What Happens During a Skin Check?

A skin check is one of those appointments many people know they should book, but are not always sure what to expect from. Will the GP check every mole? Do you need to undress? What happens if something looks unusual? And how do you know whether a spot is worth mentioning?

At Shire Family Medical, skin checks are approached as part of preventative health care. The aim is to assess new, changing or concerning spots, review your individual risk factors, and guide the next step if something needs closer attention.

This article explains what usually happens during a skin check, how to prepare, and why noticing changes early can make a difference.

Why Skin Checks Matter in Australia

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. A history of sun exposure, sunburn, fair skin, outdoor work, family history, previous skin cancers and age can all affect a person’s risk.

Skin cancers are not always painful or obvious. Some appear as a new spot. Others develop from an existing mole or patch of skin that starts to change. A lesion may bleed, crust, itch, become scaly, fail to heal or simply look different from the other marks on your skin.

Because skin changes can be subtle, a skin check can be useful even if you are unsure whether something is serious. Your GP can look more closely and decide whether monitoring, treatment, biopsy or referral is needed.

What Your GP Looks For

During a skin check, your GP is looking for skin changes that may need closer assessment. This may include moles, freckles, sunspots, lumps, scaly areas, sores that do not heal, or lesions that look different from surrounding skin.

One common way to think about suspicious moles is the ABCDE guide:

• Asymmetry: one half of the spot looks different from the other.
• Border: the edge is irregular, notched or spreading.
• Colour: the spot has multiple colours or has changed colour.
• Diameter: the spot is growing or becoming larger.
• Evolving: the spot is changing in size, shape, colour, surface or symptoms.

The ABCDE guide is helpful, but it is not the whole story. Some skin cancers do not follow a neat checklist. That is why a spot that is new, changing, bleeding, crusting, itchy, tender or simply different from your other spots should be checked.

How To Prepare for a Skin Check

A little preparation can make the appointment more useful.

Before your visit, it may help to:

• Make a note of any spots you are worried about.
• Take photos if a spot has been changing over time.
• Remove nail polish if you want your nails checked.
• Avoid heavy makeup if you have facial spots of concern.
• Wear clothing that is easy to remove if a full skin check is planned.
• Tell your GP about previous skin cancers, biopsies or treatments.
• Mention any family history of melanoma or skin cancer.

If you are booking specifically for a full-body skin check, let reception know so the right appointment type can be arranged. A dedicated skin check allows more time than briefly mentioning a spot at the end of another consultation.

What Happens During the Appointment?

Your GP will usually begin by asking about your skin history and any spots you have noticed. They may ask whether a lesion is new, whether it has changed, whether it bleeds or crusts, whether it itches, and whether you have had previous skin cancers or significant sun exposure.

For a more thorough skin review, you may be asked to remove outer clothing so your skin can be examined. You can ask questions at any point, and you may choose to have a support person present if that helps you feel more comfortable.

Your GP may check areas such as the face, ears, scalp line, neck, arms, hands, trunk, back, legs and feet. Skin cancers can sometimes occur in places that are not always exposed to the sun, so it is important to mention any spot that concerns you, even if it is in a less visible area.

Shire Family Medical’s Skin Cancer Checks & Mole Examinations service includes GP skin checks using dermatoscopy, which allows magnified examination of skin features that may not be visible to the naked eye.

What Is Dermatoscopy?

Dermatoscopy uses a handheld magnifying device called a dermatoscope. It helps the GP examine structures, colours and patterns within a mole or lesion more closely.

Dermatoscopy does not turn a skin check into a guaranteed diagnosis on the spot. Rather, it helps guide clinical judgement. If a lesion has concerning features, your GP may recommend monitoring, photography, biopsy, removal, cryotherapy or referral depending on what is found.

The important point is that dermatoscopy adds detail. It helps your GP look beneath the surface appearance of a spot and decide whether further action is needed.

What If Something Looks Concerning?

If your GP identifies a lesion that needs further assessment, they will explain the next step. This does not automatically mean you have skin cancer. Many spots need checking, monitoring or sampling before a clear answer is available.

Depending on the lesion, your GP may recommend:

• Monitoring the spot and reviewing it again after a set period.
• Clinical photography for comparison over time.
• Cryotherapy for selected lesions where appropriate.
• A biopsy or minor procedure.
• Referral to a dermatologist, surgeon or other specialist.

Some minor skin procedures may be performed on site where clinically appropriate. More complex cases may need referral. Your GP will explain why a particular pathway is recommended.

How Often Should You Have a Skin Check?

There is no single schedule that suits everyone. The right timing depends on your risk factors, skin history and what your GP finds.

Some people may need more regular checks because they have a previous history of skin cancer, many moles, strong family history, significant sun exposure, fair skin, immune suppression or other risk factors. Others may only need periodic review or assessment when something changes.

This is why it is worth asking your GP how often you should be checked, rather than relying on a general rule. For some patients, skin checks may also be part of broader preventative care, alongside age-appropriate GP health checks and other screening discussions.

Checking Your Own Skin Between Appointments

Skin checks do not replace knowing your own skin. You see your skin more often than anyone else, so you may be the first to notice a change.

Try to become familiar with your usual moles, freckles and marks. Use a mirror for hard-to-see areas, or ask someone you trust to check your back, shoulders or scalp line. If you notice a new spot, a changing spot, or something that looks different from your other marks, book a GP appointment rather than waiting to see what happens.

It can also help to take clear photos of spots you are monitoring, especially if you are unsure whether they are changing. Photos should not replace medical review, but they can help you describe what you have noticed.

What About Skin Checks for Men?

Men can be less likely to raise skin concerns early, especially if a spot is on the back, scalp, shoulders or another area that is easy to ignore. Outdoor work, sport, fishing, surfing, gardening and years of incidental sun exposure can all add up.

If a partner or family member says a mole looks different, it is worth taking that seriously. Our related article on what happens after a blood test explains a broader point that also applies here: preventive care is often about patterns, follow-up and context, not panic.

A skin check is a practical way to turn uncertainty into a clearer plan.

When To Book Sooner

Do not wait for a routine review if you notice a spot that concerns you.

Book a GP appointment sooner if a spot:

• Is new and unusual.
• Changes in size, shape or colour.
• Looks different from your other spots.
• Bleeds, crusts or does not heal.
• Itches, tingles or becomes tender.
• Develops a lump or raised area.
• Has an irregular border or multiple colours.

Even if the spot turns out to be harmless, it is better to have it assessed than to ignore a genuine change.

A Skin Check Is a Conversation, Not Just an Examination

A good skin check should leave you clearer about your risk, what your GP has found, and what to do next. You can ask which spots were checked, whether any need monitoring, how often you should return, and what signs should prompt an earlier appointment.

For patients in Sutherland and the Sutherland Shire, Shire Family Medical provides GP skin checks using dermatoscopy, with treatment or referral pathways where clinically appropriate.

👉 Learn more about skin cancer checks at Shire Family Medical