Peace of mind about your moles
Most moles are harmless, but it is natural to worry when one looks new or different, or when you have too many to keep track of. At Derma you are always seen by a consultant dermatologist: a doctor who has spent years training in skin disease, including skin cancer.
We offer two ways to have your moles looked at. A mole check is a consultation with a consultant dermatologist, who examines your moles in person. Mole mapping adds detailed photographs of your whole skin, so that new or changing moles can be picked up over time. With both, you meet a consultant dermatologist who examines your skin in person. The guide below explains the difference and which is likely to suit you.
Seeing a consultant at Derma
- Self-paying and insured patients are welcome.
- We see adults and children. Under-16s should come with a parent or guardian.
- A chaperone is always available, or you can bring someone with you.
- You can book online, call us or email us.
- After your appointment, we write to you and, if you wish, your GP.
Mole check or mole mapping?
With both, a consultant dermatologist examines your skin in person and talks you through what they find. Mole mapping also gives you a detailed photographic record of your whole skin, so that next time any new or changing mole stands out.
Mole checkSee a consultant dermatologist in person
- Your consultant examines the moles that concern you with a dermatoscope (a magnifying skin light), and can look over the rest of your skin
- You talk it through face to face, and afterwards your consultant sends you a letter covering everything you discussed
- If a mole needs to be removed or tested, we can arrange it here, or you can take the letter to your GP for treatment on the NHS or elsewhere if you prefer
- Around 20 minutes
- £330 consultation
Mole mappingA consultation plus photographs of your whole skin
- Our specialist dermatology nurse takes high-resolution images of your whole skin with the FotoFinder ATBM system
- A consultant dermatologist then comes in to look at the images with you, examine your skin in person and pick out any moles that need close-up dermoscopic images
- You receive a written report with all your images, including the dermoscopic close-ups, and recommendations for any moles that need treating or removing. You can take it to your GP for treatment on the NHS, or elsewhere if you prefer
- Repeat mapping, usually once a year, compares the new images with the old, so new or changing moles stand out
- Up to 40 minutes, with no separate consultation fee
- £375 including the report, or £270 after a consultation with the same dermatologist
Which is right for me?
One mole is worrying you
It is new, has changed in size, shape or colour, or looks different from your other moles. Choose a mole check, so a consultant can examine it in person.
You have lots of moles
Too many to keep an eye on yourself, especially on your back. You still see a consultant in person. Choose mole mapping, so any changes can be picked up next time.
Skin cancer in you or your family
You have had melanoma or another skin cancer, or a close relative has had melanoma. Mole mapping gives you a detailed record to compare against each year.
Fair skin or a lot of sun
Skin that burns easily, sunburn as a child, sunbeds or working outdoors. Mole mapping gives you a starting point, and a mole check if one mole stands out.
You want a yearly check-up
No particular worries, but you would like your moles checked regularly. Mole mapping lets your consultant compare your skin from one year to the next.
Not sure?
Start with a mole check. If your consultant thinks mapping would help, it costs £270 instead of £375 with the same dermatologist.
About moles · More about mole mapping · Why check your moles?
Why see a consultant dermatologist about your moles?
Many "mole check" services are run by GPs with an interest in skin, nurses, or apps that send photos to a doctor you never meet. At Derma your moles are always assessed by a consultant dermatologist, a specialist in skin disease and skin cancer on the GMC's Specialist Register.
Consultant dermatologist
- Qualified doctor with at least 8 further years of hospital training
- At least 4 years of specialist training in dermatology, including skin cancer, dermoscopy and skin surgery
- On the GMC Specialist Register for dermatology
- Examines moles every working day, so knows what is normal and what needs a closer look
- Can remove a mole and arrange laboratory testing here, without a separate referral
- Many of our consultants also lead NHS hospital dermatology services
"Mole check" or mappingGP with an interest in skin, nurse, or photos sent away
- GPs train in every area of medicine; an interest in skin usually means a diploma or extra course
- Not on the Specialist Register for dermatology
- Many mole mapping services take the photos and send them away to a doctor you never meet
- A mole that needs a closer look often means a second referral, and a second wait
The road to becoming a consultant dermatologist
- 5–6yearsMedical schoolQualify as a doctor
- 2yearsFoundation trainingHospital medicine and surgery
- 2–3yearsInternal medicinePass the MRCP(UK) exams
- 4+yearsDermatology trainingSkin disease, skin surgery and skin cancer. Many also complete a research degree or further specialist training
- CCTConsultantJoins the GMC Specialist Register
That's at least 13 years from starting medical school.
Look for the tick
The British Association of Dermatologists' tick shows that a doctor is a consultant dermatologist on the GMC Specialist Register. Every consultant dermatologist at Derma has one: you'll find it on each consultant's profile, linked to their GMC entry. You can also check any doctor yourself on the GMC medical register.
What happens
- BookBook online or call us, and choose a mole check or mole mapping. You don't need a referral.
