Health, Men's Health, Sun Protection, Treatments, Women's Health
OneWelbeck is London’s newest, and one of the country’s largest, private medical diagnostic facilities, with the most advanced mole mapping technology currently available in the UK.
Located within minutes of London’s medical district, Harley Street, OneWelbeck has the only VECTRA WB360 whole body 3D imaging system in the country. This state of the art technology can capture a person’s entire skin surface in macro quality resolution in less than 10 seconds.
Using a single image, the VECTRA WB360 can produce over 90 categorised images and data, creating a full 3D image of the body, replicating every mole on the skin surface in complete detail. The fully integrated software then allows a OneWelbeck dermatology specialist to map and monitor pigmented lesions and diseases of the skin.
In the past I have had moles checked by a dermatologist and a nurse who photographed areas of my body for future comparison, but nothing prepared me for how incredibly efficient and technologically advanced the VECTRA WB360 would be. The benefits of mole mapping are that abnormal moles can be picked up quickly and subtle changes can be detected by the mole mapping system. The sooner abnormal moles and skin cancers are detected the quicker they can be removed for a higher cure rate.
After booking my appointment with OneWelbeck, I downloaded their App and completed all my pre-registration details. On the day of my appointment, I met Dr Suchitra Chinthapalli, a Consultant Dermatologist with expertise in all areas of skin health, especially skin cancer. Dr Suchitra went through a list of questions with me, including where I was born, any history I or my family may have of skin cancer, any sun damage I might have had as a child, my history of any sunburn as an adult and if I had ever used sunbeds. Thankfully I don’t have any history of sunburn and have never used sunbeds, I also use a high factor SPF sunscreen every day.
Once all the questions were answered, Dr Suchitra examined me all over with a microscopic light called a Dermatoscope and identified some rough brown raised lesions that are seborrheic keratoses and not thought to be of any risk.
Dr Suchitra flagged up just one mole that she wanted to see in greater detail when I had the VECTRA images taken.
Following my consultation with Dr Suchitra, I went to be photographed by the futuristic VECTRA camera. After removing all my clothing and wearing just a small paper thong, I stepped into the marked area between the two sections of the VECTRA imaging system. I closed my eyes, raised my hands slightly and before I knew it, one flash from multiple cameras and the system had mole mapped my entire body!
At all times I felt completely at ease as my dermatology nurse made the whole process comfortable and completely dignified.
The mole that was flagged by Dr Suchitra was photographed in close-up detail using an electronic Dermatoscope and the VECTRA quickly identified it as being a low risk lesion.
While I was dressing, the VECTRA imaging system was creating a 360-degree avatar image of my whole body and every single mole, mark or lesion, identifying any that may be at risk. The images are stored on the OneWelbeck system and downloaded onto a USB stick for you to keep for your own records. The images are uncannily accurate and quite incredible when you see a 360 degree image of your body in a way you have never seen it before. However closely you look in a mirror, you will never see anything like being presented with yourself on screen!
Your images are then scrutinised by a dermatologist before a report is sent to you just a few days later.
Luckily no further investigations or treatment were advised. Dr Suchitra recommended self-examining my skin at 2, 3 and then every 4-6 months and if any lesion has changed or appeared to make an appointment with my GP.
Asymmetry: loss of symmetry – the two halves of your mole do not look the same
Border: changing shape, particularly getting an irregular edge
Colour: changing colour – getting darker, becoming patchy or multi shaded
Diameter: getting bigger
Evolution: a new or changing mole
Other: itching or painful, bleeding or becoming crusty or looking inflamed
A high factor sunscreen was also recommended that protects against UVB, UVA and visible light. Sunbeds were to be avoided as they significantly increase the risk of skin cancer.
OneWelbeck offer the most comprehensive and advanced Mole Mapping System in the UK and can quickly identify any worrying lesion. They can also help you to monitor your moles in future, identifying any that change from year to year.
I won’t hesitate to continue having my moles charted by OneWelbeck – it’s peace of mind for the future.
OneWelbeck Mole Mapping costs £495 (Self-paying patients)
A stand-alone consultation can be booked to assess a mole of concern, without the full mole mapping service: £250-£350 (depending on the consultant)
For more details visit OneWelbeck
The Mole Mapping service at OneWelback was kindly gifted for this editorial feature
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