A skin check involves a detailed exam to search for signs of skin cancer and is often the key to early detection.
Dermatology expert Laurel Krupski, PA-C, MSW, provides yearly skin checks at Twin Falls Dermatology & Aesthetics, LLC in Twin Falls, Idaho, for those at risk of getting any form of skin cancer. Call the Twin Falls Dermatology office or schedule your next skin exam online today.
What happens during a skin check?
A skin check is a comprehensive examination of your skin to look for any unusual lesions. At Twin Falls Dermatology & Aesthetics, LLC, Laurel performs skin checks for your safety according to your needs. During the exam, she looks over every inch of your skin for any unusual spots, lesions, or bleeding.
Laurel uses a tool called a dermatoscope to get a closer look at any suspicious spots or lesions. A dermatoscope is a handheld magnifying device that shows a section of your skin in greater detail than Laurel can see with her bare eyes.
If Laurel finds any suspicious lesions, she may take a biopsy. Her technique is pain-free and effective for removing cells from the lesion which will then require closer examination in a laboratory. Twin Falls Dermatology & Aesthetics, LLC contacts you as soon as Laurel gets the results from your skin biopsy.
What are the possible findings of a skin check?
A skin check aims to detect precancerous lesions and cancer. Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells and is the most common type of cancer. It often occurs because of ultraviolet (UV) light damage to the DNA in certain layers of skin.
Laurel can tell you if your skin exam and biopsy detect any cancerous lesions, including:
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
Melanoma
Merkel cell carcinoma
BCC, SCC, and melanoma are the three most common skin cancer types. Melanoma is the most severe of the three because it’s the most likely of them to grow and spread to other areas. While the former two often show up as new lesions, melanoma tends to affect existing moles or spots on your skin.
When should I book an appointment for a skin check?
At Twin Falls Dermatology & Aesthetics, LLC, Laurel can inform you of how often you should book a skin exam based on your skin cancer risks.
Many people benefit from getting a skin exam from their dermatologist once a year. Skin cancer can grow rapidly, and early detection gives you the highest possible chance of successful treatment or even a cure.
Laurel can also teach you to examine your own skin outside of your professional skin exams so you can detect and report any suspicious lesions you find on your own.
Schedule your next skin exam today. Call Twin Falls Dermatology & Aesthetics, LLC or use the convenient online scheduling tool to book your appointment.
