Concierge dermatology · London
Mole mapping, total-body photography plus digital dermoscopy for high-risk mole surveillance.
Mole mapping combines total-body photography (typically FotoFinder / MoleMax) with digital dermoscopy of high-risk lesions. Serial imaging over time detects new or changing moles — the modern standard for people at high melanoma risk.
Why patients choose us
- 01
The right hands
We route you to a consultant dermatologist — with mole mapping expertise, who images you and who reports it decides the answer.
- 02
Serial imaging that catches change
Total-body photography plus digital dermoscopy — the modern standard for high-risk melanoma surveillance.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Key facts
Mole mapping at a glance.
The essentials — what mole mapping is, which systems are used, and who benefits.
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Definition
Total-body photography plus digital dermoscopy of high-risk lesions.
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Systems used
FotoFinder, MoleMax or VECTRA total-body imaging platforms.
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Why serial imaging
Detects new lesions and change in existing moles — the pattern melanoma follows.
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Who it is for
High melanoma risk — family history, dysplastic-naevus syndrome, prior melanoma.
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Interval
Annual, or 6-monthly for the highest-risk patients.
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Reporting
Consultant dermatologist with dermoscopy expertise.
The problem
Early melanoma is a change story, not a single-image story.
A single skin check catches obvious lesions. Serial imaging catches new and changing moles — the pattern early melanoma follows. We route you to a consultant dermatologist with dermoscopy expertise, not a generalist.
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Family history of melanoma?
We build the baseline image set and set the surveillance interval to your risk.
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Dysplastic-naevus syndrome?
AI-assisted change detection over years is the standard of care.
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Prior melanoma?
Serial imaging picks up second primary melanomas — a real, avoidable risk.
Diagnosis steps
From consultation to surveillance plan — what happens, in order.
One consultant from first message to report — usually within a week.
Phase 1 · Before your appointment
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
~30–45 minutes at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
Consultation and consent
A short, confidential form. Personal and family melanoma history, prior lesions, skin type, sun-exposure history.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: whether mole mapping is the right test, which clinic, indicative price. If a single-lesion mole check is a better first step, we say so.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Often same or next week, including evenings and Saturdays. Insurer pre-authorisation handled.
- 04
On the day
Undress to underwear
You undress to underwear in a private, chaperoned room — that is the whole preparation.
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On the day
Total-body photography and digital dermoscopy
30–45 minutes. Total-body photography (FotoFinder, MoleMax or VECTRA) followed by digital dermoscopy of high-risk moles. AI-assisted change detection compares against prior images.
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On the day
Straight home
No recovery time. Drive, eat and work as normal.
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After
Consultant report and surveillance plan
A written consultant dermatologist report usually within a week, with a structured surveillance interval and onward pathway if any lesion needs excision.
Typical end-to-end: 1–2 weeks. Urgent cases: same week.
What it shows
When mole mapping is the right test.
Mole mapping answers a specific question — is anything on your skin new or changing since baseline. These are the situations we see most.
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New lesion detection
Serial imaging flags moles that were not there at baseline.
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Change in existing lesion
Shape, colour or size change picked up against the prior image set.
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Atypical (dysplastic) naevus
Characterises borderline lesions that need closer monitoring.
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Early melanoma
The earliest melanomas are found by change detection, not by a single look.
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Baseline for future comparison
One high-quality image set becomes the reference for every future visit.
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High-risk-group serial monitoring
Structured surveillance for family-history and dysplastic-naevus patients.
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Post-melanoma follow-up
Detects second primary melanomas — a real risk after a first diagnosis.
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Red flag: EFG lesion — evolving, firm, growing — urgent excision
An EFG lesion is not for surveillance. Same-week excision is the answer.
Treatment options
What follows a mole-mapping visit.
Every finding maps to a concrete next step — reassurance, excision, adjusted interval or onward MDT.
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Reassurance for stable pattern
When the image set is unchanged, the answer is a structured surveillance interval — not intervention.
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Excision of new or changing lesion
Any new or changed lesion that meets dermoscopic criteria is excised for histology.
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Photographic surveillance interval
Annual for most, 6-monthly for the highest-risk patients — the interval is set to your risk.
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Sun-protection advice
Personalised UV-protection advice for your skin type and exposure pattern.
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Vitamin D discussion
Practical guidance on maintaining vitamin D while minimising melanoma risk.
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Family cascade screening
For dysplastic-naevus syndrome or a strong family history, first-degree relatives are offered screening.
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Melanoma MDT for confirmed cancer
If histology confirms melanoma, referral into a specialist skin-cancer MDT with staging and wide local excision.
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Structured dermatology follow-up
A named consultant, a named interval, and a written plan — not ad-hoc appointments.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of clinics, we picked them.
