Every fall, thousands of seasonal residents arrive in Palm Beach County from New York, New Jersey, the Midwest and Canada. For many of them, skin care falls through the cracks. A skin check gets pushed to spring, a prescription runs out, or a treatment plan started up north never gets finished.
It does not have to work that way. Our Palm Beach Gardens office sees many patients who split their year between two homes. And because Mandel Dermatology also has offices in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Long Island, Chicago and Boulder, some patients can see us in both places.
Key takeaways
- Winter in Florida is a smart time for your yearly skin check, especially after a summer outdoors up north.
- Bring your records, medication list and biopsy history, or ask your northern dermatologist to send them.
- Plan prescription refills before you travel, and ask about longer supplies for long stays.
- Treatments that need follow-up, like skin cancer treatment or a cosmetic series, can be timed around your season.
- Florida sun is strong all year. Daily sunscreen matters in January too.
Why snowbirds need a plan
Seasonal residents often have more sun exposure than almost anyone else. Summers up north on the golf course, the lake or the beach, and then winters in one of the sunniest parts of the country. Over the years that adds up, and it is one reason skin cancer and precancers are so common among retirees who winter in Florida.
The other challenge is continuity. When care is split between two places, it is easy for a changing spot to go unchecked for a year or for a follow-up to be missed. A little planning keeps everything connected.
Schedule your skin check for the winter
If your last full-body skin exam was in the spring or summer, winter in Palm Beach Gardens is a natural time for the next one. Many people find it easier to make appointments when they are settled in for a few months rather than squeezing a visit in before they leave.
A full skin cancer screening takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Your provider checks your skin from scalp to toes, looks closely at any spots you are worried about, and recommends a biopsy if something needs a closer look. If you have a history of skin cancer, we will talk about how often you should be seen, which may mean a visit in each home.
Bring your records with you
The most useful thing you can bring to your first visit is information. Before you head south, gather or request:
- A list of current medications, including creams and injections
- Dates and results of any skin biopsies
- Any history of melanoma, basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma, and how each was treated
- Notes on moles or spots your other dermatologist is watching
- Photos of spots you are tracking
Your northern office can usually fax or send records electronically. When you book, let our team know you are a seasonal patient so we can plan your visit.
Keep prescriptions and treatments on track
Prescriptions
If you use prescription creams for conditions like rosacea, eczema or psoriasis, plan refills before you travel. Many pharmacy chains can transfer prescriptions between states. For medications like biologics that require prior authorization or specialty pharmacy delivery, contact your insurer and pharmacy early so a shipment arrives at your Florida address.
Treating precancers and skin cancer
Rough, scaly spots called actinic keratoses are very common in people with years of sun exposure. They can be treated with freezing or with a course of topical medication. If you are starting a topical treatment that causes redness for a few weeks, it can be easier to do it during a long Florida stay than to juggle it with travel.
If a biopsy shows skin cancer, we can often treat it at our office with skin cancer removal. Tell your provider about your travel dates so treatment and any follow-up fit into your season.
Cosmetic plans
Cosmetic treatments such as Botox and fillers, Sculptra and chemical peels are offered in Palm Beach Gardens. A series of treatments fits neatly into a winter stay. Energy-based and laser treatments are offered at some of our other offices, so ask if you want to continue a laser plan up north.
Florida winter sun is still strong
It is easy to underestimate January sun, especially on a cool, breezy day. In South Florida the UV index often reaches moderate to high levels even in winter. A few habits help:
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every morning
- Reapply every two hours outdoors, and after swimming or sweating
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat and UPF clothing for golf, tennis, boating and pickleball
- Do not forget the tops of your ears, the back of your neck, your scalp and the backs of your hands
Skin problems that often show up in a Florida winter
Moving from a cold, dry northern winter to South Florida is usually good for the skin, but it brings its own changes. A few we see often in seasonal residents:
- Flares of rosacea and redness from more sun, heat and outdoor dining
- Heat rash and fungal rashes in skin folds, especially for people who are more active outdoors than they are up north
- New or darkening brown spots after the first few weeks of strong sun
- Thin, easily bruised skin on the forearms and hands, which becomes more noticeable in short sleeves
- Dry, itchy skin from air conditioning, pool water and frequent showers
Most of these are easy to manage once they are identified. If something new appears in your first few weeks in Florida, it is better to get it looked at early than to wait until you head home.
A simple checklist before you head south
- Book your Palm Beach Gardens skin check for early in your stay.
- Ask your northern dermatologist to send your records.
- Refill prescriptions and confirm pharmacy transfers.
- Pack sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat and UPF clothing.
- Take photos of any spots you are watching so we can compare.
- Before you go north again, book any follow-up you need at home.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see a dermatologist in Florida if I already have one up north?
Yes. Many of our patients see us in Palm Beach Gardens during the winter and another dermatologist during the rest of the year. Sharing records between the two keeps your care connected.
Do you accept Medicare?
Our Palm Beach Gardens office accepts Medicare, Aetna and Cigna. If you have another plan, contact our team to discuss your options. See our insurance page for more.
Who will I see?
Our Palm Beach Gardens providers include Dr. Mitchell Mandel, a board-certified dermatologist and our founder, and Christine Sacco, FNP-C.
I have an office near my northern home too. Can I see Mandel Dermatology in both places?
If your other home is near one of our offices in New York, Long Island, Chicago or Boulder, yes. You can see all of our locations here.
Book your winter visit
Our Palm Beach Gardens office is at 3345 Burns Road, Suite 101, with on-site parking. Book online or call or text (561) 567-6775. Let us know you are a seasonal resident and we will help plan your care around your stay.