"Do I really need a full-body skin check every year?" is one of the most common questions we get. The short answer is yes for most adults — and here's exactly what the visit actually involves, since the uncertainty is often the biggest barrier to booking.
The exam itself takes about 15-20 minutes. You'll change into a gown, and Dr. Whitfield will examine your skin from scalp to soles, including areas patients often forget — behind the ears, between the toes, the scalp under hair, and the back. A dermatoscope (a lighted magnifier) is used on any spot that needs a closer look.
We're looking for the ABCDEs of melanoma — Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter over 6mm, and Evolution (a mole that's changing) — plus other skin cancers like basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, which are more common but less dangerous than melanoma if caught early.
If something looks suspicious, we can often biopsy it the same day — a quick, local-anesthetic procedure that takes only a few minutes. Results typically come back within a week, and we call you directly rather than making you wait for a portal message.
Most people leave with a clean bill of health and a photo-documented baseline we compare against next year. That comparison is actually the most valuable part of an annual screening — it's much easier to catch a mole that's changed than to judge a single mole in isolation.
Insurance covers this as preventive care for most PPO plans — we verify your benefits before your visit so you know your cost upfront. If you have a family history of melanoma, fair skin, a history of sunburns, or many moles, we may recommend checking every 6 months instead of annually.