360° Mole Mapping

We're proud to offer the most advanced form of 360° mole mapping available in the UK. The VECTRA WB360 whole body 3D imaging system captures the entire skin surface in macro-quality resolution with a single capture.

Dermatologist Mole Check - OneWelbeck

bookings.skinhealthallergy@onewelbeck.com

02036532007

What is 360º mole mapping?

Our advanced mole mapping machine allows a full 360º degree view of your skin. This will document all your moles in great detail, and the images will be stored for mole monitoring purposes.

The fully integrated software allows us to map and monitor pigmented lesions and distributed diseases of the skin. Individual moles can also be examined in greater detail using a microscopic light called a dermatoscope.

All the images are examined by a dermatology consultant and stored securely. The mole mapping machine then uses artificial intelligence to flag up any changes to moles when mapping is repeated at a later date. Mole mapping will also identify any new moles that have appeared since the previous mapping images were taken.

At Welbeck, we're proud to offer this advanced diagnostic technology in our innovative Skin Health & Allergy clinic, led by leading dermatologists.

Paediatrics

We offer appointments to paediatric patients aged 0+. For full information on our paediatrics service, please visit our main Paediatrics page.

Why might I need a mole mapping appointment?

Mole mapping is available to all patients. However, mole mapping might be especially appropriate for you if:

  • you have a large number of moles
  • you have moles that are changing in shape and size, or moles that look abnormal
  • you've had abnormal moles removed in the past, or have a family history of problems with moles or skin cancer
  • you've lived in sunny countries in the past, and have skin that's sensitive to the sun
  • you work outside, or enjoy regular outdoor recreational activities, leaving you vulnerable to skin damage from the sun
  • you've been sunburnt many times in the past

You may simply want peace of mind that your whole skin will be checked and all your moles mapped and evaluated, or you may also have been referred for mole mapping by your GP or dermatologist.


What does a mole mapping appointment involve?

Typically, you'll see the dermatology consultant before having mole mapping, and they'll take a skin cancer/sun damage history to assess your risk. This involves looking at:

  • your skin type
  • if you've lived in sunny countries
  • if you've had abnormal moles in the past
  • your family history of skin cancer
  • any medications you may be taking
  • your degree of UV exposure associated with work and leisure

They'll then examine your skin in the clinic room and identify any moles that require dermatoscopy images to be taken at the time of the mole mapping.

You'll then move to the mole mapping room and be asked to undress down to your underwear (bottoms only). You'll then stand in the mapping machine, and images of your skin will be taken.

A 360º map of your entire skin's surface is captured in just a few seconds by the multiple cameras, generating a 3D avatar of your entire body and skin surface.

You'll then get dressed and will be given a USB with your images saved, as well as a topline report of findings.

You'll receive a full consultant report within 2 weeks via email, which will also contain advice on when you should next come in for mole mapping and whether you need any follow-up treatment.

What are the risks of mole mapping?

Mole mapping is incredibly quick and safe. It doesn't cause any pain, and there's no radiation exposure with taking the images.

How to prepare for mole mapping

There's no preparation needed ahead of a mole mapping appointment, and the capturing of images takes just a few seconds once you're in the machine.  

During your consultation, your dermatologist will talk you through what will happen during the imaging and how you'll receive your results. 

What happens after mole mapping?

If a suspicious mole is found, a Welbeck dermatology consultant will inform you and arrange to discuss the best next steps.

This may mean a further mole map in 3 to 6 months, or it may mean the mole needs to be excised (cut out under local anaesthetic). If a mole needs to be removed, it will be sent for analysis (histology) to look at the pattern of cells in the mole to determine if it was harmless, dysplastic, atypical, or malignant (cancerous).

If you choose to have further investigations at Welbeck, which could include biopsies, excisions of lesions, or skin surgery, we'll work with you to be completely transparent with our competitive pricing and to help you understand the costs.

If you have private health insurance, we're covered by all major private insurers in the UK, who will typically offer cover from the point at which abnormalities are found and further treatment is recommended.

If no abnormalities are found, we'll arrange for you to return for another mole mapping appointment, usually 12 months later. The images taken at further appointments are compared to those previously captured to identify and monitor any skin changes over time.

How much does mole mapping cost?

Mole mapping is available from £315, which includes the facility fee and up to 5 complimentary dermoscopy images.

As all patients require a consultant assessment, fees for this will be invoiced separately and range from £250 to £400, depending on the consultant you see.

If you'd like to book a stand-alone consultation to assess a mole you're worried about, without the full mole mapping service, these can be booked for £250-£400, depending on the consultant seen.

Why choose Welbeck for mole mapping?

At Welbeck, our dermatologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Book a mole mapping appointment

To book a mole mapping appointment, contact our Skin Health & Allergy centre today.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

If you have private health insurance and require treatment at Welbeck, this can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

FAQs

What are the benefits of having regular mole mapping appointments?

The benefits of regular mole mapping are that any abnormal moles will be picked up quickly and that any subtle changes in your moles can be detected by the machine. In addition, your images will be examined by a dermatology consultant. The earlier that abnormal moles and skin cancers are detected, the quicker they can be removed, and this will mean a higher cure rate.

How often should I have my moles re-mapped or retested?

The frequency depends on your risk factors, such as family history, number of moles, and skin changes. Many patients are offered annual mapping, but your dermatologist will recommend an interval tailored to your skin profile and any changes observed.

Is mole mapping painful or uncomfortable?

No. Mole mapping involves taking high-resolution images of your skin under special lighting, which is non-invasive and painless. 

Can mole mapping detect every skin cancer?

While mole mapping greatly improves early detection by comparing changes over time, it isn’t perfect. Some lesions may develop rapidly between mapping sessions, so any new or changing spot, including those outside the mapped moles, should be evaluated immediately.

Overview

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Self-Pay Available

This treatment is available for self-paying users. If you would like to see more information on pricing visit our pricing and payments page.

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Self Referral

No doctor referral needed in order to book this service, although health insurers may require a referral in order for your treatment to be covered.

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Paediatric Patients Aged 0+ Seen

This service is also available to paediatric patients aged 0+

Mole mapping specialists

Our consultants, who are all either heads of service at London teaching hospitals, or have played major roles in clinical innovation, employ their collective expertise, knowledge and deep experience to deliver the best care possible.