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I tried a mole mapping service – here’s everything you need to know
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After a few skin concerns, IMAGE's own Meghan Killalea decided to put her mind at ease and go for a head-to-toe mole mapping service.
My skin’s health is something that’s always been very important to me. I have the quintessential pale, Irish cailín skin, so it’s safe to say that I am covered in freckles (and more than a few moles if I’m being brutally honest with myself). These have always been a bit of a concern, because I really don’t know anything about what a ‘safe’ skin blemish is and what a ‘dangerous’ one is. So, this summer, I decided to do something that had been on my wellness to-do list for a long time and get my moles checked professionally.
I chose the Rose Clinic in Dundrum, who specialise in dermoscopy and early skin cancer detection. The booking process was really simple, but they are very busy, so make sure to get your booking in soon if you are thinking of checking it out. You can’t wear any tan or make-up going to your appointment, as the pigment can mess with what the camera can pick up, so I made a point of using a body scrub in the shower the night before.
The team couldn’t have been nicer on the day, and I was greeted by Rose Clinic’s lovely nurse Niamh, who walked me through the whole process very clearly. We started by discussing any moles I was concerned about, whether they were ones I had had since childhood or ones that I had only just recently started noticing.
The process
She explained the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Chart to me, of which I am a Type 1 (light, pale skin tone that burns instead of tans when out in the sun), and that based on this, I shouldn’t be overly concerned about my volume of freckles. She also explained that usually if you’ve had a freckle since childhood, there is a high likelihood that it’s nothing to be concerned about – though if it starts to change colour or shape, you should always get it checked out.
We then moved on to the physical mole mapping, where Niamh instructed me to stand in front of the camera in different positions so she could get an accurate overall picture of my skin. Be warned, you will have to be in your underwear for this part, but the atmosphere was so relaxed and comfortable thanks to Niamh that I didn’t feel an ounce of self-consciousness. We did six different poses, both with arms up and down, and feet up and down, to get the most accurate images possible for the session.
Once finished, I sat down while Niamh showed me the images we captured. Rose Clinic uses a brilliant AI software that analyses the images and flags anything it deems needs a closer look. Niamh also thoroughly went through the images and verified the parts that the software had picked up on and noted any that weren’t caught that she felt deserved further examination.
This was when she began using the ultra close-up camera, which she pressed onto any areas or moles to look at more closely. This allowed us to see whether there was odd discolouration, red veins, or any other alarm bells that would require further testing. Luckily, upon initial inspection, all of my moles and blemishes appeared to be absolutely healthy, which was a huge relief to hear. She informed me that these images would still be sent to the doctor to review, just in case.
Afterwards, Niamh sent me on my way with heaps of informational booklets for me to look through in case any questions came to mind once I had left. About a week later, I received a call from one of the doctors in the Rose Clinic who confirmed that all my moles, freckles, and blemishes were healthy and I had nothing to be concerned about.
As someone who, as recently as last month, had people in her life getting moles removed and waiting to hear back to see if they are healthy or not, this is something I am so glad I did, both for my physical and mental wellness. I couldn’t recommend the experience more, so if you are on the fence about getting your skin checked, trust me when I say it is absolutely 100% worth it.
Treatment & Pricing
A full body mole screening appointment at Rose Clinic costs €330 and consists of head-to-toe, full body digital imaging and dermoscopic assessment of any lesion that has atypical characteristics.
They also offer a dermoscopic assessment of up to 5 lesions for €160. Returning appointment fees are as follows:
- Returning full body screening – €275
- Returning mole check – €120
You do not need a GP referral to attend Rose Clinic. You can self-refer by contacting their Central Booking Office on 021 234 7560 or by emailing info@roseclinic.ie.
The IMAGE Wellness Project is sponsored by Activia and Irish Life Health. Visit our IMAGE Wellness Project Hub to follow weekly updates including interviews, videos and podcast episodes with leading wellbeing experts.
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