Full body skin examination, or mole mapping, is performed by doctors or nurses with the aim of detecting changes in the skin that are atypical or suspicious. This examination is especially necessary if:
- You have growing and changing moles on your skin
- You have numerous moles and pigment spots
- Your close relatives have had melanoma or other skin cancers
Systematic skin examinations are also recommended for people who have used or continue to use tanning beds, as well as for those who frequently go on “sun holidays” (receiving high doses of UV radiation).
If suspicious lesions are found during the skin examination, the patient will be advised on the best method for further diagnosis and treatment. Based on the findings, the patient’s skin type, the number and type of moles, the presence of sun damage, heredity, and other factors, the doctor will advise how often skin examinations should be repeated. Doctors will also provide guidance on how and how frequently you should monitor your own skin.
A full body skin examination, or dermatoscopy, involves both digital and manual epiluminescence microscopy for the diagnosis of skin changes, with the possibility of digital image recording. Dermatoscopy is used worldwide to improve the diagnostic accuracy of melanoma and skin cancer and to quickly differentiate between benign and malignant skin tumors without invasive procedures. Dermatoscopy allows for the systematic mapping and dynamic monitoring of skin changes over the entire body.
All our doctors have undergone specialized training in dermatoscopy, and many are members of the International Dermoscopy Society, which allows for teledermatoscopic consultations with other leading specialists worldwide for complex problems. We have the most extensive experience in this field in Estonia, performing over 10,000 full body skin examinations and providing more than 1,000 e-consultations annually via Dermtest. If a doctor conducts the dermatoscopy, you will receive the results during the appointment, along with any necessary advice on the further treatment plan. If a nurse conducts the examination, we will provide the results within 48 hours. Based on our experience, we have diagnosed over 1,200 cases of early (completely treatable) skin cancer during Niine Skin Clinic’s six years of operation.
We perform dermatoscopy with the DermLite Foto System device. For more information, see dermlite.com.
Skin examinations are conducted by oncologist Dr. Marianne Niin, Dr. Mari Palm, Dr. Keidy Reinsoo, Dr. Kristin Kont, resident doctor Dr. Tuulike Valliste, and dermatovenereology resident doctor Dr. Grete Vips.
