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Did you know that skin cancer has a genetic component to it? In fact, 1 in 10 people who are diagnosed with skin cancer will have a family member who was also diagnosed with skin cancer in the past. If this applies to you, you’ll need to be a bit more proactive, and this includes getting regular full-body skin evaluations from a dermatology clinic, like Compassion Dermatology, in the Southlake area.
It’s easy for sunspots, blemishes, and other issues to go completely unnoticed. After all, most people don’t inspect their entire bodies on a regular basis. However, getting a professional to perform a full-body skin exam can really help put your mind at ease. So, what does a full-body skin examination entail? We’re here to break it down for you.
What Does a Fully-Body Skin Evaluation Include?
First things first, it’s important to learn what a full-body skin examination includes. This is also known as skin cancer screening and is a visual exam conducted by a dermatologist to check your skin for unusual marks or symptoms that could be a sign of skin cancer. This can include anything from birthmarks to moles to suspicious spots. Most of us cannot identify which moles are absolutely normal, and which ones look a bit funky and need further examination. In general, the entire examination will take about 20 minutes to complete.
During the screening, the dermatologist from the dermatology clinic can also take a look at other skin conditions or issues that you may have. Even if you’re concerned with cosmetic issues, you can bring these issues up at this time, and the dermatologist might have a recommendation for you. For example, let’s say that you’re worried about fine lines and wrinkles. Our dermatologists will look at whether the amount of fine lines and wrinkles that you have are signs of premature aging, and if so, the types of products and treatments that can help.
For example, HydraFacial is one of the most recommended treatments at our clinic. It not only treats fine lines and wrinkles, but it can also improve overall elasticity, firmness, tone, texture, and vibrancy, as well as shrink pores, and improve the overall appearance of your skin. This treatment gets rid of impurities and dead skin cells and replenishes your skin with antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid.
What Does the Dermatologist Look For?
Understanding what your dermatologist is looking for might be useful. For example, you might have noticed that there’s a mark on your body that you might want to draw attention to. In general, your dermatologist will look for the following:
- Asymmetry. It’s unusual for moles and other spots to be asymmetrical and asymmetry may be a sign that what you’re dealing with is skin cancer. As a result, this is actually one of the first things that a dermatologist will look for.
- Border. If you have skin cancer, the melanoma will usually have a ragged or scalloped border. Cancer-free growths, on the other hand, usually have smooth, even borders.
- Color. Most non-cancerous growths are only a single shade of brown. However, if you have some type of growth that is multi-colored, you might need to get it further analyzed and examined.
- Instability. Last but not least, a lot of cancerous growths are unstable in shape and color. They’ll change in appearance ever so often, and this instability can be a sign of something much more problematic. Most dermatologists will keep track of the various growths on your body, so they can easily catch these problems while they’re still minor.
There are many other signs that a dermatologist will look for. If the dermatologist notices anything fishy, they’ll let you know and provide you with some advice on what to do next. They may recommend that you get further screening or send in a sample to a lab for analysis. Either way, they’ll be able to help you through the rest of the process, so that it remains as stress-free as possible.
Who Should Get a Full-Body Skin Evaluation?
It never hurts to book an appointment at a dermatology clinic for a full-body skin evaluation. However, some people do need to get screened more so than others. Those who should highly consider getting a full-body skin evaluation at a dermatology clinic include:
- Those with a light skin tone
- Those who tend to burn or get freckles easily
- Those with a family history of melanoma or other types of skin cancers
- Those who have a lot of moles on their body
- Those who go to tanning salons regularly or tan in the sun a lot
- Those who are recipients of an organ transplant
If you have a family history of melanoma or other types of skin cancer, let the dermatologist know has it can help them with their diagnosis or help them figure out what types of services you need in order to keep yourself safe and healthy.
Call Us for Dermatology Services in the Southlake Area
Dermatology is much more than just having radiant, beautiful skin. It’s also about making sure that your skin is healthy and that includes staying proactive and screening for skin cancer. With regular dermatology services, you can rest assured that you’re doing everything that you can to catch the melanoma before it becomes a huge problem.
Regardless of what you need, Compassion Dermatology is here to help. We are one of the top clinics in the Southlake area. We are a member of the American Association of Dermatology and have quite a lot of years of experience in the industry. Our team has helped many clients achieve the results that they’re looking for. We’ve treated a wide range of different skin conditions and disorders with ease.
For more information, give us a call at 817-380-5911. Our dermatologists will be more than happy to answer any questions or concerns that you may have about a full-body skin screening and can also help you figure out whether there are any other services or treatments that you might benefit from.
