What to Expect at Your Full Body Skin Cancer Screening

Most of my patients come in for a “skin check,” but that term can be interpreted in many ways. To a dermatologist, a skin check signifies a head to toe examination looking for skin cancers, precancerous growths, and atypical moles. Most of the time and effort of the visit is dedicated to this lengthy and detailed examination. I also attempt to address other skin concerns (acne, rashes, sunspots, warts, hair loss) during the visit, but it can be difficult to fully address multiple concerns in addition to the full body skin cancer screening. Multiple skin concerns often require separate visits, so that each concern gets the attention it deserves. I can better prioritize our time together if I know your concerns and objectives at the beginning of the visit for a skin cancer check at our Florida practice.

There are some important details to know before your skin cancer screening. First and foremost, I want you to feel at ease at your visit, but of course, the less you wear during the exam, the better! My nurse will give you a gown, and you can undress to your comfort level, but please understand that clothing/undergarments do obscure the skin. It is best to come to your exam with a minimalist, au naturel approach. Here are my tips to make your visit a breeze:

• Wear easy to remove clothing and shoes.

• Do not wear any makeup. Even light make up camouflages the skin, which is the job it is intended to do. The same applies to eyeliner or lipstick. I really cannot see under makeup, and it can easily obscure a cancerous lesion.

• Avoid hair products, as I will examine your scalp during the exam.

• Skip the jewelry and watches.

• Leave off the perfume, moisturizers, and sunscreen (yes, even sunscreen!).  All these products get in the way of a thorough exam.

• Remove nail polish or artificial nails. I cannot assess for nail changes, nail fungus, or growths under the nail if there is anything covering the nail.

The bottom line is this: Anything covering your skin blocks both my visual and tactile senses. I take your skin health very seriously, and I aim to provide you with the most thorough exam possible. Arrange yours by contacting me online at Skin Wellness Physicians or by calling (239) 732-0044.