Partners across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinic in our network.
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Consultant dermatologists with total-body photography and dermoscopy expertise
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FotoFinder, MoleMax or VECTRA total-body imaging platforms
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AI-assisted change detection against prior image sets
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Onward skin-cancer MDT pathway if excision confirms melanoma
Red flags and safety
Non-invasive — but the red flags matter.
Mole mapping is safe and painless. The practical points are which lesions bypass surveillance and go straight to excision, and where photography does not go.
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Non-invasive, radiation-free
Photography and dermoscopy — no needles, no radiation, no dye.
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Chaperoned, private room
Every session is chaperoned. You undress only to underwear.
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A new pigmented lesion in an adult is a red flag
Any new mole after age 40 deserves a dermatology opinion, not a photograph alone.
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Rapidly changing mole — do not wait
A visibly changing lesion needs a same-week dermatology appointment, not the next surveillance slot.
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EFG lesion — evolving, firm, growing
EFG lesions bypass surveillance. Direct-to-excision is the answer.
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Nail-bed and mucosal melanoma
Melanoma can arise under a nail or on a mucous membrane. These are checked at every visit.
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Amelanotic melanoma
A minority of melanomas have little or no pigment — dermoscopy remains essential.
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Immunosuppressed and post-transplant
Skin-cancer risk is materially raised. Surveillance intervals are shortened accordingly.
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Photographs do not replace an examination
Mole mapping supports — it does not replace — a hands-on consultant skin examination.
Reading your report
A mole-mapping report can look intimidating. It isn’t.
Whatever the finding, the report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The report is written for your doctor, not for you — and that’s normal.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and risk factors
Your details, personal and family melanoma history, skin type, and the reason for surveillance.
- 02 Technique
Imaging platform and dermoscopy
Which total-body system (FotoFinder / MoleMax / VECTRA), which lesions had digital dermoscopy, and how AI-assisted change detection was applied.
- 03 Findings
New, changed and stable lesions
Lesion-by-lesion description: new moles, changed moles, atypical dermoscopic features and stable comparators.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
Stable pattern, surveillance interval, and any lesion recommended for excision — read this first.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about mole mapping.
Quick answers on who benefits, how it differs from a mole check, how often to repeat, referrals, pregnancy and safety.
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What does mole mapping show?
Mole mapping combines total-body photography with digital dermoscopy of high-risk lesions. Serial images over time detect new moles and change in existing ones — the pattern early melanoma follows.
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What is the difference between a mole check and mole mapping?
A mole check is a consultant examination of one or a few lesions of concern. Mole mapping is total-body photography plus digital dermoscopy, designed for serial surveillance of high-risk patients over years.
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Who should have mole mapping?
Anyone at high melanoma risk — a personal or strong family history of melanoma, dysplastic-naevus syndrome, many atypical moles, prior melanoma, or long-term immunosuppression. We will say up front if a single mole check is a better first step.
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How often should mole mapping be repeated?
Annual for most high-risk patients; 6-monthly for the highest-risk groups (post-melanoma, dysplastic-naevus syndrome, transplant patients). The interval is a consultant decision, not a fixed rule.
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Do I need a referral?
Most clinics accept self-referral for mole mapping. We can arrange a fast-track private GP if a formal referral is needed for insurance or onward pathway.
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Is mole mapping safe in pregnancy?
Entirely safe — photography and dermoscopy use light, not radiation, and are appropriate at any stage of pregnancy.
Sources
What this guide is based on.
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British Association of Dermatologists. Skin cancer and mole surveillance guidance.
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European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). Cutaneous melanoma clinical practice guidelines.
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NICE. Melanoma: assessment and management (NG14).
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International Dermoscopy Society. Consensus recommendations on dermoscopy.
Last reviewed 2026-07-30. Next review 2027-07-30. Reviewed by Pulse Atlas Editorial Board, .
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In practice, in London
Why private mole mapping moves differently in London
With mole mapping, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. On the NHS, mole mapping typically sits behind a triage step and a wait that can stretch from a few weeks into months. In London’s private sector, the same appointment often lands within days. That speed matters when symptoms are disrupting work, sleep, or a plan you’d already committed to — and it’s the single most common reason people call us in the first place.
The mechanics are straightforward: a consultant appointment, any tests done at a nearby CQC-registered site, and a written report back within a few days. London’s density of private diagnostics — Marylebone, the City, Chelsea, Canary Wharf — means most patients can find something that fits around work without a cross-town trek. For mole mapping specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.
The value of going through a concierge for mole mapping isn’t access — anyone with an insurer or a credit card can get a private appointment in London. The value is knowing which consultant reads this particular presentation best, which unit turns reports around fastest, and which pathway won’t hit a dead end if the findings point somewhere unexpected.