You Cannot Wear Lotion to a Dermatologist Appointment Lotions will moisturize your skin but will not hinder your doctor's skin exam.
Nail polish, and the chemicals that make it up, interfere with this. It is important to have clear nails so that the dermatologist can look for any clues and signals. Second, don't mess up the regular skin care routine. It is a good idea to go about the average morning skin regime, just without adding makeup.
Avoid wearing makeup and nail polish to your skin screening
Come to your skin screening without wearing makeup or nail polish. Because they cover up areas of your skin where cancer can occur, it's best to avoid these products the day of your exam to ensure your dermatologist can do a thorough screening.
Once the day of your first dermatologist appointment arrives, be sure your skin is clean, and try to avoid wearing makeup. This will give the dermatologist an accurate picture of your skin. Here are some other things you should expect on your first trip to the dermatologist.
Lotions will moisturize your skin but will not hinder your doctor's skin exam. So it's okay to apply some before your appointment. Additionally, if you're using other skin treatments to control flares, e. g. corticosteroid creams for eczema, you should put them on as scheduled.
Full-body skin exams are relatively short, ranging anywhere between 10-20 minutes. During that time, your doctor will examine your skin from head-to-toe. The timing of the exam may vary, depending on if the doctor performs a biopsy, which is a procedure to remove a small piece of skin for testing.
Your doctor will want to be able to see your scalp and hair as easily as possible. So, avoiding new dye and other hair products that day is a good idea. However, washing and conditioning your hair should have no impact. In fact, clean hair may make it easier for your doctor to see what is going on with your scalp.
Additionally, don't hide any skin conditions with lots of makeup. Instead, we recommend coming to your dermatology appointment barefaced or with minimal makeup so your doctor can get an optimal idea of the health of your skin.
Don't wear makeup.
“A lot of skin cancers I find on the face are pretty subtle (they are often basal or squamous cell carcinoma) and makeup can hide them,” says Dr. Axelson. She recommends coming in with nothing on your face but sunscreen.
While we recommend getting completely undressed, we respect your privacy, and you can follow the guidelines below for your skin exams: Women: if you leave your bra on, we will ask before checking the breast area. Women and Men: if you leave your underwear on, we will not check the genital area.
Changing into a patient gown
You will need to change into a gown for this examination. Please remove your bra and underwear unless you are incredibly uncomfortable about it. Skin cancer can occur on areas of your skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight.
Also, a dermatologist needs to examine your natural skin, so refrain from wearing makeup on the day of your visit. Foundation and tanning lotions will hinder the examination, prohibiting the doctor from getting a proper view of the skin and what's taking place there. Even lipstick can behave as a camouflage.
If you are seeing your dermatologist for a skin check, plan on getting undressed. Skin cancers can occur ANYWHERE that you have skin so a thorough exam does require you to be undressed. And here's something we hear often, but isn't something you have to worry about: shaving your legs!
Shower beforehand to ensure skin is clean and free of anything that could interfere with a thorough examination. Remove makeup and nail polish so the dermatologist can examine your skin and nails.
Dermatologists will also go over what to look for in your moles and may photograph moles that are in need of monitoring. Some dermatologists do a full-body exam in every sense of the phrase, including genital and perianal skin.
Whether you have acne, or your skin is dry and sensitive, a qualified and experienced dermatologist should be able to advise you on the best products for your skin type and how to use it.
Bring needed medical information.
Just like a typical doctor's appointment, make sure to bring your medical records with you, so your dermatologist has a clear understanding of your medical history. Be sure to make note of any family history of skin conditions such as skin cancer and psoriasis.
In most cases, mole removal can be completed during your first dermatology visit. However, there may be some exceptions where a follow-up appointment is recommended.
Many health insurance plans include coverage for skin cancer screenings as part of an annual wellness visit. This means that some or all of the cost of the exam may be covered by your insurance policy. In certain situations, insurance may cover the cost of skin exams if they are deemed medically necessary.
It is also useful to know that while many people think that applying moisturizer prior to a skin exam is prohibited, this is not the case at all! Feel free to moisturize your skin as per your normal routine. In fact, proper moisturization actually helps to normalize the pattern of your skin lesions.
Loose, easy-to-remove clothing: You'll need to undress for the screening. Wear clothes that are simple to take off. Past skin conditions: Bring up any history of skin cancer, unusual moles, or sunburns.