Talking about skin cancer in Colorado Springs starts with understanding why our elevation and outdoor lifestyle can put residents at higher risk — a lesson Dr. Michael Leslie has learned firsthand over more than a decade of practice. For Dr. Michael Leslie, practicing dermatology in Colorado Springs has been more than diagnosing and treating skin conditions.
Over the past 12 years with Vanguard Skin Specialists, Dr. Leslie has cared for patients throughout Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Canon City, building relationships and learning from the people and communities he serves. As a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist specializing in general and surgical dermatology, dermatopathology, and the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer, Dr. Leslie brings a combination of medical expertise and patient-centered care to every appointment.
But after more than a decade in Colorado, some of his most meaningful lessons have come directly from his patients.
Why Skin Cancer Prevention Matters in Colorado Springs
When Dr. Leslie started treating patients at Vanguard, something stood out: frequent diagnoses of skin cancer among the patients he cared for in Colorado Springs and Southern Colorado. He saw firsthand how, at higher elevations, less atmosphere is available to absorb ultraviolet (UV) radiation, increasing UV exposure compared with lower elevations.
For Colorado residents who spend significant time hiking, biking, skiing, golfing, or simply enjoying the outdoors, sun protection is an especially important part of everyday skin care.
“Given the active, outdoor lifestyle and significant sun exposure at Colorado’s elevation, I quickly saw how important skin cancer prevention and early detection are,” Dr. Leslie says.
That experience has shaped the way he approaches patient education. Rather than treating a concern after it develops, Dr. Leslie recommends prevention, daily sun protection, and regular skin checks.
“Prevention and regular skin checks are essential parts of maintaining lifelong skin health,” he explains.
Skin cancer can appear in many ways, including a new or changing spot, a lesion that looks different from others, or an area that itches, bleeds, or does not heal. Patients who notice a concerning change should have it evaluated by a dermatologist.
How Colorado’s Environment Can Affect Your Skin
Many of the conditions Dr. Leslie sees at Vanguard are influenced by his patients’ lifestyles and environmental exposures. He regularly treats sun-related concerns, including severe sunburns, photosensitivity reactions, and skin cancers, along with rashes, itching, and eczema flares.
“These factors make education about sun protection, skin care, and prevention an important part of the care I provide for my patients,” Dr. Leslie says.
For him, dermatology is not only about treating what’s happening today. It’s about helping patients understand how their environment and habits can affect their skin over time.
Sun-safe habits can help reduce UV damage, while regular self-checks and professional skin exams can help identify suspicious changes that may need further evaluation.
Dr. Leslie’s Patients Have Taught Him So Much
After 12 years of caring for patients at Vanguard, Dr. Leslie says some of his greatest lessons have come from the people sitting across from him in the exam room.
“My patients at Vanguard have taught me the importance of empathy and understanding when it comes to navigating the healthcare system,” he says. “Every patient has a unique experience.”
Patients throughout Southern Colorado can face very different circumstances when it comes to accessing specialty care. For those traveling from rural or remote communities, a dermatology appointment may require significant travel, time away from work or family, and additional planning. Those experiences have taught Dr. Leslie to listen, advocate for his patients, and consider the circumstances that can affect their ability to access care.
“These experiences have made me a more compassionate physician and reinforced how important it is to treat the whole person,” he says.
Dr. Leslie’s Advice for Preventing Skin Cancer in Colorado Springs
If Dr. Leslie could share one piece of advice with everyone living in Colorado Springs, it would be simple: protect your skin from the sun.
“Colorado’s high elevation means more intense UV exposure, so use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ mineral sunscreen daily and reapply every two hours,” he recommends. He also encourages patients to seek shade, wear protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, and pay attention to any changes in their skin.
These habits for skin cancer prevention are especially important during extended outdoor activities and around reflective surfaces such as snow, which can increase UV exposure.
Consistent sun protection can help reduce the risk of sunburn, premature skin aging, and skin cancer, while total body skin exams (TBSEs) can help identify concerning changes early.
Patients should also become familiar with their own skin. If a spot is new, changing, different from others, itching, bleeding, or otherwise concerning, scheduling an evaluation with a board-certified dermatologist can help determine whether further testing is needed.
Why Dr. Leslie Loves Practicing Dermatology in Colorado Springs
After more than a decade at Vanguard, what keeps Dr. Leslie passionate about caring for patients in Colorado Springs?
The relationships.
“I’ve been fortunate to build long-standing relationships with my patients, and the trust they place in me is something I value deeply,” he says.
He enjoys helping patients understand their skin and feel empowered to take an active role in their health, whether that means protecting their skin from the sun, identifying a concerning lesion early, or managing a chronic skin condition.
“Knowing that I can positively impact my patients’ health while being part of this community is what continues to make practicing dermatology so rewarding.”
Skin Cancer Care in the Colorado Springs Community
Dr. Leslie’s experience has reinforced something he has seen throughout his career: great dermatology care is about more than medicine. It is about listening, educating, earning trust, and helping patients feel confident taking care of their skin.
As a dermatologist and dermatopathologist who diagnoses and treats skin cancer in Colorado Springs, Dr. Leslie combines that patient-centered approach with years of experience caring for Southern Colorado patients.
For Dr. Leslie, caring for patients in Colorado Springs means continuing to learn from the community he serves while helping patients protect their skin and their long-term health.
If you have noticed a new or changing spot, are concerned about skin cancer, or would like to discuss whether a total body skin exam is appropriate for you, schedule an appointment with Vanguard Skin Specialists.
