Mole Mapping
Also known as: total-body photography or digital dermoscopy
Mole mapping is an advanced skin monitoring service that tracks changes in your moles over time to support early detection of melanoma and protect your long-term skin health.
What is mole mapping?
Mole mapping is a great way to monitor your skin over time. By taking a complete photographic and dermoscopic record of your moles, clinicians can detect any new moles or changes to existing ones that could be melanoma. Early detection is key to better treatment outcomes and can increase the chances of a full recovery. It’s perfect for people with many moles or irregularly shaped ones, as they are at higher risk of skin cancer. If you have pale skin that burns easily or have had significant sun exposure or sunburns, you should consider mole mapping as part of your skin health routine.
Benefits of mole mapping
Beyond early detection, mole mapping has other benefits. It’s a thorough and efficient way to assess your whole body, including areas that are hard to see yourself, like your back. This means no suspicious moles are missed. The use of AI-assisted technology makes mole mapping more accurate by automatically measuring and comparing moles over time, highlighting even the slightest changes in size, shape, structure or colour. This reduces the need for unnecessary biopsies or mole removals, so you don’t have to have invasive procedures when you don’t need to. Remember, while AI plays a big part in the analysis, a specialist nurse or dermatologist is overseeing your care. Plus, mole mapping appointments often include an initial consultation where a specialist nurse or dermatologist will assess your individual risk factors and talk to you about your skin health in detail. This personalised approach allows us to tailor the monitoring schedule and any follow-up, giving you peace of mind and confidence in your skin care.
Please call to enquire about the price
Ways to payBefore the procedure
Before your mole mapping appointment, you should book an initial consultation, especially if you have a history of skin cancer or lots of moles. During this consultation, the dermatologist will assess your skin health and talk to you about any previous mole checks or skin concerns you may have. To prepare for the procedure, avoid cosmetics and tight clothing that may interfere with the imaging process. Providing a complete medical history, including previous skin cancers, sun exposure history, and family history of melanoma, helps the dermatologist to assess your risk and tailor the examination. While the procedure itself is non-invasive and painless, some patients may feel a bit uncomfortable when standing still for photographs or when the dermatologist is examining specific areas.
During the procedure
You will be asked to undress down to your underwear to allow for full-body imaging. The specialist nurse will use advanced cameras to take high-resolution photographs from multiple angles, creating a 360-degree digital map of your skin. This is a quick process and will take no more than 30 minutes. AI-assisted analysis will track individual moles by measuring their size, colour and shape and comparing these to previously stored images. This will pick up on any suspicious changes that need further investigation. After the imaging, the consultant dermatologist will examine the mole map and provide a full report of the findings. They will discuss any concerns, recommend a mole check if needed and advise on the timing of your next mole mapping session.
After the procedure
If any suspicious moles are found, you may be advised to have a mole check appointment for a closer examination. In some cases, this may lead to mole removal under local anaesthetic to ensure the mole is benign or to treat early-stage skin cancer. Mole removal is a quick and straightforward procedure done in the dermatologist’s office. It involves numbing the area with local anaesthetic, removing the mole and then closing the wound with stitches or a skin adhesive. Regular follow-up appointments will help monitor your skin health over time, allowing any new moles or changes to existing ones to be detected efficiently.
Appointment and Treatment Plan
Preparing for Your Scan
Your dermatologist begins with an initial consultation to review your skin history, past mole checks, sun exposure, and any personal or family history of skin cancer. To prepare, avoid cosmetics and tight clothing so imaging is clear. The process is painless, though you may feel slightly uncomfortable when standing still for photographs or during close inspection.
Full-Body Digital Imaging
You’ll undress to your underwear so the specialist nurse can capture high-resolution, multi-angle photographs to create a complete 360° digital map of your skin. AI-assisted technology analyses each mole, tracking size, colour, and shape, and compares them with previous images to identify even subtle changes. A consultant dermatologist then reviews the results, discusses any findings, and advises on next steps or follow-up intervals.
Monitoring & Follow-Up Care
If any moles appear suspicious, you may be advised to book a mole check for closer assessment. Some cases may require quick in-clinic mole removal under local anaesthetic for reassurance or early treatment. Ongoing follow-up appointments ensure your skin is monitored regularly, helping detect new moles or changes early and keeping your long-term skin health on track.
