This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Aaron Brasuell and the name of the skin care clinic. 

A local skin care clinic is offering a free, and important service to all members of the community this year.
Eric N. Tabor, M.D., The Complete Skin Care and Laser Center, in Picayune is providing free mole checks to any patient, regardless of insurance coverage, Aaron Brasuell, a physician assistant at Tabor’s clinic, said.
Because the insurance industry has seen a lot of changes in recent years,Brasuell said some patients may not be covered for dermatology care or cannot afford it.
As a result, Tabor’s clinic decided to offer this important service to the community.
Braswell said he haspracticed for over eight years, along with many of his coworkers. Tabor has specialized in health and skin care in the Picayune area for over 20 years.
Most of their patients receive care for acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis, while only about five or 10 percent receive cosmetic treatment, Brasuell said.
Whether a patient has a history of abnormal moles or not, it’s important to consult a medical professional if any abnormality is noticed, Brasuell said.
The ABCDE acronym is the best way to help patients determine when they need to have a mole checked by a dermatologist, he said.
ABCDE—meaning asymmetry, bordering, color variation, diameter and evolving—is also used by dermatologists in conjunction with a biopsy to determine if a mole needs to be removed, Brasuell said.
After a biopsy, it takes bout seven to 10 days to receive a report from the pathologist, he said.
For patients that are more prone to moles, they don’t all have to be removed even if several are abnormal, he said.
Brasuell said patients should be on the lookout for what doctors call “the ugly duckling syndrome,” a mole that has a noticeable difference from others.
A hair stylist or barber can also feel moles hidden on the scalp, which can be best analyzed by a specialist, Brasuell said.
If not addressed, moles can turn into skin cancer, some of which can be aggressive, he said.
Half of all melanoma cases are due to sun exposure, Brasuell said.
He recommends using sunscreen daily, not just during the summer or when going to outdoor events. Protective clothing and hats can also reduce the damaging effect of the sun, Brasuell said, in addition to staying out of tanning beds.
People with lighter skin are more prone to sun damage, but those with an olive or darker complexion are still susceptible to sun damage and abnormal moles, he said.

For more information, contact any of the medical experts at the office of Dr. Tabor at 601-749-9500.