Including skin cancer FAQs

Skin Inspection has a clear fee structure, which incorporates our “no surprises” policy when it comes to billing and includes a money-back guarantee if you feel our results are not satisfactory.

All our examinations are carried out by Consultant Dermatologists who specialise in early skin cancer diagnosis. It is part of the outstanding service we pride ourselves on delivering at Skin Inspection.

Please visit our fees page for a breakdown of our fees.

Yes, we not only offer clarity and peace of mind in the results we deliver. We also have a clear fee structure, which incorporates our “no surprises” policy when it comes to billing. As if it was not enough we include a money-back guarantee if you feel our results are not satisfactory. Mutual trust is an important aspect of the patient-physician relationship and we know that our patients are good people who use this guarantee responsibly.

All our Skin Inspections include the Consultant Dermatologist fee.

• • Full skin examination using dermoscopy. It is our ultimate service that gives you peace of mind. This is what we call Mole Check: £250
  • Total Body mole-mapping + Consultation with a Consultant Dermatologist: £390

Furthermore total body mapping is particularly indicated for higher risk patients with many moles.

Therefore we are able to reassure many patients without having to deploy our more sophisticated resources. Skin Inspection is equipped with the most advanced technology only in case our patients benefit from it or if patients are coming for a second opinion. Our consultant dermatologists asses your skin, so you can decide what service you finally choose.

The incidence of skin cancer is increasing, and the majority of cases can be cured if detected early. Mole checks allow early diagnosis of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

The ABCDE rule covers changes that might indicate a melanoma. This can help you to self-examine.

Asymmetry – one half of the mole doesn’t match the other;

Border – the edges may be irregular;

Colour – uneven colour;

Diameter – most melanomas are at least 6mm in diameter;

Evolving – when a mole starts to change. Any change – in size, shape, colour, elevation, or any new symptom such as bleeding, itching or crusting – can be suspicious.

The poorest prognosis is most often that of nodular melanoma, which can escape the ABCDE rule by being symmetrical, with regular borders and homogeneous colour, and often being only about 6mm in size. That is why we recommend combining self-examination with dermatologist visits for melanoma prevention and early detection.

Oftentimes patients come to Skin Inspection for a second opinion, so they can make better informed decisions about their health. We believe that this is a sensible approach as other clinics do not have the cutting-edge technology that we offer or the high degree of specialisation of our Consultant Dermatologists. This is also important for patients referred by their GP and it is particularly critical for patients previously seen by non-medical practitioners. Skin Inspection is increasingly becoming the clinic where GPs come to have their own moles checked for a reason!

Our guarantee

A consultant dermatologist with special interest in skin cancer inspection will personally perform the examinations. This differentiates us from many private clinics that offer mole checks run by non-dermatologists.

We also have a clear fee structure, which incorporates our “no surprises” policy when it comes to billing and includes a money-back guarantee if you feel our results are not satisfactory. We believe that we are the only clinic in the area offering such a guarantee.

The most innovative equipment

We are one of the very few clinics in the UK offering total body mapping. We have the most innovative equipment that allows us to analyse skin lesions quickly, painlessly and may help to catch suspicious lesions that would otherwise go undetected. Our ultimate goal is to perform an invasive procedure only when necessary.

Read more about total body mapping.

Second opinions

Referrals from other doctors or patients coming because of word of mouth make us particularly happy. Oftentimes patients come to Skin Inspection for a second opinion, so they can make better informed decisions. We believe that this is a sensible approach. Other times patients come to us directly because having the total body mapping done at Skin Inspection gives them extra peace of mind. Patients know that we can save them valuable time and money.

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not totally convinced?

We fully understand that choosing a doctor is a very important decision. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further question or check our testimonials section to see what other patients say about us.

Dermoscopy is a non-invasive, in-vivo technique primarily used for the examination of skin lesions. A hand-held instrument called a dermatoscope, consisting of a light source and magnifying optics, enables the visualisation of sub-surface skin structures that are usually not visible to the naked eye. Dermoscopy allows early skin cancer recognition and decreases the frequency of biopsy for benign lesions.

Mole mapping is a procedure during which a patient’s moles (naevi) are indexed or ‘mapped’. Intended to diagnose melanoma at the earliest possible moment.

Read more about Mole Mapping

It consists of a medical consultation and a skin examination. During the consultation, we will ask you a few questions about your levels of sun exposure, sunbed use and your personal and family history of skin cancer. Then you will get a thorough dermoscopy examination of every mole, from head to toe. We will take dermoscopic images of any concerning skin lesion.

We combine the use of total-body photography and digital dermoscopy.

First, we take pictures of the whole skin surface from head to toe. The result is saved into a database, as a baseline for future surveillance. Then the patient will get a thorough dermoscopy examination of every mole, from head to toe. We will take digital dermoscopic images of some moles.

The patients are scheduled for a follow-up examination in three, six or 12 months to reassess the current moles with that of the stored images. At each follow-up visit, the consultant dermatologist compares the sequential dermoscopic images and examines the lesions for potential changes over time. If there are substantial changes, it can indicate skin cancer and excision would be recommended. There are early skin cancers that can be recognised only by observing their dynamic evolution over time.

Yes, dermoscopy is painless and perfectly safe for children and pregnant women.

We accept major health insurers. Please note that health insurance policies do not usually cover our dynamic and complex skin inspections.

You will usually need to make an appointment with one of our doctors, although we may be able to see you on the same day. If you need to see us urgently, please contact us and we will endeavour to fit you in as soon as possible.

Appointments cancelled or rescheduled within 24 hours before the appointment time have a charge of 20% of the booked service fee.

Our billing department is ready to help you. Please contact our Office Team.

The answer is yes for the majority of cases and as long as the theatre is available. Please give our Secretaries as much notice as possible so they can book the theatre. We understand how important our patient’s time is and we want to provide quick solutions. Many patients come to London for the day for a business trip.