SKIN CANCER CHECKS
3D mole mapping
3D photography records your skin to help identify new or changing spots over time.
- Includes a full body skin check by a doctor
- Over 100 high-resolution images
- For people with many moles or higher melanoma risk
- Typically 30-40 minutes
3D mole mapping creates a detailed photographic record of your skin, providing a baseline for comparison at future visits. Your appointment combines this photography with a full body skin check by a doctor.
During the skin check, suspicious or changing lesions are examined using dermoscopy, allowing the doctor to assess structures beneath the surface of the skin that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
This is our most comprehensive skin surveillance appointment for patients who require close monitoring.
At future visits, new photographs are compared with previous images to detect new or changing lesions, helping identify skin cancers earlier and avoid unnecessary procedures when spots remain unchanged.
Most skin cancers are new, but some develop from existing spots that change over time.
By comparing current images with previous photographs:
- New lesions can be identified earlier
- Subtle changes in existing moles can be detected
- Stable spots can be confidently left alone, reducing unnecessary biopsies or excisions
This is particularly valuable for areas that are hard to see yourself, such as the back or scalp.
Some people also monitor their skin between visits using personal photographs of moles, which can help identify new or changing spots before their next appointment.
Fees and rebates
Consultation fees apply. Some consultations may be eligible for Medicare rebates.
If biopsy or treatment is recommended, additional fees may apply and will be discussed before proceeding. See our pricing page for indicative fee information.
Who is this combined appointment most suitable for?
3D mole mapping is most useful for people at higher risk of melanoma, including:
- People with more than 100 moles
- A personal or family history of melanoma
- Multiple atypical or dysplastic moles
- People seeking the highest level of structured skin surveillance.
We also offer standalone 3D mole mapping (without a skin check) for patients whose clinical examinations are performed elsewhere. Please call reception to arrange this option.
Please call to book this option.
MBBS, MA (Virtual Comm), Grad Cert Hlth Info, Grad Dip Comp Inf Sci
OptimaScan 3D total body photography
OptimaScan is an automated system that captures over 100 high-resolution images in about one minute using standardised lighting and positioning.
The images are stitched into a 3D model of your body and securely stored in DermEngine, allowing:
- Accurate comparison over time
- AI-assisted detection of new and changing lesions
- Secure access to your images via web or mobile app
How it’s done
- You’ll undress to your underwear and remove jewellery and accessories.
- Long hair is tied back; a cap may be used.
- You stand on the OptimaScan platform holding handles for stability.
- The cameras rotate once around you, taking about 1 minute.
Some areas (scalp, palms, soles, under breasts) may need additional photographs.
Video: A man steps on to the OptimaScan platform. The lighting and camera rig is positioned behind him in preparation for commencement of a scanning session.
How to prepare
Booked a mole mapping appointment? Here’s what to do next.
We need the best possible visibility for examining and photographing your skin. Please don’t wear make-up, fake tan and avoid tinted nail polish if possible.
If you have long hair, tie it up so that it’s not obscuring your forehead, face or the back of your neck.
Mole mapping works best if your skin is clear and the moles are easy to see from a distance. If you are very hairy, you may wish to consider shaving, clipping or waxing before your appointment.
The digital mole analytics system detects spots, which includes spots on underwear. We recommend you wear plain, light-coloured, non-patterned underwear to increase the accuracy of analysis. Briefer underwear allows us to document more of your skin surface—G-strings or brief-style underwear work well, but wear whatever you’re comfortable with.
Mapping your moles
Our system records where your moles are located on your body.
Image: Lesions from an OptimaScan 3D model of a man’s body are detected and mapped by DermEngine software.
Identifying changes
At future mole mapping visits, the same series of photographs will be repeated.
Your doctor or nurse will compare the new and old photos to see if there are any changes.
The software also highlights any changes (new spots and changed spots). This happens quickly, while you are still at Spot Check Clinic.
Image: DermEngine mole mapping software compares photographs of a man’s back at different times and identifies which moles have changed.
Examination of new and changing spots
Your doctor then examines any flagged spots with a dermoscope. If a spot appears suspicious, we can:
- Perform a biopsy, often on the same day
- Arrange excision if required
- Monitor low-risk lesions with repeat imaging
Image: A suspect mole is identified, located and a high resolution dermoscopic image is taken for future reference using DermEngine software.