What to Expect at a Full Body Skin Exam
What to Expect at a Full Body Skin Exam
If you have never had a full body skin exam, it is normal to be unsure about what happens during the appointment.
A full body skin check is a systematic examination of your skin for suspicious or unusual lesions. Your doctor will discuss your skin cancer risk, examine your skin and use dermoscopy where appropriate to assess individual spots more closely.
The process is straightforward, professional and gives you an opportunity to point out any new or changing lesions that have concerned you.
What happens at the start of a full body skin exam?
Your appointment will usually begin with a discussion about your skin and medical history.
Your doctor may ask about:
Any new or changing spots you have noticed
Previous melanoma or other skin cancers
Previous skin biopsies or procedures
A family history of melanoma
Your number and type of moles
Previous sun exposure and sunburn
Your skin type
Medications or medical conditions that may affect your skin cancer risk
This information helps your doctor assess your individual risk and provides context for the physical examination.
If there is a particular mole or lesion that prompted you to book, point it out at the beginning of the appointment.
What happens during the examination?
You will generally need to remove enough clothing to allow your skin to be examined appropriately. The examination should be conducted professionally and with consideration for your privacy and comfort.
Your doctor will then systematically examine your skin rather than focusing only on the spot that brought you to the clinic.
This is important because suspicious lesions can occur in areas that are difficult to see yourself.
You can learn more about the service on our Full Body Skin Check Melbourne page.
Which areas of the body are checked?
A full body skin examination may include areas such as the:
Face and ears
Scalp and neck
Chest and abdomen
Back
Arms and hands
Legs
Feet and soles
The exact examination depends on your individual circumstances and clinical need.
If you have noticed a lesion in an area normally covered by underwear or another sensitive area, tell your doctor. Any examination of these areas should be discussed with you and guided by clinical need.
How does the doctor examine individual moles?
Your doctor will initially assess your skin visually and use a dermatoscope where appropriate.
A dermatoscope is a handheld instrument that provides magnification and specialised lighting. It allows structures within a skin lesion to be assessed in greater detail than is possible with the naked eye alone.
Dermoscopy can assist with the assessment of pigmented and non-pigmented lesions, but it does not guarantee a diagnosis. Some lesions may still require monitoring or biopsy.
At The Mole Clinic, skin checks are performed by Australian-registered doctors with additional training and a special interest in skin cancer medicine.
What is the difference between a full body skin check and a spot check?
A full body skin check involves a comprehensive examination of your skin.
A spot or mole check is designed for patients who are primarily concerned about one or a small number of individual lesions.
If you have noticed a particular lesion but do not require a full body examination, you can learn more about our Spot and Mole Check service.
Which appointment is most appropriate depends on your individual circumstances and skin cancer risk.
Is mole mapping part of every full body skin check?
No. A full body skin check and mole mapping are related but separate services.
Mole mapping involves capturing digital images of your skin and selected lesions so they can be documented and compared over time.
This 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.
Not every patient requires mole mapping. Your doctor can advise whether it may be useful for you.
You can learn more on our Mole Mapping Melbourne page.
How should you prepare for your skin exam?
Very little preparation is required.
Where practical:
Avoid heavy makeup
Avoid fake tan before your appointment
Wear comfortable clothing that is easy to remove and put back on
Consider removing nail polish if you have a concern involving a nail
Make a note of any particular lesions you want examined
Bring relevant previous photographs, pathology results or mole mapping records if they are not already available to the clinic
For more information, read our guide on how to prepare for a full body skin check.
Will a full body skin exam be uncomfortable?
The examination itself should not be physically painful.
Some patients feel self-conscious about removing clothing, particularly during their first skin check. This is understandable.
Your doctor should explain what is required and maintain your privacy as much as possible while still allowing the necessary areas of skin to be examined.
If you have any concerns about the examination, tell your doctor before it begins.
What happens if a suspicious lesion is found?
Finding a lesion that requires further investigation does not necessarily mean that you have skin cancer.
Depending on the clinical findings, your doctor may recommend:
No further action
Clinical or photographic monitoring
Review after an appropriate interval
A skin biopsy
Removal or other treatment
If a lesion requires tissue diagnosis, a skin biopsy may be recommended. The sample is then sent for histopathology to help establish the diagnosis.
The Mole Clinic provides a pathway from initial assessment through to biopsy and treatment where clinically appropriate.
Will a suspicious spot be removed on the same day?
Not necessarily.
A full body skin check is primarily an assessment appointment. If a biopsy or procedure is required, it may need to be arranged as a separate appointment so that appropriate time can be allocated and the procedure can be planned properly.
Your doctor should explain what has been found, why further investigation is recommended and what happens next.
How often should you have a full body skin exam?
There is no single interval that applies to every Australian adult.
The appropriate frequency depends on your individual risk factors, including previous skin cancers, family history, number and type of moles, skin type and previous sun exposure.
People at higher risk may require more structured surveillance, while recommendations for lower-risk patients should be individualised.
You can read more in our guide to how often you should get a skin check.
Regardless of your usual skin check schedule, do not wait for your next routine appointment if you notice a new, changing or otherwise concerning lesion.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to remove all my clothes for a full body skin exam?
You will need to remove enough clothing for the areas of skin being assessed to be examined properly. Your privacy and comfort should be maintained throughout the examination.
Does a full body skin exam hurt?
No. The examination itself is not painful. Dermoscopy is also non-invasive.
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. Some patients may require additional assessment depending on their skin and clinical findings.
You can read more about how long a full body skin check takes.
Does every suspicious mole need a biopsy?
No. Your doctor may recommend monitoring, photography, follow-up assessment or biopsy depending on the appearance of the lesion and your individual circumstances.
Do I need mole mapping?
Not everyone requires mole mapping. It may be useful for selected patients with numerous moles, atypical lesions or increased melanoma risk.
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 skin checks at our Sunshine and Frankston clinics.
If you have noticed a new or changing lesion, or would like a comprehensive assessment of your skin, you can book directly without a referral.