Full Body
IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION: Demand for medical dermatology services has exceeded our practice’s capacity due to a shortage of dermatology providers on Hawaii Island. We have made the difficult decision to temporarily halt the scheduling of any new medical dermatology patients at our practice effective Monday, November 21, 2022. Click here for more information.
At Dr. Monica Scheel Dermatology, we take pride in our thorough full-body skin exams. Skin cancer is highly treatable when diagnosed early. A full-body skin check is a visit where we evaluate and monitor your skin for changes. Our providers are specially trained in dermoscopy, using a hand-held device to see morphologic features of moles and lesions. Along with photography, these tools help us detect skin cancers or changes in moles.
What is a full-body skin check?
This 30 or 45-minute visit with a provider is a skin exam where we evaluate and map the moles on your skin. We are specifically looking for precancers or skin cancers. We carefully map and measure your moles with their locations; this allows us to detect skin changes. The patient undresses to their comfort level and we examine the body from scalp to toes. We provide a disposable gown at your appointment for your comfort
How often do I need a full-body skin check?
For most adults, we recommend a full skin check once a year. For our high-risk skin cancer patients, we may recommend exams more often ranging from every 3 to 12 months. After your exam is complete, we personalize a plan just for you.
Who should get a skin exam?
We perform these types of exams for all ages. We recommend a full-body skin check to start at least age 18, or sooner if you have a large number of moles, changing moles, or a family history of skin cancer. If you are unsure if your child needs a full-body skin check, it is recommended that you consult with your primary care provider or call our office