Skin Health

Skin health

Skin cancer is a year-round issue. More than 300 New Zealanders die from skin cancer every year. See below to find out active ways to protect yourself against the danger of developing skin cancer.

HillMed Health Centre offers full skin checks, skin biopsies, excisions of lesions, cryotherapy and ongoing surveillance for melanoma patients.

Make an appointment for your annual skin check today.

Specialist Skin Check Appointments

Our skin check appointments take 30 minutes so please be sure to tell the receptionist when you book in for a Skin Check.

FOR YOU - YOUR FAMILY - YOUR EMPLOYEES

Skin cancer is a year-round issue. More than 300 New Zealanders die from skin cancer every year.

We have in-house doctors who have specialist training in Dermoscopy (examination of skin lesions with a magnification device) which helps them in identifying benign (non-cancerous) from malignant lesions.

You can actively protect yourself against the danger of developing skin cancer by keeping your body and head covered up as much as possible and by regularly applying a 30+ broad spectrum sunscreen.

You are still at risk of sunburn and skin cancer on a cooler or cloudy day. Sunbeds emit UV radiation, so are not a safe option for getting a tan. A fake tan or spray tan is the way to go.

Some people are more at risk of developing skin cancer than others.

Risk factors include:

Having fair skin or skin that burns easily
Having a lot of freckles or moles
Being aged 50 or over
Intense exposure to the sun, e.g. sunbathing, working outdoors
Having had skin cancer in the past
Having a close relative who has had melanoma
Having a compromised immune system

Remember, you are still at risk of sunburn and skin cancer on a cooler or cloudy day. Sunbeds emit UV radiation, so are not a safe option for getting a tan. A fake tan, or spray tan, is the way to go.

What can you do?

Avoid being in the sun between the peak UV radiation periods of 10am to 3pm
Seek shade and wear clothing that covers your shoulders, arms and legs
Wear a broad-brimmed hat that shades your face, neck and ears.
Apply SPF 30+ broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen at least every 2 hours
Wear wrap-around sunglasses
Get to know you own skin, check regularly for changes to moles or new moles
Get relatives or friends to help you check Visit a skin doctor each year, or more regularly if advised by your GP.