Total Body Skin Exam (TBSE)
Is it time for a total body skin exam?
Whether you’re a diligent sunscreen wearer or not, a regular total body skin exam is an important way to protect yourself against skin-related health problems. Doctors recommend getting a TBSE at least once a year to determine what treatments you might need. Give your largest organ a little love and book an appointment with one of our specialists today.
What is a total body skin exam?
A total body skin exam is exactly what it sounds like. Your dermatologist checks your skin’s surface for any irregular conditions including rashes, dry patches, irregular moles and warts or skin tags. He or she will thoroughly check the hard to reach areas of the body like your scalp and behind your ears that you can’t effectively monitor.
Why is it important to get a TBSE?
While aging and sun exposure will take their toll on your skin, early detection of potential issues can minimize long-term damage. Almost all skin cancers are curable if caught early, so an annual checkup could not only improve your skin health, but it could also save your life.
Self-examination tips
Doctors recommend completing a self-examination of your skin once a month. The best time to do a self-examination is after a shower, when you’re unclothed. Check your entire body, focusing on areas that might be easily overlooked like between your fingers and around your hairline. Make note of any rashes and moles that seem to have changed in shape or color so you can point them out to your dermatologist during your next total body skin exam.
Book an appointment now- Do a self-examination every month
- Pay special attention to moles and recurrent rashes
- Check in often overlooked areas like your scalp and between your toes
How to prepare for a TBSE
To make sure your total body skin exam is as thorough as possible, refrain from wearing any makeup or nail polish and keep your hair loose. If you have any specific concerns, relay them to your dermatologist at the beginning of your appointment. Be prepared to answer questions about your family history of skin cancer and provide a list of medication you’re taking.
Duration: 10-20 minutes
Frequency: Annually (more frequent for high-risk patients)
Start with an appointment
What happens next?
If your dermatologist has concerns about a particular rash or mole, he or she may take a sample of your skin for further testing and schedule a follow-up appointment to develop a treatment plan. A total body skin exam is covered by most insurance plans because it is considered preventative. Our experienced staff is here to guide you through the process from initial exam to treatment and procedure options.
Featured Medical Staff
Joining Us Soon! - Dr. Heather Lampel
Heather Lampel, MD, MPH is double board certified in Dermatology and Occupational Medicine. She received her medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and completed her post-graduate year-1 at the Mayo Clinic Scottsdale. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh while also completing an Occupational and Environmental Medicine Residency. Additionally, she completed her Dermatology Residency at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Lampel is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Dr. Lampel gives local and national lectures and has written several publications. Although she has many clinical interests, Dr. Lampel focuses on the prevention, early detection, and treatment of skin cancer, including melanoma. “I greatly enjoy the “sleuthing” challenge of medicine and, more importantly, applying this skill to improve patients’ lives. Whether it is through finding skin cancer or making a challenging dermatologic diagnosis, I am grateful for the privilege to be a part of my patients’ lives and health.”
Location: Sona Dermatology & MedSpa of Raleigh – North Raleigh
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Featured Medical Staff
Suzanne Craven, PA-C
Suzanne Craven is a board certified Physician Assistant with three years of experience, who specializes in medical dermatology for all ages and a broad range of conditions, as well as cosmetic dermatology services. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from UNC-Greensboro and Master’s Degree from Wake Forest Medical School, where she focused on Physician Assistant Studies. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, as well as the Society of Dermatology of Physician Assistants. It is Suzanne’s passion to evaluate, diagnose and treat an array of dermatological conditions.
Location: Sona Dermatology & MedSpa of Raleigh – North Raleigh
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Featured Medical Staff
Dr. Carol A. Trakimas
Dr. Carol A. Trakimas is a board-certified Dermatologist with 20 years’ of experience. In addition to her Doctorate in Medicine, she holds Bachelor and Master Degrees in science. Dr. Trakimas completed her internship and residency training at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and was a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army, where she provided medical and dermatology care to our troops and their families. Dr. Trakimas is a Diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and member of the North Carolina Dermatology Association and other medical societies.
Location: Sona Dermatology & MedSpa of Raleigh – North Raleigh
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Featured Medical Staff
Tarsha Rivens, PA-C
Tarsha Rivens is a board certified Physician Assistant with eight years of experience, who specializes in acne, eczema, scalp issues and addressing hair loss. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from St. Augustine’s College and a Master’s Degree from East Carolina University, where she focused on Physician Assistant Studies. She is a member of the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistant, as well as the American Academy of Physician Assistant. It is Tarsha’s passion to provide compassionate, thoughtful, and in-depth dermatology evaluations to patients with a wide variety of skin maladies.
Location: Sona Dermatology & MedSpa of Raleigh – Cary
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If you know Sona for laser hair removal, Botox, CoolSculpting, or any of our other services, you know that we are dedicated to providing a full-service experience that focuses on convenience, quality, and efficacy. We’re very excited to announce the addition of medical dermatology to our suite of services, now available in select locations. Now Sona offers complete care for the health and beauty of your skin.
“The staff at Sona MedSpa is very informative, courteous, and made me feel a part of the Sona team. Not to mention, the results are amazing! For Laser Hair Removal, I wouldn’t recommend anywhere else, but Sona MedSpa!”
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