News and blog

Skin cancer news

News and articles about skin cancers and conditions, treatments, prevention and more.

Clinic announcements

Announcements about Spot Check Clinic services and staff.

Treating rosacea on the face

Treating rosacea on the face

12
 
Feb 2023

Facial rosacea is a long-term skin condition that gets better and worse over time. While symptoms are worse, it’s often treated with prescription creams, oral antibiotics or laser. At other times, it can be successfully managed by a combination of careful skin care and avoiding triggers.

Understanding the different types of moles

Understanding the different types of moles

30
 
Jan 2023

A mole (also known as a naevus) is a cluster of melanocytes, the cells which give the skin its colour. Moles come in many colours and shapes. People are sometimes alarmed when they notice a different-looking mole on their skin, but in most cases these moles pose no health risk.

Where to get moles checked: Finding a clinic to perform a mole check

Where to get moles checked: Finding a clinic to perform a mole check

30
 
Jan 2023

Choosing the right person or clinic for a mole check or skin check is a crucial step in detecting skin cancer. Your own GP might have experience in diagnosing and treating skin cancers. If not, a skin cancer clinic can be a suitable alternative. This article describes some of the factors you should take into consideration when deciding where to have your skin checked.

When to get a mole checked: Signs it’s time to schedule a check-up for your moles

When to get a mole checked: Signs it’s time to schedule a check-up for your moles

30
 
Jan 2023

When should you have moles checked? Should a doctor check all of your skin for cancer, or just individual moles? In this article, we discuss ways of deciding whether you should have a skin cancer check or a mole check, and when is the best time.

Mole vs. freckle: Understanding the difference between moles and freckles

Mole vs. freckle: Understanding the difference between moles and freckles

21
 
Aug 2022

Moles and freckles are two of the most common spots on the skin. In most cases they're harmless and don’t require treatment. This article addresses some frequently asked questions about the difference between moles and freckles, and how they relate to the risk of skin cancer.

Pigmentation removal

Pigmentation removal

02
 
Apr 2022

Excessive skin pigmentation is often a sign of long-term sun exposure and in itself isn’t harmful (although it can be a sign of sun-damaged skin which is at risk of developing cancer). Many people with skin pigmentation find it unsightly. For these people, multiple pigmentation removal treatments are available. Spot Check Clinic offers BBL intense pulsed light treatment which can be highly effective in treating pigmentation due to sun exposure.

Freckle removal treatment: Options for freckle removal

Freckle removal treatment: Options for freckle removal

20
 
Mar 2022

Freckles are patches of pigmentation on the skin, usually caused by long term sun exposure. They aren’t dangerous and don’t require medical treatment, but some people want freckle removal treatment for cosmetic reasons. The most effective treatment for removing freckles is light-based treatment such as laser or BBL intense pulsed light. Careful skin care and avoiding excessive sun exposure are essential to keep pigmentation to a minimum.

Rosacea triggers: Understanding the causes of rosacea

Rosacea triggers: Understanding the causes of rosacea

07
 
Mar 2022

One of the most distressing symptoms of rosacea is facial flushing and redness. This often occurs as a “flare-up”, which can be brought on by external influences known as triggers. An important and effective part of rosacea management is to identify and reduce exposure to triggers.

IPL treatment for rosacea

IPL treatment for rosacea

07
 
Mar 2022

Light-based treatments such as intense pulsed light (IPL) and laser are a fast and effective way of treating redness and visible blood vessels on the face caused by rosacea. A series of treatments usually results in marked improvement of redness and blood vessels on the face.

Are moles cancerous? How to tell if your moles may be cancer

Are moles cancerous? How to tell if your moles may be cancer

14
 
Feb 2022

Are moles cancerous? It depends on what you mean by “mole”! Most of our patients think of coloured and/or raised spots on their skin as moles — this means that yes, some “moles” actually are skin cancers. This article provides some tips on figuring out which moles are more likely to skin cancers, and what we can do about it if they are.

Non-surgical treatments for non-melanoma skin cancers

Non-surgical treatments for non-melanoma skin cancers

04
 
Feb 2022

Some early skin cancers affect only the top layers of the skin. Although they can be removed surgically, there are other methods of treatment which may offer advantages such as less scarring or expense.

You're probably not applying enough sunscreen

You're probably not applying enough sunscreen

25
 
Jan 2022

Even if you're using SPF50+ sunscreen every day, there's a good chance you aren't properly protected by sunscreen.