- Your appointmentFor a mole check, your consultant examines your skin and explains what they find. For mole mapping, our nurse takes the images, then your consultant looks at them with you, examines your skin and picks out any moles that need dermoscopic close-ups.
- Your resultsAfter a mole check, your consultant sends you a letter covering everything you discussed. After mole mapping, you also receive a written report with your images and recommendations.
Your consultant dermatologists
Dr Charles Archer
Consultant Dermatologist
General dermatologySkin surgery
Special interests in skin cancer, lasers and complex medical dermatology.
Dr Chris Phillips
Consultant Dermatologist
General dermatologySkin surgery
Special interests in skin lesions, skin cancer surgery and male genital dermatology.
Dr Sanju Arianayagam
Consultant Dermatologist
General dermatologySkin surgery
Leads the specialist photosensitivity clinic in Oxford.
Dr Rima Clayton
Consultant Dermatologist
General dermatologyPaediatric dermatologySkin surgery
Founder of Derma Reading, seeing adults and children, with a particular interest in skin cancer and skin surgery.
Dr Rachel Fisher
Consultant Dermatologist
General dermatologySkin surgery
Specialist interests in skin cancer and vulval dermatology, and clinical lead for dermatology in Reading and West Berkshire.
Dr Sabrina Khan
Consultant Dermatologist
General dermatologySkin surgery
Specialist interest in vulval dermatology, and lead for the Oxford NHS vulval service.
Dr Inge Kreuser-Genis
Consultant Dermatologist
General dermatologyPaediatric dermatologySkin surgery
Specialist interests in paediatric and vulval dermatology.
Dr Antonia Lloyd-Lavery
Consultant Dermatologist
General dermatology
Specialist interests in severe eczema and psoriasis, autoimmune blistering diseases and connective tissue diseases.
Professor Rubeta Matin
Consultant Dermatologist
General dermatology
Specialist interests in skin cancer and moles, skin disease in transplant and immunosuppressed patients, and cutaneous lymphoma.
Dr John Reed
Consultant Dermatologist
General dermatologySkin surgery
Specialist interest in urticaria, angioedema and allergy.
Dr Isabelle Vandormael
Consultant Dermatologist
General dermatologySkin surgery
Particular interest in lasers and cosmetic dermatology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book a mole check or mole mapping directly, online or by phone, without a referral from your GP.
What is the difference between a mole check and mole mapping?
With both, a consultant dermatologist examines your skin in person and talks to you about your moles. Mole mapping also takes detailed photographs of your whole skin, which your consultant reviews with you. You receive a written report, and the images can be compared with future maps to spot new or changing moles.
How much does it cost?
A mole check consultation is £330, and a follow-up is £270. Mole mapping is £375, including the consultant’s review and written report, with no separate consultation fee. If you have mapping after a consultation with the same dermatologist, it is £270. If a mole needs to be removed or tested, your consultant will explain the cost before anything goes ahead. See our price list.
Why see a consultant dermatologist rather than a GP?
A consultant dermatologist has completed full specialist training in skin disease, usually at least 13 years from starting medical school, and is on the GMC Specialist Register for dermatology. Assessing moles and diagnosing skin cancer is a core part of their work every day. Some clinics use the word “dermatology” when patients are seen by a GP with an interest in skin, or by a non-medical practitioner. At Derma, your moles are always assessed by a consultant dermatologist.
Can I have treatment on the NHS afterwards?
Yes. After a mole check your consultant sends you a letter covering everything you discussed, and after mole mapping you receive a written report with all your images, including the dermoscopic close-ups, and recommendations. You can take either to your GP to ask for treatment on the NHS, have treatment privately at Derma, or go elsewhere if you prefer.
How long does each appointment take?
A mole check takes around 20 minutes. Mole mapping takes up to 40 minutes, because of the photographs and undressing, though your time with the consultant is usually shorter than in a consultation. You will always have the time you need to discuss your moles, but other skin problems may need a separate appointment.
Can I have both?
Yes. Many people start with a mole check and then have mole mapping to monitor their skin over time. With the same dermatologist, mapping after a consultation costs £270 instead of £375.
How often should I have mole mapping?
Your report will say when to come back. For most people this is once a year, and sometimes sooner if a mole needs watching. Each repeat map is compared with the last, which is when mapping is most useful.
What if a mole needs to be removed?
Your consultant will explain the options, what is involved and the cost. Most moles can be removed at Derma under local anaesthetic, and anything removed is sent to the laboratory to be checked. Read about preparing for your skin surgery.
Will my health insurance cover it?
Some insurers cover mole checks and mole mapping, particularly if you have had skin cancer before. Please check with your insurer and get an authorisation number before you book. Self-paying patients are very welcome.
Will I need to undress?
For mole mapping you will usually undress to your underwear so the camera can photograph your whole skin. For a mole check, your consultant will only ask you to undress as far as needed. A chaperone is always available, or you can bring someone with you.