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Five Best Ways To Prepare For A Dermatology Appointment

Five Best Ways to Prepare for a Dermatology Appointment

You’ve scheduled your first appointment at a new dermatologist. Now it’s time to prep for it.

But how to best prepare for a dermatology appointment? The last thing you want is to enter the office unprepared, lest your critical questions go unanswered, or you fail to mention some important skincare factors to your doctor.

Whether you’re here for medical or cosmetic procedures, we’ll go through what you need to know about preparing for your dermatology appointment to ensure you get the maximum benefit from your visit.

Five Ways to Prepare for a Dermatology Appointment

There’s a lot you can do to ensure your dermatology appointment is productive. Follow these tips to be prepared.

1. Compile Some Background Information

Your dermatologist will be meeting you for the first time, so it’s crucial to share all relevant facts about why you booked the appointment.

Consider writing some notes before your dermatologist appointment that you can share about your skin situation. Topics to address include your skin history, what treatments you have tried previously, and any current medications (including supplements) that you’re taking that might impact your skin.

Ultimately, your medical history will play a role when determining your treatment plan. This sometimes include conditions and other factors that don’t directly impact your skin.

2. Write Down All Your Questions

You might think you know what to ask your dermatologist during your appointment, but the visit’s fast pace might lead you to forget. A better idea is to write down your relevant questions ahead of time to ensure they don’t get skipped on appointment day.

3. Find Photos of Previous Flare-Ups

Frequently, your skin changes from when you first make a dermatology appointment to when you actually arrive at the office. This can make it difficult for a dermatologist to determine what’s really going on with your skin.

If possible, bring in photos from when your skin was at its worst. This lets your dermatologist make a diagnosis regarding your overall skin health with as much relevant information as possible.

Those seeking cosmetic treatments should consider bringing in photos of their younger self or the look they want to emulate to give the dermatologist a visual of their goals.

4. Wear Loose Clothing (and Minimal Makeup)

By design, a dermatology appointment requires a doctor to get a good look at your skin. This means it’s in everyone’s best interests for you to wear loose, comfortable clothing that can be moved aside as necessary.

Likewise, covering your skin with concealer and makeup is counterproductive if you want your dermatologist to see what you really look like. Make things simpler for all involved by showing up fresh-faced for your first appointment.

Remember, makeup is often designed to cover the very skin conditions that dermatologists treat, especially if you’re visiting for a cosmetic procedure. Even if you’re coming in for a medical procedure, some skin issues that may become chronic skin conditions over time can be easily concealed by makeup.

5. Remove Your Nail Polish

The state of your nails says a lot about your overall skin health. That’s because many forms of skin cancer first make an appearance in your nail beds, and they can also be a breeding ground for fungi that lead to body rashes.

Take polish off your nails so your dermatologist can see what’s going on under the surface. They may open the option for other treatments depending on your specific condition.

Bonus: Preparing for a Skin Cancer Dermatologist Appointment

Skin cancer is a serious skin problem. However, the treatment plan is usually fairly easy and fast if treated early enough. That’s why diagnosing skin cancer in the early stages is so vital. Here are a few tips to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

If you’re visiting for a skin cancer screening, we highly recommend completely avoiding wearing makeup. Screenings include a full body skin exam. Even minimal coverage can sometimes cover moderate signs of skin cancer.

Also, patients are given an examination gown to replace their clothes ahead of skin cancer screenings. Examination gowns ensure that the skin exam is thorough while still protecting the patient’s privacy. So, please come prepared to change clothes.

Prepare for Your Dermatology Appointment at the Center for Surgical Dermatology in Central Ohio

There’s a lot you can do to ensure that your first dermatology appointment is as efficient and productive as possible. Take the time to prepare beforehand, and there’s a far better chance that your most pressing skin concerns will be addressed appropriately.

Here at the Center for Surgical Dermatology, we’ve been offering comprehensive, state of the art medical and surgical skin treatments since 2007. Each board-certified dermatologist is well-trained not only in maintaining healthy skin, but also providing exceptional care for each patient.

Our offices in Westerville, Gahanna, Columbus, Lancaster, Granville, and Pickerington, OH are here to help you realize your best skin, so make your first appointment today.

If you’d like to learn more about our services and schedule an appointment to achieve your best skin, call (614) 847-4100. 

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