How Long Does a Full Body Skin Check Take?
If you have been putting off a skin check because you are worried it will take a large part of your day, the good news is that a full body skin check is usually a relatively straightforward appointment.
At The Mole Clinic, the time required depends on your skin, number of moles, individual risk factors and whether any lesions need closer assessment or imaging. A standard full body skin check is generally booked as a 15 minute appointment, although some patients may require additional time or further assessment.
What happens during a full body skin check?
A full body skin check involves a systematic examination of your skin for suspicious or unusual lesions.
Your doctor will usually begin by asking about your skin cancer history, family history, previous sun exposure and any particular spots you have noticed or are concerned about.
The skin is then examined systematically. At The Mole Clinic, our doctors use dermoscopy where appropriate to examine individual lesions more closely. A dermatoscope provides magnification and specialised lighting that allows structures within a lesion to be assessed in greater detail than with the naked eye alone.
If you would like to know more about the examination itself, our full body skin check page explains the service in more detail.
Why can some skin checks take longer?
No two patients have exactly the same skin or risk profile.
A patient with relatively few moles and no previous skin cancer may require less assessment than someone with numerous moles, significant sun damage or a history of melanoma or other skin cancers.
A skin check may also require additional time if:
You have numerous or atypical moles
Several lesions require dermoscopic assessment
You have a previous history of melanoma or other skin cancers
You have noticed several new or changing lesions
A lesion requires photography or monitoring
Your doctor identifies something that requires further discussion or investigation
The aim is not to make an appointment last for a particular amount of time. It is to assess your skin appropriately and establish a clear plan for anything that requires further attention.
What is the difference between a spot check and a full body skin check?
If you are concerned about one particular mole or lesion, you may not necessarily need a full body examination.
A spot check focuses on an individual lesion or small number of specific areas of concern. A full body skin check involves a more comprehensive examination of your skin.
Which option is most appropriate depends on why you are attending and your individual risk factors.
If you notice a new, changing or otherwise concerning lesion, you can arrange an assessment without waiting for your next routine full body skin check.
Does mole mapping take longer than a standard skin check?
Mole mapping is different from a standard full body skin check and generally requires additional time because images of the skin and selected lesions need to be captured and documented.
Mole mapping can be particularly useful for selected patients with numerous moles, atypical lesions or an increased risk of melanoma.
At The Mole Clinic, DermEngine technology is used for digital imaging and longitudinal monitoring where clinically appropriate. This allows images to be compared over time to assist your doctor in identifying changes that may require further assessment.
Not everyone having a skin check requires mole mapping. Your doctor can advise whether it is appropriate for you.
You can learn more on our Mole Mapping Melbourne page.
How can you prepare for a full body skin check?
There is usually very little preparation required.
A few simple steps can make examining your skin easier:
Wear clothing that is easy to remove and put back on
Avoid heavy makeup where possible
Avoid fake tan before your appointment
Consider removing nail polish if you have a concern involving a nail
Make a note of any particular spots you want the doctor to examine
Tell your doctor about previous melanomas, skin cancers, biopsies or significant family history
If you have photographs or previous skin imaging that may be relevant, these can also be useful to bring with you.
What happens if something suspicious is found?
Finding a lesion that requires further assessment does not necessarily mean that it is skin cancer.
Depending on its appearance and your individual circumstances, your doctor may recommend monitoring the lesion, photographing it for comparison, reviewing it after an appropriate interval or performing a biopsy.
If a biopsy is required, this may be arranged as a separate procedure. The tissue can then be sent for histopathology to help establish a diagnosis.
If treatment is subsequently required, The Mole Clinic provides a pathway from initial assessment through to biopsy and skin cancer surgery where clinically appropriate.
Is treatment performed during the skin check?
A full body skin check is primarily an assessment appointment.
Procedures such as biopsies or skin cancer surgery will generally require appropriate planning and may be performed at a separate appointment. This allows the doctor to consider the most appropriate procedure, explain it to you and allocate the necessary time.
You should leave your skin check with an understanding of whether anything requires further assessment and what the next step will be.
Is a longer skin check necessarily better?
Not necessarily.
The amount of time required varies according to the patient. A straightforward examination may be completed efficiently, while someone with a more complex skin cancer history or numerous lesions may require additional assessment.
What matters is that your skin is assessed appropriately, concerning lesions receive closer examination where required and you understand any recommended follow-up.
When should you book a full body skin check?
There is no single skin check schedule that applies to every Australian adult. How frequently your skin should be professionally examined depends on your individual risk.
Factors such as previous skin cancer, family history, number and type of moles, skin type and cumulative sun exposure can influence the frequency your doctor recommends.
Regardless of your usual schedule, a new, changing or otherwise concerning lesion should be assessed rather than waiting for your next routine appointment.
You can also read our guide to how often you should get a skin check.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a full body skin check take?
At The Mole Clinic, a standard full body skin check is generally booked as a 15 minute appointment. The time required can vary depending on your skin, number of lesions, medical history and whether anything requires additional assessment.
Is a spot check quicker than a full body skin check?
A spot check is focused on one particular lesion or a small number of concerns, whereas a full body skin check involves a more comprehensive examination of the skin.
Do I need mole mapping with my skin check?
Not necessarily. Mole mapping can be useful for selected patients, particularly those with numerous or atypical moles or an increased risk of melanoma. Your doctor can advise whether it is appropriate for you.
Can I have a biopsy during the same appointment?
A skin check is primarily an assessment appointment. If a lesion requires biopsy, your doctor will discuss the appropriate next step and the procedure may be arranged separately.
Do I need a referral?
No. You do not need a referral to attend The Mole Clinic.
Book a Full Body Skin Check
The Mole Clinic provides doctor-led skin checks at our Sunshine and Frankston clinics.
If you are concerned about a particular lesion or would like a full body skin check, you can book directly without a referral.