Preparing for your appointment‍

Being well-prepared can help things run smoothly once you’re in the room for your skincare consultation with the dermatologist. Here’s a few areas where a little skin consultation preparation can really help.

‍

Have all your medical information ready

Your dermatologist will want to review your skin concerns and your relevant medical and family history. Be prepared to discuss this information – it may be helpful for you to write some things down on a piece of paper. Keeping a record of your symptoms – what, when, how long, triggers, any treatment – can also help remind you of the important information you may want to share with the dermatologist.^1-3

‍

If you were referred to the dermatologist by your GP, they may have already contacted the dermatologist to share your information. But it’s always a good idea to bring your referral letter with you to your first appointment.²

‍

It's important to have a list of all the medications and supplements you are currently taking to share with your dermatologist. Your dermatologist is also going to want to know what skincare products you are currently using, and about products you have tried in the past.^2,3

‍

Take pictures

Because your skin may not look and feel the same every day, it’s always possible that you have a good skin day right in time for your appointment! So, it can be beneficial to bring photos of your skin concerns with you to your appointment. This can help your dermatologist understand what your skin is like and why you want it checked out.³

‍

Prepare your questions

Before your appointment, think about what you want to find out from the dermatologist – this might be related to your skin condition, to treatment options, or general skin care. Write down any questions you have and take them along to your appointment to ask the dermatologist during your consultation.^1,2

‍

Be clean and comfortable

Part of your dermatology consultation will involve a skin examination. Ensure your skin is clean, preferably without make-up, and wear comfortable, loose clothing that will make it easy for the dermatologist to check any areas of your skin that may usually be covered up.^1,3

‍

During your appointment

You may feel a little self-conscious talking about your skin concerns or having someone look closely at all those bits and bumps. Knowing what to expect during your dermatology appointment may help you feel more at ease.

‍

Review of medical history

During the first part of your dermatology consultation, the dermatologist will typically review your personal information and medical history before focusing on the primary reason for your visit. They will likely ask questions about your skin concerns, including any signs or symptoms you have noticed or experienced and how long they have been around.¹

‍

Skin exam

After reviewing your medical information, the dermatologist will perform a skin examination. This will involve the doctor carefully checking the areas of skin that you are concerned about. During this exam, the dermatologist may use special magnifying lenses or other tools to get a better look at your skin.^1,4

‍

Prescribed medications/treatments

Once your dermatologist has examined your skin, they will discuss their findings with you and talk about possible treatment options. They may want to perform additional tests such as a skin biopsy to help guide their diagnosis or treatment decisions. Before performing any tests or recommending any medications or procedures, your dermatologist will describe what they are for you, as well as how they work and possible side effects. If your dermatologist prescribes a medication, they will review with you how to take it and what to look out for once you start using it.^5,6

‍

Common dermatologist procedures

As well as performing skin examinations to diagnose skin conditions, dermatologists perform a range of different skincare procedures to help manage those conditions. Here are a few common procedures that your dermatologist may perform in their office.^3,5

‍

Skin biopsy

A dermatologist may recommend a skin biopsy to help determine the cause of a skin condition. During a biopsy, a small piece of skin tissue is removed for examination under a microscope.⁶

‍

Lesion excision

Dermatologists sometimes perform small surgical procedures called excisions to cut out and remove a skin lesion as part of diagnosis and/or treatment.^3,6

‍

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion are techniques that use special tools to essentially ‘sand’ away the top layers of skin to reveal the underlying skin.⁴

‍

Laser surgery

Dermatologists can use different types of light beams – lasers – to treat different skin conditions. Types of laser surgery performed by dermatologists include laser skin resurfacing and fractional resurfacing.⁴

‍

Chemical peel

Chemical peels involve the dermatologist applying a special liquid to the skin – usually the face. This helps to remove or shed the outermost layers of skin to reveal a new layer of skin.⁴

‍

Remember to ask questions

Whether it’s something about your skin condition, what’s happening during the consultation, or what your treatment options are, always remember that you can ask questions at any time. If something is not clear or you don’t understand, it’s okay to ask your dermatologist to explain it again. At the end of your appointment, make sure you are clear about your next steps and what follow-up is required.

‍