Summer Skin Checks in Coffs Harbour: Why a Doctor Should Look First

Summer on the Mid North Coast means beach mornings at Park Beach, weekends on the water and long afternoons outdoors. It also means months of strong sun. As the days warm up this November, it’s a good time to think about a skin check with a doctor, so you head into summer knowing where your skin stands.

At Almeda Healthcare on Albany Street, our practice has a special interest in skin cancer medicine, and our Almeda Aesthetics team works alongside the doctors under the same roof. Here’s why we start with a doctor-led skin check.

Speak with your GP about whether a skin check is right for you.

Why skin checks matter on the Mid North Coast

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, and life on the NSW coast often means a lot of time in the sun across the year. Cancer Council Australia notes that when skin cancer is found early, it is highly treatable — which is why getting to know your skin, and seeing a doctor about changes, is worth building into your routine.

November is also when Cancer Council’s National Skin Cancer Action Week (15–22 November 2026) reminds Australians to check their skin and protect it from the sun. It’s a timely nudge before the summer holidays.

What happens at a skin check at Almeda Healthcare

A skin check is a straightforward appointment with one of our doctors. Every person is different, but it generally includes:

• A chat about your history. Your doctor will ask about past sun exposure, any previous skin cancers and your family history.
• A full body examination. Your doctor examines your skin, including areas that are hard to see yourself, and may use a dermatoscope for a closer look at spots of concern.
• Mole mapping where it is appropriate. Full body mole mapping is not recommended for everyone. For some people — for example those with many moles or a higher melanoma risk — tracking moles over time can help spot changes. Your doctor can advise whether it suits you. See Skin Cancer Medicine.
• A plan for anything that needs attention. If a spot needs a closer look, your doctor will talk you through the options that may be suitable for you. Depending on the spot, that discussion can include monitoring, non-surgical options such as cryotherapy, or an excision in our clinic.

Signs worth getting checked sooner

Don’t wait for a routine check if you notice:

• a new spot, or a spot that looks different from the others
• a mole that changes in size, shape or colour
• a sore that doesn’t heal
• a spot that itches, bleeds or feels different

If something changes, book in with your GP.

Why a skin check comes before cosmetic lesion removal

Many people come to Almeda Aesthetics wanting a skin tag, sun spot or other lump looked at for cosmetic reasons. The clinic can discuss cosmetic removal of benign (non-cancerous) lesions — including options that use plasma fibroblast technology rather than a scalpel — but a skin check with one of our doctors is required first. That is clinic policy, and it is there so the right lesion gets the right care, whether that is medical treatment or a cosmetic pathway.

Having a GP skin cancer clinic and an aesthetics clinic in the same practice makes that step straightforward.

Looking after your skin through summer

Once you’ve had your skin check (if your GP advised one), a few everyday habits go a long way in a Coffs Harbour summer. Cancer Council recommends using all five sun-protection steps whenever the UV Index is 3 or above:

• Slip, slop, slap, seek and slide. Cover up, use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen, wear a broad-brim hat, find shade and wear sunglasses that meet Australian standards.
• Reapply sunscreen regularly, especially after swimming or sweating (about every two hours when outdoors).
• Plan outdoor time around the strongest UV part of the day where you can.
• Ask about your skincare. If you have concerns about sun damage, pigmentation or uneven skin tone, you can book a consultation with our aesthetics team to talk through options that may suit you. No treatment is one-size-fits-all.

Book a skin check in Coffs Harbour

Whether it’s your first skin check or a regular one, our team is here to help. Almeda Healthcare is at 68 Albany Street, Coffs Harbour, open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Call (02) 6652 4599, email reception@almedahc.com.au, or book an appointment.

This article is general information only and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. Speak with your GP about whether a skin check is right for you. A consultation is required before any treatment, and individual outcomes vary.