Skin checks are the best way to spot skin problems early, so they’re important in skin cancer prevention and treatment. At Associates in Dermatology, with offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Punta Gorda, Florida, the team of elite dermatology specialists provides detailed annual skin checks, spot checks, and education about how to examine your skin monthly at home. To arrange your skin check, call the office in your area or book an appointment online today.
A skin check is an exam of your skin to look for new marks or growths, or to detect changes in the ones you already had. Skin checks are an important tool for skin cancer prevention.
The Associates in Dermatology team recommends performing home skin checks once a month. Your exam should include a check of your full body using a combination of full-length and hand mirrors.
Skin checks should be unhurried and careful. Make a note of any new growths or significant changes in preexisting growths. If you notice anything new, reach out to Associates in Dermatology right away.
The Associates in Dermatology team performs careful head-to-toe skin checks in their three Southwest Florida offices. They’re examining all parts of your body as they search for precancerous lesions and other growths that require a closer evaluation.
The team may use a dermatoscope, a handheld magnifier that gives them a more detailed view of skin growths. If they find a concerning growth, they may perform a biopsy, which means taking a sample of skin cells from the growth (or possibly the whole growth) for testing.
The team recommends comprehensive skin checks once a year for patients who have a personal or family history of cancer, reduced immunity, or precancerous lesions.
If you find a new or changed growth during your self-exams, the team may schedule a shorter version of a skin check, known as a spot check. This type of check involves a detailed look at that specific growth, usually alongside a biopsy.
At the end of your in-office skin check, the team discusses the results with you and tells you about any specific areas you need to keep an eye on. If they performed a biopsy, you may schedule a follow-up appointment to get results and talk about treatment options in the coming weeks.
Skin checks can detect skin cancer in the early stages, so if you’re at risk, they could save your life. Call Associates in Dermatology or click the online scheduler to make your appointment today.