With our new technology, Mole mapping and Full body skin scanning are very similar. It is a matter of different terminology. The body is photographed section by section. A visual check of moles will be done and moles that look atypical or abnormal are mapped and photographed by a powerful camera with a powerful dermascopic lens. These images can be compared with later images taken at regular intervals, to assess for any change.

Before the skin scan starts, you will given privacy to remove your clothing. You do not need to remove your underwear (please wear neutral or skin-tone coloured underwear without dots or lines).

You will be provided with a sheet to cover yourself on the scanning bed.

When you are ready, the doctor or dermoscopist will re-enter the room.

We will use a special camera to look into the upper layers of your skin, to assess if skin lesions or moles are normal, atypical (unusual), in the process of changing, or cancerous.

You will keep the sheet on during the scan. The doctor or dermoscopist will only expose areas of the skin as required for the scan.

Please let us know if you have any moles that you would liked checked on the breast or genital areas, as we do not normally check these areas.

The Full body photographic session takes around 20 minutes. The rest of the time will be spent capturing dermascopic images and providing advice.

If Dr Fourie recommends a mole or lesion should be removed, he will advise the next steps.

Yes, you are more than welcome to bring a support person to your appointment.

Generally most patients that come in for a spot check only show us the ‘good spots’, and we may miss analysing spots that do need attention.

For this reason we recommend a full body scan, so we can assess all moles.

Absolutely not! Skin scans are completely pain-free.

Full body skin scans and mole maps can take about 30-40 minutes, depending on the number of moles on your skin.

During your skin scan, we will talk to you about your moles and skin, and the character of your moles. We will then be able to advise when you should have your next scan – whether it’s yearly or sooner if you have any suspicious spots.

We can help. We will begin by assessing the suspicious mole, and removing the mole surgically if required.

Yes, we are happy to do full mapping or only a spot check.

Clothing that can be easily removed.To facilitate a thorough examination it is preferred that make up (especially foundation) and nail polish are not worn to the consultation.

After assessing your moles, we will advise if any need to be removed. All removals are carried out by Dr Fourie at the Skin Scan Clinic. The surgery would be done under local anaesthesia, with fine suturing to close the defect. If time allows, the mole removal may take place during your skin scan appointment.

You can request to go to your doctor for mole or skin lesion removal. In that case, Skin Scan Clinic would provide our assessment and recommendations to your doctor.

More complicated procedures will be referred to a plastic surgeon. You can request a preferred plastic surgeon or Dr Fourie can recommend a plastic surgeon to you.

If multiple moles need to be removed, a quote can be provided before surgery is done. The specimen will be sent to Pathlab for histological analysis and a report will be provided within 10-14 days.

Please remove makeup or any fake tan product, to ensure the accuracy of the scanning process. Please remove nail polish as your toes and fingers will also be examined. We recommend not exercising immediately before your appointment, as sweaty skin can complicate the scanning process. If you work in a dusty environment, we recommend you shower to remove the dust. Children under 10 years of age are not allowed while having a skin Scan.