Experts
We are proud to provide patients with access to a wide range of clinicians, chosen specifically for their knowledge and reputation in their area of expertise. Our experts align with our values: putting you at the centre of your care and educating you on your options at each step of the journey. We encourage you to learn more about our clinicians and how they can help you below. As always, please contact our patient services team if you require any additional information.
We offer 3 ways to pay for your treatment
We exist to take the stress out of private healthcare.
Our payment options are designed to offer you easy access to our treatments and services. You can choose to pay on the day, spread the cost, or use your private medical insurance.
Our patient services team will guide you through the process, providing clear costs and support throughout your course of treatment so you can focus on the thing that matters most – your health.
Whether you pay in advance, spread the cost, or use your private medical insurance, rest assured you will be receiving exceptional care 365 days a year.
Pay in Advance
Even if you do not have medical insurance, you can still get quick and comprehensive access to private medical care.
We provide transparent pricing from your initial consultation to the completion of your treatment so you know where your stand, every step of the way.
We accept all major debit and credit cards, as well as Apple Pay for UK residents. Please note that we do not accept cash or cheques.
Spread the cost monthly
Paying for your treatment at OSD Healthcare can be spread monthly from 12 to 60 months, rather than paying in one go.
With an upfront 10% deposit paid, via our Financial partner Chrysalis Finance, we offer various flexible terms to enable you to spread the cost, including 12-months at 0% APR. Click here to find out more.
Monthly payments need to be linked to an OSD treatment over £385 and is subject to a 14-day ‘cooling-off’ period before any treatment can start.
Your on-going payments will be made directly between Chrysalis and yourself. It’s that simple.
Pay using PMI
We are recognised by all major health insurance companies and with our extensive range of services, there are lots of benefits to using your insurance with us. Our patient services team is here to answer any questions you may have about using your private health insurance with us.
Please bring along your policy details including your scheme details, membership or policy number, expiry date and confirmation of eligibility to claim (i.e. your authorisation number). If you do not have these details with you, we will require payment from you on the day. Patients are liable for any amounts not settled by their insurer.
FAQS
A mole mapping procedure is a comprehensive and systematic process of taking high-resolution images of your entire body to create a complete map of all your moles and pigmented lesions. This non-invasive procedure is performed by a specialist nurse or dermatologist using advanced imaging technology, with multiple cameras taking photographs from different angles to provide a full 360-degree view of your skin. The images are stored securely and compared to future mappings to monitor pigmented lesions for any subtle changes in size, shape or colour. This ongoing surveillance is essential for those with lots of moles, a personal or family history of skin cancer or who are considered at higher risk of malignant melanoma.
During the procedure, you will be asked to undress to your underwear to allow full access for imaging. The process is quick, painless and designed to be as comfortable as possible. After the imaging, the consultant dermatologist will review the mole map, assess any new or changing moles and advise on the next steps, which may include a mole check appointment or further investigation if suspicious lesions are found. This thorough approach, enhanced by AI technology, aids in the early detection of skin cancer, providing peace of mind and a way to monitor your skin health over time.
Mole mapping is a highly valuable tool for those at higher risk of skin cancer due to factors such as lots of moles, irregular or changing moles, personal or family history of skin cancer, pale skin that burns easily or significant sun exposure. The mole mapping service provides a reliable and efficient way to monitor pigmented lesions and detect early signs of melanoma or other skin cancers. By detecting new or changing moles early, mole mapping allows for prompt treatment, which can significantly improve outcomes and reduce the need for more invasive procedures. This proactive approach empowers individuals to take control of their skin health.
Many patients find that mole mapping gives them peace of mind, knowing their skin is being monitored with precision and expertise. The addition of AI technology enhances the accuracy of the assessment, and specialist doctors can detect even subtle changes that may not be visible to the naked eye. Mole mapping is a non-invasive procedure that complements regular skin checks. It’s an essential part of proactive skin health management. For those with a higher risk profile, regular mole mapping appointments are recommended to ensure continuous monitoring and timely intervention, ultimately supporting better skin cancer prevention and early detection strategies.