Your annual skin exam should be like clockwork: regular, routine, and consistent. Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and your first line of defense against external elements, so it requires special care and maintenance. Regular skin exams conducted by a dermatologist are crucial for early detection of skin cancer, significantly improving disease prognosis if cancer is found. We’re here to demystify the skin check, answering the most common exam questions and giving you a summary of what to expect. Read on for tips on how to prepare for your skin check, what to expect during the exam, and what will happen after.
If you have a normal to low risk of skin cancer, it’s recommended you see a dermatologist annually for a skin check. If you have an elevated risk of skin cancer or have had skin cancer in the past, it’s recommended that you get checked more regularly. Either way, there are a few ways you can prepare for your skin check so the exam goes as smoothly as possible.
When you arrive in the exam room, you’ll be asked to remove your clothes and put on a medical gown. You have the option of keeping your underwear on or leaving it off, however it is always recommended that if you have any moles or skin spots in that area to have them examined. Now is your time to ask any questions! Your dermatologist will check your skin from the top of your scalp to the bottoms of your feet, paying special attention to areas that see a lot of sun, and areas that are difficult to self-examine. Your dermatologist will even check in between your toes! During the exam your dermatologist may use a dermatoscope, which is a diagnostic aid, to better characterize your skin lesions. If any suspicious spots or moles are found, your dermatologist will take a biopsy and send it for review.
If your dermatologist finds something that needs to be biopsied during your exam, you should receive your results back from the lab typically within a week. During this time, we advise you to remain calm and remember that annual skin checks increase your chances of early detection and therefore are linked to higher cure rates. When your skin check biopsy results are in, your dermatologist will contact you either to clear you, or provide you with next steps. If no suspicious skin spots or moles are found, and you don’t have any concerns, then you’re in the clear! All you have to do now is schedule your skin check for next year. We always recommend getting something on the calendar, then when your appointment date approaches you can reschedule if necessary. Skin checks are an important pillar of not just your skin health, but your overall health. Regular exams empower patients to take their health and wellness into their own hands. The proactive nature of skin checks improves chances of early detection, increases cure rates, and betters disease prognosis. Set yourself up for success and schedule your annual skin check today!
Skin checks are an important pillar of not just your skin health, but your overall health. Regular exams empower patients to take their health and wellness into their own hands. The proactive nature of skin checks improves chances of early detection, increases cure rates, and betters disease prognosis. Set yourself up for success and schedule your annual skin check today!
