To prepare for a dermatologist appointment, bring your photo ID, insurance card, a list of every medicine and supplement you take, and your allergies. Add a list or photos of the skin and hair products you use, short notes on when your concern started and what you have tried, and photos of any rash or flare that comes and goes. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) also suggests skipping makeup and nail polish so the dermatologist can see your bare skin and nails.
Below is the full checklist, with the reason behind each item. If the office gives you specific instructions for your visit, follow those first.
Bring: photo ID, insurance card, medicine list and allergies
- Photo ID and insurance card. Bring the card for every plan you want billed, including a secondary plan.
- A list of everything you take. Include prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements, and how often you take each. The AAD notes that some of these can affect your skin or interact with other medicines. A photo of each label works too.
- Allergies. List allergies to medicines, adhesives or anything else, and what reaction you had.
- Relevant history. Past skin problems, major illnesses or surgeries, and any family history of skin cancer.
- Past results. If another doctor did a biopsy or lab work related to your skin, the AAD suggests bringing copies of the reports.
If your plan requires a referral to see a specialist, arrange it before the visit. Your insurer can tell you whether yours does. Bay Ridge Dermatology accepts most insurances, including Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, United, Medicare, Oxford, Empire and Humana. Coverage for a specific service depends on your plan, so check with your insurer or call the office. You can also read the practice's insurance information.
Bring: a list or photos of your skin and hair products
What goes on your skin matters as much as what you swallow. A cleanser, fragrance, hair dye or new sunscreen can be part of the story behind a rash, breakouts or irritation.
The easiest way is to photograph the front and the ingredient label of each product, or put them all in a bag and bring them. Include:
- Cleansers, moisturizers, serums and sunscreen
- Makeup and makeup remover
- Shampoo, conditioner, styling products and hair dye
- Anything prescription or over the counter that you apply to your skin
- Products you stopped using because they caused a problem
Write down your concerns: when it started, what changed, what you've tried
Appointments move quickly, and it is easy to forget details once you are in the room. A few lines on paper or in your phone help:
- What the problem is and where it is on your body
- When it started, and whether it is getting better, worse or coming and going
- What seems to make it better or worse, such as heat, stress, the season or a product
- What you have already tried, for how long, and what happened
- Your top two or three questions, most important first
If more than one thing is bothering you, mention it at the start of the visit so there is time to look at everything. Take notes during the visit, and if a word is unfamiliar, ask for it in plain language. The AAD suggests writing down medical names so you can look them up later.
Photos of flares that come and go
Many skin problems look different on the day of the appointment than they did last week. Hives, eczema, flushing and some rashes can fade by the time you are seen. Photos fill that gap.
- Take several pictures from different angles, in good, even light.
- Take one close-up and one from farther away, so it is clear where the area is on your body.
- Photograph it at its worst, not only as it fades.
- If a spot or mole seems to be changing, keep dated photos so the change can be compared over time.
Skip makeup and nail polish if your skin or nails will be examined
The AAD recommends arriving without makeup, nail polish or heavy moisturizer so the dermatologist can examine bare skin and nails. If you need to wear makeup to the appointment, bring makeup remover.
A few related tips:
- MedlinePlus advises skipping makeup and nail polish before a skin cancer screening, since a full-body exam includes your face and nails.
- MedlinePlus also suggests wearing your hair loose so your scalp can be checked.
- Wear clothes that are easy to take off and put back on.
Hold off on new products in the days before the visit
Starting a new cleanser, serum or exfoliating acid right before an appointment can irritate your skin or change how a problem looks, which makes it harder to read. In its advice on preparing skin for an exam by photo, the AAD suggests avoiding hot showers, rubbing or picking at the skin, and applying skin care products beforehand. The same thinking is useful before an in-person visit.
This is about new products, not your prescriptions. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own. If you are not sure whether to use a treatment before your visit, call the office and ask.
If something changes before your appointment
Some changes should not wait for a routine visit. Call the office about an earlier appointment if a spot bleeds without an injury, grows quickly, or looks very different from your other spots. Get medical care the same day, at urgent care or an emergency room, if a rash spreads fast, blisters, comes with a fever, or if skin becomes painful, hot and swollen. Call 911 if you have swelling of your lips, tongue or throat, or trouble breathing.
New patient at Bay Ridge? Forms and booking
New patients can book online through NexHealth, using the link at the end of this article. Information about new-patient paperwork is on the patient forms page. Check it before your visit, and call the office if you have questions about what to fill in. The what to expect page walks through a first visit.
Bay Ridge Dermatology sees patients of all ages, from children to older adults. If you are bringing a child, bring their insurance card and a list of their medicines and products too. If you would prefer care in Mandarin or Cantonese, ask for Kerry Ly, PA-C, when you book. The practice also offers same-day appointments, depending on availability.
When you are ready, you can book online or call (347) 497-4984.
This article is general information, not medical advice. For advice about your own skin, see a dermatologist.