Skin Exam

What is a skin exam?

A skin exam is an in-depth look at your largest and most visible organ, which also has the important job of serving as a barrier against pathogens. You should examine your skin monthly to check for new or evolving moles and other skin changes.

You should also get an annual skin exam at your dermatologist’s office as a screening procedure for skin cancer. About five million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed every year in the United States. Most skin cancer can be treated and even cured when identified early.

What happens during a skin exam?

When you come to DERMAGNIFY for a skin cancer screening or mole check, Dr. Cappel examines your entire body for signs of changes that could indicate skin cancer or precancerous conditions. Your DERMAGNIFY professionals spot changes that you might not notice yourself. 

In addition, your dermatologist looks in areas of your skin that you might not be able to visualize unaided, such as your scalp, ears, and back. Skin cancer can strike anyone of any age, gender, race or color. In fact, people of color most often develop skin cancer in areas of their body that aren’t exposed to sunlight, including between their toes or under their nails.

Why would I need a skin exam?

Ideally, you should book a skin exam every year to ensure that you don’t have any cancerous lesions. You also need a skin exam to precisely diagnose skin pathologies such as:

• Rashes
• Lesions
• Changes to your moles

Your dermatologist removes or biopsies any abnormal skin lesions during your skin exam.

When is a skin biopsy necessary?

A biopsy is a sample of tissue that needs to be investigated more closely. If we suspect you have skin cancer, we remove the lesion and then examine the tissue in a pathology lab to see if it’s cancerous or not.

As a dermatopathologist, Dr. Cappel also takes biopsies of other skin pathologies, including rashes, to better understand what’s behind your problem. By pinpointing the diagnosis of your rash or lesion, Dr. Cappel can customize your treatment. 

To keep track of your moles, get an annual skin cancer screening, or find out why you have a rash, book a skin exam today. Call our friendly DERMAGNIFY team, or use our online scheduler.