15 Dec Have You Maximized Your HSA for 2022? Schedule an Annual Skin Exam!
The new year is right around the corner, and for many people it’s time to hustle and make the most of insurance policies and HSA accounts. At RefinedMD, we offer both medical and cosmetic procedures for your skin care, and many of these procedures are qualifiable expenses under your HSA. However, do check with your HSA first as every policy is different. Most people know they need to see their general practitioner and dentist at least once a year for an annual exam. But is an annual skin exam on your to-do list?
It should be! Skin cancer is the deadliest form of cancer in the United States—and it’s also the easiest to treat when caught early. Skin cancer such as melanoma doesn’t always look “obvious.” However, red flags such as moles with irregular borders, which have changed shapes, or with discoloration within the mole (not one solid color) can be a sign of skin cancer. These are just the basic signs; many people are diagnosed with skin cancer even when moles don’t fall into the typical presentations.
Don’t have any moles at all? That doesn’t mean you can’t get skin cancer. Most people don’t wear sunscreen as they should, which means applied any time the skin is exposed to the sun (even indoors when sitting by a window) and reapplied every two hours. However, skin cancer isn’t the only concern that yearly skin checks can help stay on top of. These critical exams can also help with the diagnosis of eczema, acne, psoriasis, dandruff, and a variety of skin conditions.
Start Your Mole-Tracking Journey
One of the major markers of skin cancer is moles that change shape as an adult. However, most people don’t pay a lot of attention to mole shape, borders, and colors until something is seriously suspicious. We see ourselves and our skin every day—or at least some of it. What about the skin and moles on your back or in your scalp?
Tracking moles with the latest dermatological technology keeps you and your medical team abreast of any changes. Mole mapping uses the latest technology to track, record, and watch any changes to the skin over time. Plus, remember that only a skin expert can determine if a mole is actually suspicious and in need of a biopsy.
Removing Skin Tags
Skin tags are completely benign and harmless, but they can be annoying. Fortunately, they are easy to remove with a few approaches we have available including laser skin resurfacing. Skin tags often look like warts and are usually skin-colored. However, they can range in color and be up to two-inches wide. Most skin tags are small and are often found on the neck, near the groin, below the breasts, or in the armpits.
Although anyone can develop a skin tag, they’re most common in people who are overweight or obese and in those with diabetes. Skin rubbing together is more common for those who are overweight, and the friction can cause skin tags in some people. That’s why they’re so common in places where the skin touches. However, that isn’t always the case.
Look Better Quick
Skin tags are the most common bump on the human body and can take on a stalk-like shape. In some cases, there is no apparent cause for them. However, not only do some people consider them unsightly, they can also get in the way of clothes and getting dressed. When a skin tag gets caught on clothing, it can be painful.
Removing a skin tag is quick, easy, and painless. The results are immediate with no down time necessary. The skin tag spot might be a different color or a little red and sore for a few days post-treatment. If the discoloration is bothersome, additional laser skin resurfacing treatments can reduce hyperpigmentation.
End-Of-Year Checklist
There is no risk of a skin tag turning into cancer or any other dangerous condition. They’re simply an overgrowth that happens naturally in many people. They won’t grow back, but a person with one skin tag is simply more inclined to develop others, usually in a different area. Skin tags can always be removed in a simple outpatient procedure.
Do you have skin tags that have been bothering you? Haven’t had a mole check in awhile? Want to make the most of your HSA? Contact RefinedMD to schedule an appointment today.