New, quicker treatment for solar keratoses

New, quicker treatment for solar keratoses

18
 
Jan 2022

The most effective topical treatment for solar keratoses ("sun spots") now takes four days instead of four weeks.

Children and skin checks

Children and skin checks

11
 
Dec 2021

It can be concerning when your child starts to develop new moles and spots, especially if they've had recent sun exposure. But in almost all children, the risk of skin cancer is very low and routine screening isn't recommended.

Diabetes medication can reduce skin cancer risk

Diabetes medication can reduce skin cancer risk

07
 
Nov 2021

A medication commonly used for diabetes has been shown to have the desirable side effect of reducing the risk of basal cell carcinoma.

Sunscreen recall

Sunscreen recall

20
 
Aug 2021

Johnson & Johnson is recalling its spray-on sunscreen due to the possible presence of benzene.

Treatments for scars after procedures

Treatments for scars after procedures

15
 
Aug 2021

All surgical procedures leave scars, which are sometimes unsightly and uncomfortable. We're now offering new treatments to help prevent overgrown scars, and reduce existing ones.

Our favourite sunscreen

Our favourite sunscreen

11
 
Aug 2021

There’s no single “best” sunscreen for everyone in all situations. The “best” sunscreen for you, is the one you are most likely to use... but this one ticks all the boxes.

Ingenol mebutate withdrawn

Ingenol mebutate withdrawn

30
 
Jul 2021

Ingenol mebutate, a treatment for solar keratoses, has been associated with an increase in skin cancer diagnoses in people who have used it. As from late 2020, it has been withdrawn from sale in Australia.

Broadband light “rejuvenates” skin cells

Broadband light “rejuvenates” skin cells

26
 
Jul 2021

Intense pulsed light is a convenient and effective way of making the skin look younger to observers. Biopsies of treated skin have shown that the skin also resembles younger skin microscopically, and also expresses genes in a way similar to younger skin.

Vitamin E doesn't enhance wound healing

Vitamin E doesn't enhance wound healing

26
 
Jul 2021

Vitamin E is commonly applied to scars with the intention of speeding wound healing and improving the appearance. In fact, studies have shown that it provides neither of these benefits and might lead to worse outcomes.

IPL skin rejuvenation clinic Melbourne: facial and skin treatment
04
 
Mar 2023
IPL (intense pulsed light) is a treatment for sun-damaged skin and other skin conditions. Spot Check Clinic uses IPL therapy for removal of freckles (“age spots”), facial redness and capillaries (“spider veins”), skin tightening, rosacea, hair removal, scar reduction and some skin cancers and pre-cancer lesions.
Skin rejuvenation clinic
12
 
Feb 2023
As well as offering skin cancer screening and treatments, we’re also a skin and facial rejuvenation clinic, with treatments for pigmentation, visible vessels, unwanted moles, fine wrinkles and other signs of sun-damaged and ageing skin.
Appointments at short notice
30
 
Jan 2023
If you are concerned about a spot and can't book an early appointment online, call us on 03 9098 7474. We'll do our best to see you in 1-2 days.
Skin checks, mole mapping and private health insurance
28
 
Jan 2023
Unfortunately Medicare doesn't pay any rebate toward molemapping, and neither do the biggest private health insurers. Fortunately, many Australian private health insurers do contribute to the cost of skin checks and mole mapping. We've compiled a list of some of these insurers.
Save time by sending us a photo of your mole
21
 
Aug 2022
Thinking of having a mole, skin tag, angioma or other unwanted lump or spot removed? There are a few ways of doing this and we want to make sure we choose the right one. Save time on an initial consultation by sending photos of your mole.
Rosacea services now available
20
 
Mar 2022
Rosacea is made worse by heat, sun exposure and wearing a mask. We are seeing a lot of it lately! We now offer a range of treatments including BBL intense pulsed light, prescription medications and non-prescription skin products.
Photodynamic treatment now available
30
 
Jan 2023
Introducing photodynamic therapy for skin cancers and solar keratoses. Excellent cosmetic results without surgery or weeks of treatment.
Low scarring mole removal now available
20
 
Nov 2021
Unsightly raised moles and seborhoeic keratoses are easy to treat, but the treatment often leaves scars. We're now offering removal of raised skin lesions using radiofrequency surgery, which results in less scarring than other methods.