How to Prepare for a Full Body Skin Check
How to Prepare for a Full Body Skin Check
Preparing for a full body skin check is simple. The main aim is to make your skin easy to examine and to make sure your doctor knows about any spots that have changed or are concerning you.
You do not need to prepare perfectly. Avoiding heavy makeup and fake tan, wearing clothing that is easy to remove, and making a note of any concerning lesions can help you get the most from your appointment.
What should you do before a full body skin check?
There is very little preparation required before a skin check.
On the day of your appointment:
Wear comfortable 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
Tie long hair back or bring something to clip it up
Make a note of any new, changing or concerning spots
Bring relevant information about previous skin cancers, biopsies or mole mapping if it is not already available to the clinic
Most importantly, do not delay an appointment because you have not been able to follow one of these steps. If you have a concerning skin lesion, having it assessed is more important than arriving perfectly prepared.
Should you remove makeup before a skin check?
Ideally, avoid heavy makeup on the day of your appointment.
Foundation and other cosmetics can cover pigmentation and make parts of the face more difficult to examine. If you need to wear makeup, you can still attend your appointment, but you may be asked to remove it from an area that needs closer examination.
The same principle applies to fake tan. If possible, avoid applying fake tan before your appointment because it can alter the appearance of pigmentation across the skin.
Do you need to remove nail polish?
You do not routinely need to remove nail polish for every skin check.
However, if you have noticed a new or changing mark involving a fingernail or toenail, removing polish can make that area easier to assess.
If removing gel polish or another nail product is difficult, do not postpone an important assessment because of it. Your doctor can advise whether the nail needs to be reviewed again without the product present.
What should you wear to a full body skin check?
Wear comfortable clothing that is easy to remove and put back on.
A full body skin check involves systematically examining the skin, so your doctor will need appropriate access to different areas of your body during the examination.
If there is a particular area you are concerned about, mention it to your doctor even if it is normally covered by clothing.
If you have any concerns about the examination itself, you can discuss these with your doctor before it begins.
Should you prepare a list of suspicious spots?
Yes. If you have noticed particular lesions that concern you, make a note of them before your appointment.
Tell your doctor about any spot that:
Is new or looks different from your other spots
Has changed in size, shape or colour
Repeatedly bleeds or crusts
Has become persistently itchy, tender or painful
Has developed into a sore that does not heal
Has otherwise changed in a way that concerns you
It can be easy to forget a particular lesion once a full examination begins, so pointing out your concerns at the start of the appointment is useful.
If you are concerned about only one or a small number of lesions, a spot or mole check may be appropriate. Your doctor can advise if a more comprehensive examination should be considered.
What medical history should you tell your doctor?
Your individual skin cancer risk helps provide context for your examination.
Tell your doctor if you have:
Previously had melanoma or another skin cancer
Previously had suspicious lesions biopsied or removed
A family history of melanoma
A large number of moles
Multiple atypical or unusual moles
Significant previous sun exposure
A history of repeated sunburn
A weakened immune system or take immunosuppressive medication
If you have previous pathology results, photographs or mole mapping records that may be relevant and are not already available to the clinic, bringing these with you may also be helpful.
What areas are examined during a full body skin check?
A full body skin check involves a systematic examination of your skin, including areas that can be difficult to see yourself.
Depending on the clinical circumstances, this may include areas such as the scalp, ears, neck, back, legs and feet.
If you have a lesion in an area normally covered by underwear or another area you specifically want examined, tell your doctor. Examination of sensitive areas should be guided by clinical need and discussed with you.
You can learn more about what happens during an appointment on our Full Body Skin Check Melbourne page.
How should you prepare for mole mapping?
If you are having mole mapping, avoiding fake tan and heavy cosmetics is particularly useful because clear images of your skin need to be captured for future comparison.
At The Mole Clinic, DermEngine technology is used for digital imaging and longitudinal monitoring where clinically appropriate.
Mole mapping can help document your skin and selected lesions so that images can be compared over time. It may be particularly useful for selected patients with numerous moles, atypical lesions or an increased risk of melanoma.
You can learn more about how it works on our Mole Mapping Melbourne page.
What happens during the skin check?
Your doctor will usually begin by asking about your skin cancer history, risk factors and any lesions that concern you.
Your skin is then examined systematically. Dermoscopy is used where appropriate to assess individual lesions in greater detail.
If something requires further assessment, your doctor will explain the findings and recommended next step. Depending on the lesion, this may include photography, monitoring, follow-up assessment or biopsy.
A skin check itself is an assessment appointment. If a procedure is required, this may need to be arranged separately.
What if you feel uncomfortable about a full body examination?
It is understandable to feel a little apprehensive, particularly if this is your first full body skin check.
Your doctor should explain the examination and maintain your privacy as much as possible while ensuring the areas that need assessment can be examined appropriately.
If there is an area you do not want examined or you have concerns about changing or the examination itself, tell your doctor. You can discuss this before the examination begins.
Should you postpone if you are not properly prepared?
No.
Preparation can make an examination easier, but it should not become a reason to delay assessment of a concerning lesion.
If you notice a new or changing mole, a persistent sore, unexplained bleeding or another skin change that concerns you, arrange an assessment even if you are wearing nail polish, have fake tan or have not otherwise prepared for a full skin check.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to shower before a skin check?
There is no special washing routine required. Attend with your skin in its usual clean condition and avoid applying fake tan or heavy cosmetics where possible.
Can I wear makeup to a skin check?
You can, but heavy makeup may make parts of your skin more difficult to assess. Where practical, attending without heavy makeup is preferable.
Should I remove my nail polish?
Not necessarily. However, if you are concerned about a mark involving a nail, removing the polish beforehand can make the area easier to assess.
What should I wear?
Choose comfortable clothing that is easy to remove and put back on.
Should I bring photographs of a changing mole?
If you have older photographs that clearly show how a lesion looked previously, they may be useful. Bring them with you, particularly if you have noticed a change over time.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly with The Mole Clinic without a referral.
Book a Full Body Skin Check
The Mole Clinic provides doctor-led full body skin checks at our Sunshine and Frankston clinics.
If you have noticed a new or changing lesion, or would like a comprehensive skin assessment, you can book directly without a referral.