Mole Mapping

Mole mapping combines a full body photographic record of your skin with high-resolution dermoscopy of individual moles. Each mole is catalogued so that any change over time can be identified early. It is particularly valuable for people with many moles, fair skin or a family history of skin cancer.

The IntelliStudio is a professional total body imaging system made by Canfield Scientific, a leading name in dermatological imaging. It uses a high-resolution camera with studio-grade lighting to photograph the whole body quickly and consistently, and aligns each follow-up scan to your baseline so that changes are easy to spot. It is the same class of technology used in specialist skin cancer clinics.

Yes. The Canfield IntelliStudio includes AI-assisted analysis that helps highlight moles which are new or have changed between scans, and can flag lesions that may warrant a closer look. It is a decision-support tool that works alongside our specialist clinical team: it helps direct attention, but every assessment and recommendation is made by a clinician, not by the software.

No. Mole mapping is photography, so there is no radiation and nothing invasive involved. The full body imaging is completely contactless, and during dermoscopy a small handheld lens rests lightly against the skin. The whole appointment is painless.

Mole mapping is most useful for people at higher risk of skin cancer: those with many moles, atypical or irregular moles, fair skin that burns easily, a lot of past sun exposure, or a personal or family history of melanoma. That said, anyone who would value a professional record of their skin and the reassurance of monitoring is welcome to have it done.

You will undress to your underwear in a private room, and the IntelliStudio captures a series of standardised full body photographs in a few minutes. Moles of interest are then examined more closely with dermoscopy. Finally your images are reviewed with our specialist clinical team, who discuss the findings with you. Allow around 30 to 45 minutes in total.

For most people the result is reassurance, along with a baseline record of their skin. Sometimes a mole is borderline and best watched, in which case a repeat scan is arranged to check it is stable. Occasionally a lesion looks suspicious and removal with laboratory analysis is recommended. Whatever the outcome, your clinician will explain it clearly and talk you through any next steps.

No. Mole mapping is an imaging and monitoring service, not a treatment. If a mole or lesion is found that would benefit from removal, this is carried out as a separate minor procedure under local anaesthetic, with the tissue sent for laboratory analysis to confirm the diagnosis.

This depends on your individual risk and on what the first scan shows. Your clinician will advise a suitable interval, which for higher-risk patients is often around once a year, or sooner if a particular mole is being monitored. The value of mole mapping grows over time, as each new scan can be compared against your baseline.

Mole mapping supports early detection by making changes in your moles easier to see and by giving your clinician a magnified, detailed view of each lesion. It is one of the most effective ways to monitor skin over time. It does not replace acting promptly on your own: if you notice a mole that is new, changing, itching or bleeding, seek advice straight away rather than waiting for your next scan.

Between visits it helps to check your own skin using the ABCDE guide: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Colour variation, Diameter larger than about 6mm, and Evolving or changing over time. Any mole showing these features, or one that itches, bleeds or simply looks different from the rest, should be assessed promptly.

Pricing depends on the assessment agreed for you and is confirmed in writing at your consultation, with no obligation to proceed.