What should you know about melanoma from sun?

Ultraviolet radiation can injure the DNA of skin cells. Repeated exposure and episodes of sunburn can add to that damage, while inherited traits and other factors also influence melanoma risk. Sunlight is therefore one contributor, not a way to identify the cause of a particular mole.

Melanoma may appear as a new mark or a change in an existing one. Look for asymmetry, an irregular edge, several colours, growth, or a spot that stands out from the rest. These features are prompts for assessment, not a diagnosis. A clinician may use dermoscopy and recommend biopsy when needed.

Use shade, tightly woven clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunscreen on exposed skin. Reapply sunscreen as directed, especially after sweating or swimming. Avoid deliberate tanning and take extra care around reflective surfaces such as water or pale sand. These habits protect skin but do not replace checking existing marks.

If a suspicious lesion is found, treatment may involve surgical excision. The biopsy and examination determine whether further staging, surveillance, or treatments such as immunotherapy should be considered.

Book a prompt skin assessment for a mole that changes in size, shape, colour, or sensation; a new unusual mark; a sore that does not heal; or bleeding without a clear explanation. Seek urgent care for uncontrolled bleeding, rapidly spreading redness with fever, or severe pain. Sunburn itself can also need medical attention when blistering is extensive or illness develops.

Does this mark need dermoscopy or biopsy? How should I protect my skin in the UAE climate? Which areas should I check, including less sun-exposed skin? How will you monitor this lesion if biopsy is not needed?