Summer Is Over: Is It Time to Check Your Moles?
Summer sends most of us outdoors more than any other season, and by early September that means several months of extra sun exposure have quietly accumulated on our skin. Dermatologists use this point in the year to make the same simple point every time: now is a sensible moment to actually look at your skin, properly, rather than just moisturise it.
Key takeaways
Melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK reached a record high in 2026, according to Cancer Research UK, making early September a sensible time for a proper self-check.
The ABCDE guide (Asymmetry, Border, Colour, Diameter, Evolution) from the British Association of Dermatologists is the standard way to assess a mole at home.
Early-stage melanoma has a very high survival rate; late diagnosis significantly reduces it, which is why acting on changes promptly matters more than the check itself.
Any mole that is new, changing, itching, bleeding or simply looks different to your others should be assessed by your GP, not by an aesthetics clinic.
A skin health consultation at Haus of Ästhetik can support your general skin care, but it is not a substitute for GP or dermatology assessment of a suspicious lesion.
Why Early Autumn Is the Moment Dermatologists Flag
Ultraviolet damage does not announce itself immediately. Changes in a mole or the appearance of a new one can take weeks or months to become visible after the sun exposure that triggered them, which is part of why late summer and early autumn are when clinicians see a rise in people presenting with new or altered lesions. If you have spent time abroad, in the Peak District sunshine, or simply out and about over the summer months, this is a reasonable point in the year to take five minutes and look properly.
Cancer Research UK reported that melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK reached a record high in 2026, and incidence is projected to keep rising over the next decade. Melanoma is now the fifth most common cancer in the UK, with roughly 19,400 new diagnoses each year. None of this is intended to alarm; it is simply the evidence behind why a seasonal self-check is worth ten minutes of anyone's time.
The ABCDE Guide to Checking a Mole
The British Association of Dermatologists recommends the ABCDE framework as a straightforward way to assess whether a mole warrants a GP appointment. None of these signs alone confirms a problem, and most moles are entirely harmless, but the combination is what a clinician will be looking for too.
Asymmetry: one half of the mole does not match the other.
Border: the edges are irregular, blurred, notched or ragged rather than smooth.
Colour: uneven shading, or new shades of black, brown, pink, purple or white within the same mole.
Diameter: a mole larger than around 6mm (roughly the size of a pencil eraser), though melanomas can occasionally be smaller.
Evolution: any change in size, shape, colour, texture, or a mole that becomes itchy, sore or starts to bleed.
A useful habit is to photograph moles you want to keep an eye on, dated, so genuine change over weeks becomes obvious rather than a guess. If anyone in your family has had melanoma, or you have a large number of moles, unusually pale skin, or a history of sunburn, it is worth checking more regularly and mentioning this to your GP.
What Happens If You Do See Your GP
If a GP is concerned about a mole, NICE guidance (NG12, suspected cancer recognition and referral) sets out when a two week wait referral to a dermatology or skin cancer specialist should be made, so that anything of concern is assessed quickly rather than sitting on a routine waiting list. This pathway exists precisely because early diagnosis makes such a substantial difference: current UK data suggests more than nine in ten people diagnosed with melanoma now survive ten years or more, compared with under half in the 1970s, and that improvement is largely down to earlier detection and treatment, not a change in the disease itself.
Where a Clinic Skin Consultation Fits In, and Where It Doesn't
At Haus of Ästhetik, every treatment begins with a personal consultation and skin assessment, and part of good practice is being honest about the limits of that assessment. We are an aesthetics clinic, not a dermatology or oncology service. If, during a consultation, we notice a mole or lesion that looks as though it warrants medical attention, our practice is to say so clearly and direct you to your GP rather than to proceed with any cosmetic treatment on or near that area. That is simply good governance, and it is what any CQC-regulated provider should do.
Where a general skin health consultation can help is in supporting the skin you already have, once anything of medical concern has been ruled out: sun damage, texture, hydration, and the sort of seasonal changes that are entirely cosmetic rather than clinical. The two things are not in competition; a GP check and a skin consultation simply answer different questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I check my moles?
Most dermatology advice suggests a monthly self-check, particularly if you have a large number of moles, fair skin, or a family history of melanoma. Early autumn, after a summer of increased sun exposure, is simply a sensible prompt to start or restart the habit.
Can a beauty or aesthetics clinic diagnose skin cancer?
No. Diagnosis of a suspicious mole or lesion requires a GP or dermatologist, usually followed by dermoscopy or biopsy where appropriate. An aesthetics clinic can flag a concern and encourage you to seek that assessment, but should never attempt to diagnose or treat it.
Is it too late to check if summer has already passed?
Not at all. Skin changes from summer sun exposure can continue to appear for weeks or months afterwards, which is exactly why early autumn checks matter, rather than only checking during the sunniest months.
This article is general skincare information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Any treatment is provided only after a personal consultation and suitability assessment. Haus of Ästhetik, Bakewell, Derbyshire.
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