Annual Skin Exam and Plan: Why You Need One

annual skin exaam

Every year Americans make New Year’s resolutions, set goals, and plan budgets to handle expenses big and small. If you’re not making an annual skin exam part of your routine each year, you may be putting your skin, health, and even bottom line at risk.

Here’s what you need to know about an annual skin exam and how to make a plan to fit your skin (and your budget):

What is an Annual Skin Exam?

An annual skin exam is an opportunity for a Board-Certified Dermatologist to examine your skin, identify concerns, look at moles to evaluate changes, and check out any rashes. You can also speak with your Provider if you want to consider any medical or cosmetic treatments to help with skin issues. 

“Total skin exams are really quite easy,” Kim Phillips, MD with Vitalogy Skincare, explains. “We chat with our patients to keep them comfortable while looking at their skin from head to toe. The goal is to make it a very relaxed experience.”

If you have concerns or have noticed any moles that have changed in size or color, make sure to mention that to your Skin Care Provider so they can pay special attention to those areas. 

Also, if you’re at higher risk for skin cancer, you may want to get skin exams more often than annually.

One helpful tip is to use the start of a new year or even your birthday to keep up with your schedule for a skin care exam, so it doesn’t slip off your ‘to do’ list. Just make sure you’re doing one!

Take care of your skin every day, all year long by using skin care products recommended by the experts and always wearing sunscreen.

Why You Shouldn’t Skip Your Annual Skin Exam

Phillips also shares, “Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that is very serious. It can often occur in an area where you can’t see it, such as on the back, or the backs of one’s arms or legs.”

“If melanomas are left in place, they can become life-threatening before you even know they are there. Early detection is critical,” Phillips adds.

Phillips also notes that many of the melanomas she’s found in patients were discovered during an annual skin exam. They were lesions that the patients had no idea were there. She’s also found many easily curable, nuisance rashes that the patient thought they were just stuck with and fixed them up within days.

Where to Get Your Annual Skin Exam

Visit your local Greater Austin area Dermatologists to schedule your annual skin exam. You can make an appointment at one of the Vitalogy Skincare locations to get your skin exam scheduled or to make an appointment to speak with an expert about what cosmetic treatments might be best for you.