosed with melanoma of the vulva. She was treated for sometime for UTI and then probable infection of Bartholins. By the time she was diagnosed it was huge, and metastasized to lymph glands. Now invading the rectum and vagina. Be aware that you can have melanoma of the mucous membranes, rare but possible.

[yellowrose]

My mom's melanoma was a red "cut" that just wouldn't heal. Now I am so serious about sunscreen and educating myself. Thank you for the video!

[Theomite]

Let's play another game: "How much do I have to drink so I can sleep tonight after watching this video?"

[PearlJamAndBiscuits]

Every couple of years I see a dermatologist for a mole check. Im 54 and was in the sun alot when I was young, Im covered in moles and sun spots so its just a good idea to have a professional look at them from time to time.

[CampMom]

Such an important topic! Thank you for the clear, concise information. Due to my family history, I'm vigilant and check myself often. Thank God I also see a dermatologist because I had a melanoma on my inner shoulder that I couldn't see. A 2nd pair of eyes saved my life.

[laurab]

Thank you for highlighting the fact that melanoma “can occur ANYWHERE you have skin, even where the sun doesn’t shine”. My mom died of urethral melanoma (skin by her vagina).

[TheShiatsuKitty]

This video is very informative but also a Petri dish of paranoia for hypochondriacs like me lol. My ultimate takeaway is to be vigilant in tracking changes and also get regular examinations. And have partners or relatives look in places that are hard to see.

I am laden with moles, mostly on my back but all over, really. Have had many since birth. Have probably had 20 removed in my life, and I’m 33.

Recently I started getting concerned, as, being very hairy, once I shaved my back it became clear how many were concealed, and some looked atypical. I paid out of pocket to the tune of $3, 000 (on a Care Credit payment plan) to have 12 shaved and biopsied, which is a veritable steal in Los Angeles. My dermatologist seemed surprised that I wanted so many taken off, as none concerned him. To my pleasant surprise, all came back benign and none atypical, and I’ve got probably and other 5-6 that I will want removed soon.

The American insurance system probably kills many people because they refuse coverage for “cosmetic” procedures and those who can’t afford treatment and push off preventative care until something reaches a terminal state. To that extent, I also had a lipoma removed from my back 3 years ago for $600 out of pocket, as PPO insurance wouldn’t cover that either.