Skin Cancer FAQs

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.

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.

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!

It is perfectly understandable that every case is different. The reality is that your skin is best assessed during the consultation, so you can decide what service you finally choose. We have cases in which patients select a higher level of inspection that the one they really need, this is not a problem because we can adjust the consultation type accordingly. If you are uncertain you can book an appointment with the concept “Skin Inspection (I am uncertain about the level of Skin Inspection that I need)”

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.

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.

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.

Mole Check costs £250.

Normally a mole check is sufficient to reassure many patients without having to deploy our more sophisticated technology. We offer total body mapping (+£140) in case our patients benefit from it or if they are coming for a second opinion. Our consultant dermatologists asses your case individually, so you can decide what service you finally choose.

Yes! Some skin conditions can be treated virtually, whilst others require a face to face consultation. Please send a description of your condition with accompanying pictures to info@skininspection.co.uk, and one of our Team Members will inform you if a video consultation is right for you.

Acne can be initially treated virtually if good quality photos and a list of previous medications/treatments is sent to info@skininspection.co.uk. If you require strong medications because others have failed before, then you need to be seen face to face.

We would first book an initial consultation, which includes a thorough assessment of all your moles, including the basal cell carcinoma. We are the only clinic in the UK to have the latest generation technology that can visualise your skin in ways impossible to the naked eye. All of our consultant dermatologists are highly specialised in skin cancer recognition and treatment. The initial consultation is £250, where the doctor will be more able to determine the cost for the removal of the cyst. The removal of a malignant lesion on the head is priced at £400 plus theatre charges. More information on our fees can be found here: https://skininspection.co.uk/our-fees/.

At Skin Inspection we use the state-of-the-art theatre facilities of Skin55 located in the same building as our Harley Street clinic.

Please click on the link to see the theatre charges and fees set by Skin55.

You can book these procedures by selecting “General Dermatology” in our bookings page or by contacting our office team at 020 3575 1474 / secretaries@skininspection.co.uk.

We would first book an initial consultation (£250), which includes a thorough assessment of your lesion to determine the best course of action.

Biopsies start at £700 including theatre charges (£300), pathologist fee (£200) and consultant fees (£200).

At Skin Inspection we offer outstanding care with cutting-edge technology and highly specialised consultant dermatologists. You will be treated at the state-of-the-art theatre facilities of Skin55 located in the same building as our Harley Street clinic.

More information on our fees can be found here: https://skininspection.co.uk/our-fees/. Please click on the link to see the theatre charges and fees set by Skin55.

You can book these procedures by selecting “General Dermatology” in our bookings page or by contacting our office team at 020 3575 1474 / secretaries@skininspection.co.uk.

Our consultant dermatologist are highly skilled in treating skin conditions that affect the genital areas including genital warts, scrotal or vaginal itch, rash, and more. Email info@skininspection.co.uk with a description of your condition, and one of our Team Members will get back to you as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can book a consultation here. Please select whether you are a new or existing patient, and choose General Dermatology.

During your Mole Check Initial Consultation, you will receive a thorough assessment of your entire skin head-to-toe by one of our highly specialised consultant dermatologists. You can get all your questions answered, and any suspicious moles or lesions will be examined under the dermatoscope: a state-of-the-art hand-held device that visualises the mole better than the naked eye, all whilst being reliable and pain-free.

The images from the dermatoscope are then stored and compared with future consultations to ensure we catch any changes. More information on what you can expect during your mole check consultation can be found here.

Your dermatologist will advise you if he/she believes that a procedure is necessary, as our state-of-the-art technology may provide an immediate diagnosis without the need for a physical biopsy. However, if your dermatologist believes a procedure to be appropriate, we have a theatre on-site, and your doctor will personally excise the mole. Please feel free to book an appointment by clicking here.

An initial consultation which includes a total-body mole check is £250. All follow-up appointments are £190. We also accept all major insurers, and are happy to bill the insurance company on your behalf. For patients with a high number of moles and/or freckles who require (bi)annual mole checks, our clinic membership may be beneficial for you. More information on our continuous monitoring program can be found here.

Recent studies from the British Journal of Dermatology recommend total-body skin examinations for older patients of light skin tones. However, regardless of age, any new or changing moles should be inspected by a consultant dermatologist right away. In addition, any person with a high number of freckles and moles, regardless of age, should get an annual mole check.