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by earclean
Preparing for your SkinCheck is simple, but a few steps can help your doctor examine your skin more thoroughly and accurately.
Before your appointment
- Avoid fake tan or heavy makeup, which can make it more difficult to assess skin colour and pigmentation.
- Do not wear thick moisturisers or sunscreen immediately before the appointment if possible. Normal daily skincare is generally fine.
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that’s easy to remove and put back on.
- Tie up long hair or bring a hair tie so your scalp can be examined.
- Bring your glasses if you wear them, as you may be asked to look at or identify particular spots.
- Make a list of any spots that concern you, especially those that:
- are new
- have changed in size, shape or colour
- itch, bleed or don’t heal
- look different from your other moles (“the ugly duckling”).
Bring with you (if possible)
- A list of your medications.
- Details of any previous skin cancers, biopsies or treatments.
- Information about any family history of melanoma or other skin cancers.
- Any previous skin photography or mole mapping reports. (Don’t stress if you don’t have them).
During the skin check
You will be asked to remove your items of clothing to expose the skin surface for a comprehensive examination of the skin, but you can leave your underwear on. Patient modesty gowns are available and can be provided on request.
A comprehensive skin examination involves inspecting your entire skin surface, including areas you may not normally see, such as:
- Scalp
- Face and ears
- Neck
- Back
- Chest and abdomen
- Arms and hands
- Legs and feet
- Between the fingers and toes
- Soles of the feet
Depending on your history and preferences, your doctor may also recommend examining areas covered by underwear, as skin cancers can occur anywhere on the body.
Your doctor will use a dermatoscope (a specialised high intensity magnifying light) to examine suspicious spots more closely. If anything appears concerning, they may recommend monitoring, photographing, performing a biopsy, or arranging removal. The clinic uses dermatological imaging software called DermEngine.
What not to worry about
- You do not need to shave body hair before the appointment.
- You do not need to fast or make any special dietary changes.
- Your Comprehensive SkinCheck is painless and typically take 15–30 minutes, depending on the number of moles and your skin cancer risk.
For the most accurate assessment, it’s best to have a full-body skin examination rather than having a Spot Check or individual lesions, as skin cancers are also found in areas patients weren’t aware of.
