Full body skin exam

A full body skin exam is a thorough visual inspection of your skin from head to toe done by a dermatologist to catch any unusual spots or changes since your last checkup. It’s a simple but important step in protecting your skin health, especially if you’re at higher risk for skin cancer.

While primary care doctors may check your skin during a visit, full body exams done by a dermatologist are more detailed. They may include whole body photography to track changes over time.

Dermatologists at Penn Medicine offer comprehensive full body skin exams designed to detect skin cancer and other conditions early when they can be treated most successfully.

Anyone can benefit from a full body skin exam, but it’s especially important for people who have a higher risk of skin cancer. You may be at higher risk if you have:

• Fair skin, light-colored eyes, or red or blonde hair
• Unusual (atypical) moles, or many moles
• Extensive sun exposure or bad sunburns in the past, especially as a child
• A weakened immune system
• Previous skin cancer or a family history of it

If you fall into one of these groups, experts recommend at least an annual skin screening, though your doctor may recommend skin exams more frequently based on your risk factors. Talk with your doctor about how often you should get a full body skin exam.

Before your full body dermatology exam, it’s a good idea to check your own skin and make note of any new, changing, or unusual spots you’d like the doctor to look at. To help ensure a thorough exam, remove any nail polish, wear your hair down so your scalp is accessible, and come with a clean face free of makeup.

At the start of the exam, you’ll change into a medical gown or disposable paper smock. If you are wearing a bra, you’ll likely be asked to remove it, but you can usually keep your underwear on unless there’s a concern in that area. The dermatologist will then carefully examine your skin from head to toe, including areas that are harder to see, like your back, scalp, ears, and between your toes.

To get a closer look at certain spots, your doctor may use a handheld magnifying tool called a dermatoscope. If something appears unusual, a biopsy may be performed. This is a quick and simple procedure done right in the office. After numbing the area with a local anesthetic, your doctor will remove a small sample of skin to send to a lab for testing. You may leave with a small bandage and some care instructions. Most people experience little to no pain afterward, and results are typically available within a few days. If the biopsy reveals anything that needs further care, your doctor will review the next steps with you.

When you have concerns about your skin, you deserve timely, accurate answers. At Penn Dermatology, our specialists are committed to early detection and expert care. We’re home to one of the nation’s few programs with dedicated research labs and on-site dermatopathology facilities, where skin conditions can be diagnosed with precision and speed.

Entrusting your care to Penn Medicine connects you to an extensive medical network with experts across dermatology, oncology, pathology, surgery, and more. If your results show treatment is needed, you’ll have direct access to top specialists in melanoma and skin cancer care, as well as the latest diagnostic tools and innovative treatment options, all within one coordinated system.