Quick answer
To check your scalp for skin cancer, part your hair systematically with a comb under bright light, use a hand mirror with a wall mirror to see the back of your head, and photograph anything new or changing. See a GP for any sore that won't heal, a rough scaly patch, a bleeding lump or a new mole on the scalp.
TL;DR: Key Takeaways
- The scalp is the most-missed zone in skin self-checks.
- Hair hides moles, scaly patches and small bleeding lumps.
- Bald and balding people are at higher risk.
- Check monthly with a comb, hand mirror and bright light.
- Any sore that hasn't healed in 4 weeks deserves a GP visit.
Why the scalp is the highest-miss zone
The scalp gets significant UV exposure — especially in Australia — but it's the hardest place to inspect yourself. Hair hides moles. The top and back of your head are out of normal sight lines. And scaly scalp patches are routinely dismissed as dandruff or psoriasis when they're actually actinic keratoses or early squamous cell carcinoma.
What to look for on the scalp
- A new mole anywhere on the scalp
- A rough, scaly or crusted patch that doesn't peel off
- A small bleeding lump or pimple-like spot that won't heal
- A sore or scab present more than 4 weeks
- A patch of different colour — pink, red, brown, black — among the hair
Use the ABCDE rule on any pigmented spot you find.
How to do a scalp self-check (mirror + phone method)
- 1. Stand with your back to a wall mirror, holding a hand mirror in front.
- 2. Under bright overhead light, part your hair in narrow rows with a fine comb.
- 3. Work systematically: front hairline → crown → back → behind ears.
- 4. Photograph anything you're unsure about with your phone.
- 5. Ask a partner, hairdresser or barber to flag anything they spot.
Found a scalp spot you're unsure about?
Run ScanSkinAI's free 30-second AI skin check in your browser — no app, no signup, designed for between-visits triage.
When it's time for a GP visit
- Any sore on the scalp that hasn't healed in 4 weeks
- Any new lump or scab that bleeds when combed
- A rough patch your fingertip can feel through the hair
- A new mole on the scalp at any age
Most early scalp skin cancers are curable with a small excision. Don't wait for them to grow. See our Australian skin check guide for what happens at the appointment.
"Your hairdresser sees the top of your head more often than you do. Ask them to flag anything that looks different."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Hair hides moles, lesions and rough patches. You can't easily see the top or back of your own head, and many scalp cancers (especially squamous cell and basal cell) present as scaly or crusted patches that get dismissed as dandruff.
A new or changing mole, a sore that won't heal, a rough scaly patch, a small lump that bleeds easily, or a discoloured patch among the hair. Any of these on the scalp warrants a GP visit.
Use a hand mirror with a wall mirror to see the back of your head, or get someone to part your hair systematically with a comb under good light. Smartphone photos help — compare them month to month.
Yes. Scalp UV exposure increases sharply when there's less hair cover, and risk rises with age. Hats are the simplest preventative.
Any new lump, scab, bleeding spot or scaly patch that's been there more than 4 weeks. Don't wait for it to grow — early scalp skin cancers are usually curable with a small excision.