A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in conditions involving the skin, hair, and nails. The skin is the largest organ in the body and is incredible in that it serves as our first line of defence against disease, protects your other organs, regulates your temperature and may also reflect disease happening elsewhere inside the body serving as a window or canvas if you will to the rest of the body. 

Dermatologists are experts in managing this organ as before they even start practicing, they have had more than a decade of training, including: 

• 6 years at medical school
• 2 years medical internship & 1 year community service
• 4 years specialist training in diseases of hair skin and nails. 

During the final 4 years they study the skin anatomy, histology, physiology and chemistry which puts them in a unique position to offer expert advice on prevention and treatment of more than 3000 skin conditions.

A total body skin exam is usually done when you or your dermatologist is concerned about skin cancer. Skin cancer can occur anywhere on your body, so the exam is a “head-to-toe” affair.

During this visit you may be asked to undress and wear a gown. Dr Lauren Knight will then look over your body making use of her dermatoscope which is a specialised illuminated magnifying glass that allows for better evaluation of the layers of the skin. This allows for the detection of changes which may suggest a cancer that otherwise cannot be seen with the naked eye. 

Following the examination any suspicious lesions will be documented either for closer follow up or for removal to be sent for cancer evaluation. 

Not every visit to Dr Lauren Knight will require a total body skin exam. If the skin problem occurs in a specific area of the body only those areas will need to be examined. 

Mole mapping is a form of total body photography that serves to record the location and nature or lesions and moles on the body. The photographs serve two purposes in that they can detect an immediate problem, but then also serve as a reference to help detect any changes in existing lesions or new lesions at subsequent follow ups.

Once the picture has been taken and stored, Dr Lauren Knight will review the pictures and your lesions of concern with a dermatoscope and perhaps even take further pictures as needed. 

Mole mapping is a good technique to monitor patients with many pigmented lesions or atypical lesions but is not necessary for all patients. Patients who are likely to benefit from mole mapping include:

• Those with many moles
• Patients with atypical moles
• People with fair skin and a history of excessive sun exposure
• Patients with a personal history of melanoma
• Patients with a family history (1st-degree relatives) of melanoma

We’ve all been in the situation where your appointment arrives, and the skin rash has changed or even that you walk out the door and suddenly remember you forgot to ask about something. 
To avoid this

• Make a list - Make a list of your concerns. Remember to be realistic about how much we may be able to cover during your appointment. 
• Bring photos - This is especially important if your skin has changed. Please save these in an easily accessible way so you do not waste time scrolling through your photos.
• Have realistic expectations - Regarding what we can cover, achieve and address in one visit. 
• Wear loose clothing - This makes it easier to examine you comfortably.
• Do not wear makeup - There is nothing worse than trying to see skin problems through a layer of makeup. 
• Remove your nail polish - This allows for evaluation of the nail beds as the nails are commonly involved with skin conditions. 
• Never book treatments on the same day as an event.

If you have seen Dr Knight in the preceding 6 months a repeat script can be emailed to you or you can collect it at the practice. This service will be billed at a fee of R250 to be paid prior to email or upon collection.