Mole mapping
An injury that wasn’t there before. Mole mapping is the most effective way of answering these questions with certainty: a comprehensive dermatoscopic examination that systematically analyses all skin lesions, documents their characteristics and allows their development to be monitored over time.
When done regularly, it is the most effective way to look after your skin before any problems arise.
What is mole mapping and how does it work?
Mole mapping is a non-invasive dermatological examination that involves the dermoscopic assessment of all skin lesions: moles, pigmented patches and lesions of various kinds. Using a specialised dermoscopic instrument, the doctor captures high-resolution images of each mole, revealing structural details (colour, borders, vascular patterns, pigment distribution) that are invisible to the naked eye.
The images are stored and compared during subsequent appointments: it is precisely this comparison over time that makes professional mole mapping such a powerful tool for prevention. Even the slightest changes in the appearance of a mole become immediately apparent when you have photographic records to refer to.
Why have your moles checked: the importance of prevention
Melanoma is one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer, but it has one key characteristic that sets it apart from many other cancers: if diagnosed early, it is highly treatable. Early diagnosis depends on the ability to recognise changes in existing moles or the appearance of new suspicious lesions before they reach an advanced stage.
Prevention through regular monitoring is the most effective way of achieving this objective: it does not replace a dermatological consultation, but complements it by adding the dimension of time to the clinical assessment. A mole that appears normal during a single check-up may only reveal a worrying progression when compared with the previous year’s images.
Who should have their moles checked
Mole checks are recommended for everyone, but certain groups of people have a more urgent need: those with a family history of melanoma or skin cancer, those with numerous or large moles, those with fair skin who are prone to sunburn, those with a history of intense or prolonged sun exposure – particularly at a young age – and those who have previously had suspicious or removed skin lesions.
How often should the examination be repeated?
For most people, an annual mapping session is sufficient for effective monitoring. Those with significant risk factors or moles that require closer monitoring may be advised to attend check-ups more frequently, tailored to their individual clinical situation.
How does a mole mapping session work?
A mole mapping session at Studio Garavaglia takes about 30 minutes. Dr Garavaglia systematically examines the entire skin surface, taking dermoscopic images of every relevant lesion.
At the end of the examination, the patient receives a clear and easy-to-understand assessment: which moles are completely normal, which warrant closer monitoring, and which may require further diagnostic investigation or removal.
What happens if a mole looks suspicious?
Mole mapping is not just about prevention: it is also the first step in treating suspicious moles. When a lesion exhibits characteristics that warrant further investigation (changes in colour, irregular edges, asymmetry, atypical dermoscopic patterns), Dr Garavaglia determines the most appropriate course of action: either close monitoring to track its development, or removal of the lesion followed by a histological examination to establish a definitive diagnosis.
Comprehensive mole mapping programme: prevention is a long-term process
The true effectiveness of mole mapping becomes apparent over time. Regular annual meetings and documentation updated year on year make it possible to identify any variations and to spot changes before any problems arise.
It is one of the simplest and most effective things you can do to look after your health.
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Why choose Studio Garavaglia?
The quality of mole mapping depends on the technology used, but above all on the clinical experience of the person carrying it out. Recognising a suspicious lesion requires years of dermatoscopic experience and a thorough understanding of risk patterns. Dr Garavaglia’s expertise ensures that monitoring continues over time.
Book your mole check-up
Don’t wait until you have any concerns before booking an appointment: mole checks are most effective when carried out regularly. Book your appointment at Studio Garavaglia and start a preventative programme that builds up year after year.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about mole mapping
Is mole mapping painful?
How long does mole mapping take?
The appointment lasts about 30 minutes, which is sufficient time for a systematic examination of the entire skin surface and for a final consultation with the doctor regarding the results of the examination.
Do I need to do anything to prepare before the mapping?
Does mole mapping also detect melanoma?
Dermoscopic mapping enables the identification of lesions with suspicious characteristics that require further histological investigation. It is not a definitive diagnostic tool for melanoma (which is determined by histological examination following removal), but it is the most effective way of detecting, at an early stage, lesions that warrant attention before they progress.
What happens if the doctor finds a suspicious mole?
Dr Garavaglia will determine the most appropriate course of action based on the characteristics of the lesion: either close monitoring to track its progression, or removal followed by a histological examination to establish a definitive diagnosis. In both cases, the patient’s care is managed on an ongoing basis by the same doctor who carried out the mapping.