Is a Yearly Rosacea Skin Exam the same as an Annual Skin Exam?
An annual Rosacea skin exam is different than a Full Body Skin Exam.
A Yearly Rosacea Skin Exam is a type of annual follow-up exam that helps you manage your skin condition with the help of a licensed dermatologist.
An annual Full Body Skin Exam (also known as a Skin Cancer Screening and Melanoma Screening) is very important to schedule as well. This full-body skin check, will include screening your entire body for possible pre-cancerous spots or lesions, including your scalp, behind your ears, and other hard-to-see places, all the way down to your toes.
Can I have my Rosacea skin exam and yearly skin exam at the same time?
Unfortunately, due to the way insurance is billed, both a rosacea skin exam and an annual full body skin exam usually cannot be done on the same visit. Sometimes they will allow you to refill existing medications but not discuss new methods for treating your rosacea. Check with your Dermatologist to find out their specific policies.
Types of things covered in a Rosacea Skin Exam
- Your Dermatologist will ask you how your skin is doing and whether you have noticed any changes.
- He or she may also perform an examination of your face by looking through a magnifying tool.
- Throughout your discussion your doctor will determine whether the current rosacea medication you are using is working and can renew those medications during your visit.
- If you are curious about other treatment options or have other questions about Rosacea, now is the time to ask those questions.
Types of things covered in a Full Body Skin Exam
- You will need to prepare to undress, down to your underwear, and wear the robe they provide.
- Your dermatologist will examine your skin closely, using a magnifying tool, looking for any spots of concern, starting at your scalp and ending with your toes. *Make sure to let them know if there are any spots you are concerned about.
- If there are any concerning spots, your dermatologist may do a skin biopsy which involves numbing the skin and removing a small sample to send to the lab.
- If your sample comes back as cancerous, you will be notified and come back to discuss next steps.
Click here for more about What to expect during a full body skin exam
It's important to schedule your yearly rosacea skin exam and your yearly full body skin exam and cancer screening, to ensure you are doing all you can to manage your rosacea so it doesn't get worse, and catch skin cancer in its earliest stages for the best outcomes.
And remember to use only the gentlest rosacea friendly products on your skin to keep your skin barrier healthy.
Do you remember to schedule your Rosacea skin exam and full body skin exam each year?
Let us know in the comments below!
