Mole Mapping & Digital Skin Imaging in London, Ontario
What is mole mapping?
Mole mapping is the process of photographing and documenting the moles on your body in a standardized way so they can be compared over time. The images form a baseline record. At each follow up the same areas are captured in the same position, lighting, and colour reference, so a mole that has grown, darkened, or changed shape is identified by comparison rather than by memory.
Mole mapping is also called total body photography or skin surveillance photography. The purpose is monitoring change, which is the single most reliable early warning sign in skin cancer detection.
What it involves at our London clinic:
- A consultation and chart review with your nurse practitioner
- Standardized capture of your moles in a fixed, repeatable setup
- A secure digital baseline stored for future comparison
- Side by side comparison at every follow up visit
- A review of findings and clear next steps, in plain language
Who should consider mole mapping in London, Ontario?
Mole mapping helps almost anyone who wants to keep a closer eye on their skin. It is especially worth booking if you:
- Have a personal or family history of melanoma or other skin cancer
- Have been told you have a dysplastic nevus, also called an atypical mole, and need it monitored
- Have atypical mole syndrome or a high total mole count
- Have a lot of moles (many people use 50 or more as a rough guide)
- Have moles that are irregular, atypical, or hard to keep track of
- Have fair skin, light eyes, or tend to burn rather than tan
- Have had a lot of sun over the years, or have used tanning beds
- Have had a skin cancer or a suspicious mole removed before
- Take medication that suppresses your immune system
If one of these applies, imaging is still useful even if nothing looks alarming today.
A baseline recorded now is what makes a change detectable a year from now.
Know the warning signs: the ABCDEs of melanoma
The most common signs of melanoma are asymmetry, an irregular border, uneven colour, a diameter larger than 6 mm, and any mole that is evolving. Dermatologists summarize these as the ABCDE rule.
- A. Asymmetry. One half of the mole does not match the other.
- B. Border. Edges that are ragged, blurred, or uneven.
- C. Colour. More than one colour, or shades that change.
- D. Diameter. Larger than about 6 mm (roughly a pencil eraser), though smaller ones can matter too.
- E. Evolving. Any change in size, shape, or colour, or a mole that starts to itch, bleed, or crust.
If you notice any of these, book an assessment rather than waiting for your next imaging session.
Why our imaging system
What is digital skin imaging?
Digital skin imaging is the technology that makes mole mapping reliable. Instead of an ordinary photograph, the skin is captured in multiple modes: a standard view, a polarized view that removes surface glare, a pigment view that isolates melanin, and a redness view that highlights vascular activity.
Consistent colour calibration means a colour change you see in the images is a real change in the mole, not a change in the room lighting.
How it works
What the imaging can show
What mole mapping can and can't do
Digital skin imaging is a monitoring and documentation tool. It is very good at showing whether something has changed over time. It is not a test for skin cancer. It does not diagnose, it does not detect on its own, and it cannot tell you that you are in the clear. If a spot looks concerning, the decision about what it is, and whether it needs a biopsy, belongs to your nurse practitioner, not to a camera.
Think of mole mapping as something that works alongside a skin examination, not instead of one. If you ever notice a mole that is changing quickly, bleeding, itching, or new, book an assessment rather than waiting for your next session.
Please note (disclaimer card): Mole mapping and digital skin imaging are surveillance and monitoring tools. They do not diagnose skin cancer and cannot guarantee that you are free of skin cancer or any other condition. They support, but do not replace, clinical skin examinations and any biopsies your clinician recommends.
How often should you have it done?
For most people, once a year is a good interval, which gives a year-on-year record to compare.
If you are at higher risk, such as a strong family history, many atypical moles, or a previous skin cancer, your nurse practitioner may suggest doing it more often.
There is no single schedule that fits everyone, so your NP will recommend an interval based on your skin and history. In between visits, keep using the ABCDE checklist and book sooner if something changes.
What happens if we notice a change?
A change on a photo is not a diagnosis. It is a prompt to take a closer look. If your nurse practitioner sees something worth examining, she will assess it in person and talk you through the options. That might mean simply keeping a closer eye on it, or it might mean a biopsy or removal. Pinkal Medical Aesthetics offers in-clinic mole and lesion removal, so that next step can often happen without a long wait.
Preparing for your appointment
A few small things help us capture the clearest images:
- Come with clean skin and no makeup on the areas being photographed
- Remove nail polish if your nails are being included
- Tie long hair back so the hairline and neck are visible
- Wear or bring comfortable clothing you can adjust for the areas you want imaged
- Make a note of any moles that are new, changing, or that you would like reviewed
What it costs
Mole Mapping & Digital Skin Imaging $695 + HST per session Introductory offer: the first 20 clients save $200, so $495 + HST Payment is due at the time of booking Private-pay. No referral needed. Not covered by OHIP.
Why Choose Pinkal Medical Aesthetics for Mole Mapping in London, Ontario
Mole mapping vs. a regular mole check vs. seeing a dermatologist in Ontario
Family Doctor vs Dermatologist vs Mole Mapping at Pinkal
Early signs of skin cancer to watch for between appointments
Imaging gives you a baseline. Your own attention between visits is what catches change early. Watch for:
- A mole that has changed size, shape, or colour in the last few months
- A new mole appearing after your 30s
- A mole that itches, bleeds, crusts, or will not heal
- A sore or spot that keeps returning in the same place
- A mole that looks clearly different from every other mole on your body
- Any lesion that feels raised, firm, or tender when it did not before
None of these confirms skin cancer. All of them are worth a look, and all of them are far easier to assess when we already have your baseline images on file.
Why our imaging beats phone photos
How often should you get your moles checked?
Most people benefit from a mole check once a year, with a repeat imaging session at 6 to 12 months if you are higher risk or if a specific mole is being monitored
How to prepare for your mole mapping appointment
- Come with clean skin, no makeup, self tanner, or heavy moisturizer on the areas being photographed
- Remove nail polish if nails are being included
- Tie long hair back so the hairline and neck are visible
- Wear or bring comfortable clothing you can adjust for the areas being imaged
- Make a note of any moles that are new, changing, or that you would like looked at first
Skin cancer screening in London, Ontario: what happens at your appointment
What mole mapping can and cannot do
- What it does: gives you and your clinician an accurate, dated record of what your skin looked like, so change is detected sooner and decisions are based on evidence.
- What it does not do: imaging is not a diagnosis. It does not replace a clinical examination, and it does not replace a biopsy. If something needs to be tested, it needs to be tested. Photographs support that process, they do not substitute for it.
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