Prescreening Instructions for Thermography

1 week before your appointment please AVOID:

  • Major sunburns in the areas to be imaged

24 hours before your appointment please AVOID:

  • Heavy exercise that will lead to soreness
  • Acupuncture, massage, or chiropractic that may leave marks on the skin or local inflammation
  • Sauna or steam rooms that may lead to elevated body temperature

On the day of your scan, please AVOID:

  • Strenuous exercise
  • Shaving in the areas to be imaged (avoid irritation/cutting)
  • Using excessive lotions, powders, anti-perspirants, or very thick/heavy makeup in the areas that will be imaged (normal application of these items are acceptable)
  • Sun exposure (excessive) or tanning booths
  • Kidney dialysis
  • Skin brushing/Dry brushing

2 hours prior to your scan, please AVOID:

  • Very hot or very cold showers – normal showers are okay
  • Smoking
  • Heated seats, electric blankets, or other heating/cooling devices that may alter body temperatures

What to Wear

  • Please try to avoid wearing very tight clothing that will leave marks on your skin.
    • If you have irritation marks from tight fitting clothing, we will have to wait until the marks have dissipated prior to starting your thermogram.
  • Jewelry will be removed for the scan – you may remove them in our office prior to imaging or (best) leave them at home
  • Please wear your hair pulled back or pinned up.
    • For a breast scan, no hair can be touching your shoulders
    • For half body or full body scans, all hair needs to be pulled out of the face and up off the neck.
    • We have headbands, clips, and hair ties in the office and can assist you if needed.

No changes to diet or medication are necessary prior to your thermogram

  • Please continue to take all necessary medications as prescribed by your physician
  • If you are able to avoid anti-inflammatory use prior to your scan this is preferred; however, if taken please make sure you let the thermographer know
  • If you have received a vaccine in the last 4 weeks, please relay this to your thermographer, including which arm the vaccine was received

You MUST wait 3 months after completing the following before having a thermogram:

  • You’ve had a major breast surgery (mastectomy, lumpectomy, breast implants, etc)
  • You are have or are currently undergoing chemotherapy or radiation
  • You are pregnant
  • You are breastfeeding a child

You MUST wait 1 month after completing the following before having a thermogram:

  • Breast biopsy
  • Minor surgery in imaging area (ie mole removal)