Remove any nail polish. This will allow your doctor to fully examine your fingers, nails, and nail beds. Keep your hair loose so your scalp can be examined. Take note of any concerns, like skin spots, patches, or moles, and point those out to your doctor before the exam.

When to Visit a Dermatologist

• Severe Acne. We’ve all had pimples and blackheads, but for many people over-the-counter remedies simply aren’t effective.
• Inflamed, Red Skin.
• Dry Skin Patches.
• Skin Growths and Moles.
• Skin Cancer Screening.
• Skin or Nail Infections.
• Hair Loss.
• Varicose and Spider Veins.

What Conditions Does a Dermatologist Treat?

• Acne.
• Autoimmune diseases.
• Dermatitis.
• Hemangioma.
• Itchy skin.
• Psoriasis.
• Skin cancer.
• Skin infections.

Your appointment will involve a thorough examination of your skin — from the top of your scalp to the bottoms of your feet — by a dermatologist. They will look for suspicious spots that could be cancerous. There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

A complete exam includes an evaluation of your buttocks and your genital area, although some patients opt to leave their underwear on. That’s up to you, but because skin cancer can occur anywhere — yes, anywhere — it’s a wise idea to have every area examined.

Skin cancer becomes more prevalent after the age of 15, when children at high risk of developing the disease are recommended to start regular checks. Even if your child doesn’t fall into the high risk category, it is a good idea to monitor their skin for new or abnormal growths.