Skin assessment clinic at Leeds Hospital

What is a skin assessment clinic?

A skin assessment clinic is an appointment where a specialist examines your skin, whether you're worried about a mole or lesion, living with a skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis, or simply want expert advice about your skin. The specialist examines you, discusses your concerns, and recommends a plan for what happens next.

What conditions does it cover?

A skin assessment can cover a wide range of concerns, including:

• a new or changing mole or skin lesion that needs checking for skin cancer or a pre-cancerous change
• ongoing skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis or rosacea
• rashes or other changes to your skin
• general concerns such as mild acne, congested skin, open pores, pigmentation, dullness or early signs of ageing
• not knowing where to start with a skin concern.

What are the benefits of a skin assessment?

Seeing a specialist means any concerning lesions can be checked quickly, with tests such as a biopsy available if needed to confirm or rule out a diagnosis. For more general skin concerns, a thorough assessment gives you a personalised, expert plan for your skin, rather than guessing what might help.

Are there different types of assessment?

Depending on where you're seen and why, your assessment might be with a consultant dermatologist, a specialist nurse, or another trained practitioner. Appointments are usually in person, though some clinics also offer video consultations for certain concerns.

If your GP is worried about possible skin cancer, you may be referred on an urgent pathway, aiming to see a specialist within a set number of weeks. For other skin concerns, you can typically arrange an appointment through your GP or by booking directly with a private clinic.

What happens before your appointment?

If you're referred by your GP because of a worrying lesion, they may take photographs to send with the referral, which a consultant reviews before you're offered an appointment. If your GP is concerned about possible cancer, you should expect to be seen quickly, generally within a few weeks.

If you're arranging a private skin assessment yourself, you can usually book directly, and a member of the clinic team will contact you to arrange a convenient appointment time.

What happens during your appointment?

1. A nurse or member of the clinic team calls you through when the specialist is ready to see you.
2. The specialist discusses your concerns and examines the relevant area of skin, or, if you're having a full skin check, asks you to undress so they can examine all of your skin. You can ask for a chaperone, or decline a full check, if you'd prefer.
3. Photographs of the area may be taken as part of your assessment.
4. Often, the specialist can reach a diagnosis just by examining you. If not, they may take a biopsy, a small sample of skin, using a local anaesthetic injection, in a similar way to a dentist numbing your mouth.
5. If you have a biopsy or minor skin surgery, you may need stitches, and you'll be given written aftercare advice, plus details of when and where to have any stitches removed.
6. Together, you discuss a plan for what happens next, whether that's reassurance, a treatment plan, or further tests.

What happens afterwards?

There's no hospital stay involved. Because your appointment is usually a single outpatient visit, aftercare mainly relates to any biopsy or minor procedure carried out during your visit, rather than the assessment itself.

If you had a biopsy or minor skin surgery, follow the written aftercare advice you're given about looking after your wound, and attend for stitch removal at the time you're told.

• Results aren't usually given over the phone. If the clinic calls you, this is often just to arrange a follow-up appointment, not to share your result
• If a follow-up appointment is needed, this is often around 4 to 6 weeks after a biopsy or procedure
• If you've had treatment for a low-risk skin cancer, you may be offered a patient-initiated follow-up arrangement instead of a routine appointment, meaning you can get back in touch if you have concerns about your scar over the next 6 to 12 months
• Many people aren't given a routine follow-up appointment at all, particularly if there are no concerning findings are identified.