SkinMap - Advanced Skin Check System

About Skin Checks

The best outcome for any type of skin cancer is early detection. The early stages of most skin cancers is when they are confined to the surface of the skin and most treatable. While you can’t undo your current skin damage, you can regularly have your skin checked to ensure that any skin cancer you may have is removed before it is invasive and spreads.

Molescreen PDT does more than just glance over your skin. Every inch of your body will be thoroughly checked for any sunspots, moles or lesions. Melanomas may occur anywhere from soles of feet to in between your toes or hidden beneath the hair on your scalp so it is important to look. We use a digital system for examination system that magnifies the skin for easy and accurate diagnosis.

Total Body Photography – SkinMap

Since 2008 we have provided a service that we call SkinMap, a system of photographing your whole body. Total Body Photography is now included in the Practice Guidelines for the Management of Melanoma in Australia and New Zealand.

Photography is performed discretely in a small dedicated studio. Pictures are taken of specific moles, which can then be tracked and monitored over time. The images serve as a baseline for your future visits and are able to be magnified, ensuring that even the slightest change in your moles will be detected early.

Copies of your images are provided to you on a USB stick for your own use. You are encouraged to refer to these images when doing skin checks at home between visits.

Who Needs SkinMap?

Anyone who cares about their health, but in particular you should have one if you have a high risk of melanoma which includes one or more of the following:

• Lots of moles
• Dysplastic naevi (moles that are over 6mm in diametre with an irregular ill-defined border and several shades of colour)
• Previous melanoma or abnormal moles
• Family history of melanoma
• Fair skin / red hair / blue eyes
• Chemotherapy or radiation
• Drugs that may have suppressed your immune system such as those used for some skin conditions, rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease
• Previous history of cancer
• Previous ultra violet light skin treatments for acne
• Solarium use

Preparing for your SkinMap Session

Please allow at least 45 minutes for your session and remember the following:

• Please do not wear any make-up, deodorant, artificial tanning lotions, talcum powder or nail polish. This will help ensure that your skin is analysed without anything altering its appearance.
• If you normally remove body hair by shaving, waxing, etc it would be ideal to do this prior to your SkinMap session.
• You will be asked to remove jewellery.
• If you have medium to long length hair, please tie it back so that the neck and shoulder areas are not obscured.

When it comes to successful treatment of skin cancer, early diagnosis is key. If you haven’t had a skin check within the last year, are looking for something thorough, or have noticed any new moles or concerning spots, book an appointment for a full body skin check.