Full-body Body Skin Exam in Draper, UT
What is a Full Body Skin Exam?
A full-body skin exam is typically performed by a dermatologist. The entire body is examined to check for discolorations, growths, and signs of skin cancer and track them over time.
What To Expect During a Full Body Skin Exam
Before your full-body skin exam, you will be asked to remove all clothing and put on a gown. Your skin will be examined, and any birthmarks, moles, growths, or other skin issues will be recorded. If any suspicious areas are found, your dermatologist may remove a tissue sample and perform a biopsy to determine whether cancerous cells are present.
How To Prepare for a Full-Body Skin Exam
Before your full-body skin exam, make sure your body is clean and dry. You should also avoid putting on makeup, deodorant, or skin lotion of any kind.
How a Full Body Skin Exam Can Help Detect Skin Cancer
During a full-body skin exam, your dermatologist will check your skin for areas of red, scaly skin, or open areas that have not healed. Your dermatologist will also check your moles to look for:
- Large moles, with a diameter over 6 millimeters
- Asymmetrically shaped moles
- Poorly defined moles, with ragged borders
- Recurrent moles that have grown back after previous removal
- Itchy, bleeding, or oozing moles
Who Should Get a Full Body Exam?
Everyone can benefit from a full-body exam because everyone is at risk of developing skin cancer. A full body exam once each year is a great way to help detect skin cancer. You may need a full body exam more often if you have:
- Fair skin and freckles
- A tendency to sunburn easily and severely
- A previous history of skin cancer
- A family history of skin cancer
- A habit of spending extended periods out in the sun
How To Perform a Full-Body Skin Exam at Home
In between your annual dermatology visits, it’s a good idea to do a self-check at home, looking for abnormal areas of skin, abnormal moles, and skin growths. Using a hand mirror is helpful to check areas that are not easily visible.
How To Prevent Sun Damage and Skin Cancer
Sun damage and skin cancer develop due to excessive sun exposure. The effects of sun exposure are cumulative, which means sun exposure during your teens can affect the health of your skin decades later. You need to protect your skin from exposure to the sun, wind, dry climate, and cold. You should:
- Avoid using tanning booths
- Always wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30
- Always wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50 if you are at high risk of skin cancer or are outside for extended periods
- Wear hats, sunglasses, and other protective items to shield your skin and eyes
- Try to stay out of direct sunlight between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when ultraviolet rays are the most intense
Want To Know More about a Full Body Skin Exam?
To learn more about a full-body skin exam, call Dr. Angela Brimhall at Sage Dermatology & Mohs Surgery in Draper, UT. You can reach her in the office by calling (801) 882-9995, so call today.