How often should you see a Dermatologist?

How often you should see your dermatologist depends on your individual skin needs and health history. In this blog, we cover some general recommendations.

Annual Visit

Most people benefit from an annual skin check to screen for skin cancer, assess overall skin health, and address any concerns. This recommendation comes from The Skin Cancer Foundation.

Your dermatologist can help track changes in your skin over time, whether sunburns, rashes, moles or scaliness, while providing expert medical advice on how to treat them. We can also identify abnormal moles and other skin abnormalities that could be at risk for developing into cancer.

Full-body skin exams do not take a long time, often no more than 20 minutes. During that time, your dermatologist will examine your skin head-to-toe. The length of the exam may vary, depending on if your dermatologist needs to perform a biopsy, which is a procedure to remove a small piece of skin for testing.

To prepare and make the most of your appointment, follow these five easy steps.

Perform a self-exam and come to your appointment prepared to point out any new, changing or unusual spots you want your dermatologist to examine. If you’ve taken smartphone photos of a spot that has changed over time, definitely show them to your dermatologist.

Remove nail polish from your fingers and toes to enable thorough examination, since skin cancers can form there.

Wear your hair loose. Remove pony tails, buns or hair clips so that your dermatologist can get a good look at your scalp where skin cancers can develop.

Remove any makeup before your exam so that the skin around your eyes is easy to examine.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions. 

About 20% of Americans, or one in five, will develop skin cancer before the age of 70. Early detection of skin cancer is the key to the most minimal and cost-effective treatment with the greatest chance of a cure. 

At Walk-in Dermatology, you won’t need to wait. We are revolutionizing medical skin care. We believe an individual should not have to wait a month or more to be seen by a dermatologist, especially when you are concerned about a skin issue.

More Frequent Visits

History of Skin Cancer: If you have a history of skin cancer, your dermatologist may recommend check-up visits every 3 to 6 months.

Chronic Skin Conditions: For conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea, you may need more frequent visits (perhaps every few weeks or months) to manage your treatment plan.

New or Changing Skin Lesions: If you notice any new or changing moles, lesions, or growths, you should see a dermatologist right away.

Preventive Care: If you have a family history of skin cancer or a lot of sun exposure, seeing a dermatologist more frequently (such as every 6 months) can help with early detection and prevention.

Walk-in Dermatology can provide a personalized recommendation and treatment plan designed specifically for you, based on your skin type and health history.

You can also be proactive by checking your own skin once a month for any changes in appearance.

Let Walk-in Dermatology Take Care of You 

If you have concerns about any skin condition and need dependable answers – fast – you don’t have to wonder, worry or wait. Walk-in Dermatology is here to keep you healthy. Our team of experienced healthcare staff will address your concerns and provide the necessary care for all your skin conditions. Don’t wait until the problem gets worse. Contact us today.