7 Things Dermatologists Wish You’d Stop Doing Before and During Your Checkups

Going to the dermatologist’s office for a skin check can be a little nerve-racking. You might feel anxious as your derm looks for potential signs of skin cancer, and removing all your clothing can make you feel exposed, especially if you haven’t seen that particular doctor before.

Still, it’s crucial that your dermatologist gets a good look at your entire body during these appointments, so they can catch any potential skin cancer at an early stage, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Below, dermatologists share the things they wish people would stop doing before and during their checkups — plus, tips for better skin health.

1. Feeling Embarrassed About Your Body

If you’ve ever felt insecure about having to take off your clothes for a skin check at your dermatologist’s office, you’re certainly not alone. This is something derms encounter all the time, they tell us.

“Often, people are embarrassed to schedule with a dermatologist unless they feel that they are ‘summer swimsuit season-ready,’” says Maya Thosani, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist and the owner of Modern Dermatology in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Many people worry that they’ll be judged for their body shape or how their skin looks, she says. As a result, they may hesitate to allow the dermatologist to fully check for skin cancer in private areas.

“If your insecurity prevents your dermatologist from doing a full skin exam for you, then we may miss seeing a skin cancer,” Dr. Thosani says. “Not all melanomas grow where the sun shines, and sometimes you can get a skin cancer that has nothing to do with sun exposure.”

In fact, about 10 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers are ‌not‌ associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

And remember: Your dermatologist sees people naked all the time. They’ll never, ever be judging the way you look.

“I often tell my patients, ‘Trust me, we have really seen it all,’” says Blair Murphy Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in facial rejuvenation at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York in New York City and Southampton, New York. “We are just happy you came for your skin check to keep you your healthiest.”

2. Shaving Before an Appointment

You may feel pressure to shave prior to a skin check to remove hair from your legs, underarms, or bikini area.

But it’s totally unnecessary to shave before a dermatologist appointment for aesthetic reasons (again, your derm has seen body hair before) — and it can actually make your doctor’s job more difficult.

“Shaving is not helpful, because many times women will come in having rushed to the appointment, and they have shaved and caused some bleeding cuts, which can mimic worrisome lesions,” Thosani says.

If you feel like you absolutely have to shave before a skin check, do your best not to rush it. Other shaving tips from Cleveland Clinic that can help you avoid skin irritation and minimize the risk of cuts include:

• Exfoliating before you shave
• Using a new or sharp razor
• Using shaving cream or gel
• Shaving by following the grain (the way your hair grows)
• Rinsing your razor frequently while shaving
• Rinsing your skin with cold water following your shave
• Applying moisturizer to rehydrate your skin afterward

Better yet, try to shave a few days ‌before your appointment instead.

3. Wearing Makeup

As with shaving, some people might feel the need to look “put together” before a skin check, and this might include applying makeup. You may also have scheduled your appointment before or after work, when you might have already applied makeup for the day.

But, like shaving, this can make your dermatologist’s job tougher.

“Makeup can camouflage subtle signs of concerning lesions and hide early skin cancers and precancers,” says Thosani. “If we wait until a cancer is bleeding, then it’s already found later than it could have been seen.”

Your derm may actually end up wiping off the makeup you applied to get a better look at your skin.

If you wear makeup, your best bet is to bring it and apply it ‌after‌ your skin check, so that your dermatologist can see you fresh-faced.

4. Wearing Nail Polish

While having nail polish on isn’t a reason to postpone your skin check, your derm likely wouldn’t recommend getting a manicure or pedicure before your appointment.

“Patients often apologize for not having their nails done prior to their visit,” says Dr. Rose. “Actually, it is better to come without nail polish on, so we can evaluate your nail health and check for any concerning lesions there.”

This is because it is possible for skin cancer to develop under your nails (called subungual melanoma), and nail polish — especially darker colors — can mask the kind of skin irregularities your dermatologist is looking for.

5. Not Moisturizing

While dermatologists overwhelmingly stress that people shouldn’t feel the need to do any kind of preparation to their bodies before an appointment, they do recommend applying moisturizer to your face, hands, and body if you can.

“I often have patients who have super dry, flaky skin tell me that they ‘didn't want to put cream on and hide anything,’” Thosani says. “However, moisturizer on the skin helps to eliminate the glare from the white dry flakes, and my analogy is that it’s like wiping the fog off of a mirror or window.”

So, if you have time before your appointment, slather some cream or moisturizer on your face and body. Just try to avoid any tinted formulas that could cover up a skin concern.

You may also want to ask your dermatologist about which moisturizer works best for your skin type, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD). They can advise you on whether to use a lotion, a cream, or a lighter formula like a gel.

No matter which type of moisturizer you use, it’s best to apply it right after you get out of the shower, according to the AAD. And if you have dry skin, you may want to avoid moisturizer with fragrances, since these can be irritating.

6. Not Sharing Your Full Medical History

If you’re going to a new dermatologist who doesn’t know your whole history, it’s important to fill them in on any previous skin concerns you may have had, as that can influence your care.

For example, if you have a history of invasive melanoma, your doctor will likely want to check your lymph nodes during the exam to monitor for recurrence, Thosani says.

Equally important is making sure your derm knows your family’s medical history — and not just whether someone on your family tree had skin cancer. The more your doctor knows about your family’s history in general, the better they can assess your level of risk.

Some genetic mutations run in families that cause a cluster of related issues, Thosani says, such as the BRCA gene mutation, which is associated with both breast cancer and melanoma.

“While you might think it's ‘just skin’ and we don't need to know about all your other medical history, surgical history, or medications, we really do,” she says.

While you’re at it, give your dermatologist a quick rundown about the origins of any scars you have too.

“A scar from a bicycle accident will get less scrutiny than one from a prior melanoma,” says Thosani.

And, finally, you can give your doctor a list of any medications you take. Some medications may make you more sensitive to sunlight, increase your risk of skin cancer, or lead to other skin side effects, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

7. Being Dishonest About Sun Safety

Finally, there’s the million-dollar dermatology question: “Do you wear SPF?”

Good sun-safety habits include taking breaks in the shade, wearing clothing that blocks the sun, ‌and‌ using sunscreen (at least SPF 30) every day, according to the AAD. It’s best to apply 1 ounce (the size of a shot glass) of sunscreen every two hours.

But you’re not doing yourself any favors if you don’t share exactly how much sun protection you’re using. Your dermatologist needs to be fully aware of the type of sun exposure you’ve had in order to examine you properly.

They might want to closely examine skin areas that come into contact with UV rays from the sun or from tanning booths, for example. They also need to know about any frequent or severe sunburns you’ve had.

“Lying about sun safety can also make it harder for the dermatologist to counsel you on preventive approaches,” adds Thosani. “UV damage tends to build up in the skin like a bank account you can never withdraw from.”