So ladies, go to the dermatologist.

We all know that going to the dermatologist can be a humiliating experience. It’s not always the kind of appointment you look forward to, especially when you know you may have to take off your clothes, wrap yourself in a paper-thin gown, and sit in a cool room staring at all four walls waiting for the doctor. Y you know you’re waiting for the doctor to come in and look at your body… the same body that has been meaning to get on that treadmill for the past month… or last year. But you’ve taken care of the things you can control: You’ve made sure to shower and shave your legs, and to wear underwear that’s nice (but conservative), but mostly clean and hole-free. You did your hair and makeup and all the other things we usually do before we walk out the door into the public.

As a dermatologist and a woman, ladies, I’m going to take a chance on some good advice about your next visit. While all your efforts to shave, shower, and wear clean underwear are greatly appreciated, they are probably more important because they make you feel more comfortable, which is extremely important. I would like to give you some tips that will be of great help to make the most of your next visit to the dermatologist. Some of these may surprise you.

1. Don’t wear any face makeup! This is probably the hardest to swallow. It doesn’t matter if you’re seeing a dermatologist for acne or skin cancer. Makeup is meant to cover things up. Covers red spots, brown spots, blackheads, dark circles under the eyes. It also covers skin cancers, skin precancers, abnormal moles, and acne. I could go on and on, but the point is that it covers your bareThe same as you are at your dermatologist to have it checked out. Most dermatologists will ask you to remove your makeup because if your dermatologist can’t see it, she can’t treat it. It is understandable that there are times when you have to go to your appointment with makeup on, for example, if you come from work. In that case, be prepared to remove it, and bring your makeup if you need to reapply it after your appointment.

two. Take off your nail polish. Another hard. I know pedicures don’t come cheap, so the idea of ​​removing your polish before your appointment isn’t necessarily appealing. However, the nails can say a lot, not only about the skin, but also about other problems that could be occurring internally. You can also develop skin cancer under the nails or cuticles. Melanoma in those areas can appear as a very subtle colored streak on a fingernail. Those kinds of things will be lost if you cover your nails with nail polish. So remember ladies, take off your nail polish.

3. Do not apply lotions to the skin before your appointment. You may not want anyone to see your dry skin, but we can take it and we can treat it. The lotion can change the appearance of a lesion in its natural state, making it more difficult to diagnose. Oh, and while I’m thinking about it, as women we tend to apply lotion to our recently shaved legs, I just want to tell you that it’s okay if you forget to shave. It doesn’t bother us at all. After all, dermatologists are specialists in the skin, nails, and hatred!

Four. Leave your hair down and be prepared for it to get a little messy. A full body exam includes the scalp, and you cannot see the scalp without moving the hair a little. It also makes it difficult to see the scalp through stiff hair with hairspray.

5. Get ready to undress completely. Some of you may be a bit uncomfortable with this, but remember, skin is everywhere. That includes under your bra, on your breasts, on your buttocks, between your buttocks, and in the pubic area. Despite the fact that those areas may not have seen as much sun as the skin on your arms and legs, you are just as likely to develop melanoma-type skin cancer in those areas as in any other area. And while your dermatologist probably won’t put you in stirrups for a regular skin exam, you should consider removing your underwear so you can check those areas. If you feel uncomfortable, you can always request that the physician’s assistant be in the room during your exam. If the thought of stripping completely makes you uncomfortable, consider wearing that thong you left on purpose in the drawer. I can’t tell you how many times a patient has apologized to me for wearing a thong because it was deemed inappropriate in the doctor’s office. Believe it or not, it shows more skin, and skin is what your dermatologist is looking for for unwanted lesions.

6. Consider leaving your jewelry at home. This one is self explanatory. You would be surprised what a watch or a large necklace can hide.

7. Don’t worry about not getting on that treadmill. Your dermatologist sees big people, little people, short people, tall people, young people, old people. We have seen every shape and curve that exists or can be imagined several times a day. So if you are self-aware, put your fear aside. Your dermatologist is just looking at your skin and focusing on finding problem areas, none of us are judging your body, shape, or size. Our concern is your health, not your physique.