Skin treatments
Full Body Mole & Blemish Check in Knightsbridge: What to Expect
Why a head-to-toe skin examination matters, who should have one and how often, what happens during the appointment, dermoscopy and mole mapping, what the possible outcomes are, and how to check your own skin between visits.
By Fatemeh, Founder & Lead Practitioner, Levirgo Aesthetics Clinic 14 min read
Reviewed December 2025 
Why a full-body check matters
Skin cancers are common and rising in the UK, but when found early they are usually straightforward to treat. Melanoma in particular has an excellent outlook when it is thin at diagnosis and a much poorer one once it has spread. A full-body check gives a trained clinician the chance to examine areas you can’t easily see yourself — your back, scalp, the backs of your legs, between your toes — and to build a record so future changes stand out.
Approximate figures based on published UK data; they illustrate why finding melanoma early — while it is thin — matters so much.
Who should have one, and how often
| Your situation | Suggested approach |
|---|---|
| No particular risk factors | Monthly self-checks; professional check if you notice change |
| Fair skin, freckles, history of sunburn or sunbed use | Baseline check, then every 12–24 months |
| Many moles (50+) or several atypical moles | Baseline with mole mapping, then every 6–12 months |
| Personal history of melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancer | Regular checks as advised by your specialist (often every 3–12 months) |
| First-degree relative with melanoma | Baseline check, then every 12 months |
| Immunosuppressed (e.g. transplant, certain medications) | Every 6–12 months, closer if lesions found |
These are general guides. Your clinician will set an interval based on your skin, history and what they find.
What happens during the appointment
- History
Your skin-cancer risk factors, sun and sunbed history, family history, any lesions you’re worried about, and previous skin surgery.
- Full skin examination
In good light, in a gown, the clinician systematically examines the skin from scalp to soles — including behind the ears, the scalp, nails and between the toes. It takes 15–30 minutes.
- Dermoscopy
Any lesion of interest is examined with a dermatoscope, which reveals structures invisible to the naked eye and greatly improves accuracy.
- Mole mapping (if indicated)
For people with many or atypical moles, standardised photographs — overview images plus close-ups of specific lesions — create a baseline for future comparison.
- Plan
You leave with a clear outcome: reassurance and a self-check plan, a lesion to photograph and review, or a recommendation to remove and biopsy something.
The ABCDE guide and the “ugly duckling”
| Letter | Sign |
|---|---|
| A — Asymmetry | One half doesn’t match the other |
| B — Border | Irregular, ragged or blurred edges |
| C — Colour | More than one colour, or uneven colour |
| D — Diameter | Larger than 6 mm, or growing |
| E — Evolving | Changing in size, shape, colour, or new symptoms (itch, bleeding, crusting) |
The “ugly duckling” sign: a mole that simply looks different from all your others deserves a check, even if it doesn’t tick an ABCDE box.
Don’t wait for your scheduled check
If a mole is changing, itching, bleeding, crusting or not healing — or a new pigmented spot appears after age 30 — book an assessment promptly rather than waiting for a routine review.
Possible outcomes of a check
- Reassurance — everything looks benign; continue monthly self-checks and sun protection, return at the advised interval.
- Short-interval monitoring — a borderline lesion is photographed at high magnification and reviewed in around 3 months to see if it has changed.
- Excision biopsy — a suspicious lesion is removed in full under local anaesthetic and sent to a pathologist. Results usually take 1–2 weeks.
- Urgent referral — where melanoma or another skin cancer is suspected, you’re referred on the urgent (two-week-wait) pathway.
- Cosmetic removal — a mole that is benign but bothersome can be removed privately; it is still sent for histology.
Book your full-body skin check
A systematic, dermoscopy-led examination with a doctor, plus a clear plan for your next check. Bring any moles you’re worried about.
Reducing your future risk
- Daily broad-spectrum SPF 30–50 on exposed skin, reapplied when outdoors for long periods.
- Seek shade between 11am and 3pm from spring to autumn; cover up with clothing and a hat.
- Never use sunbeds.
- Do a monthly self-check in a mirror, including your back and scalp; ask someone to help with hard-to-see areas.
- Photograph any mole you’re unsure about so you can track change.
- Keep your professional checks at the interval you’ve been given.
What it costs in London
| Service | Typical London price |
|---|---|
| Full-body skin examination with dermoscopy | £150–£350 |
| Full-body check with mole mapping (baseline) | £250–£500 |
| Follow-up mole-mapping review | £120–£280 |
| Excision biopsy of a lesion (incl. histology) | £350–£700 |
Removal of any lesion is quoted separately after the examination. Prices are confirmed in writing.
How Levirgo runs skin checks
- Systematic head-to-toe examination with dermoscopy by a doctor.
- Mole-mapping photography for people with many or atypical moles, so future change is measurable.
- A clear written outcome and interval for your next check.
- Excision biopsy with histology for anything suspicious — never destructive removal of a pigmented lesion.
- Urgent-pathway referral when skin cancer is suspected.
- CQC-registered clinic in Knightsbridge with transparent pricing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a full body mole check cost in Knightsbridge?
A full-body examination with dermoscopy is typically £150–£350 in London. Adding baseline mole-mapping photography brings it to around £250–£500, with follow-up mapping reviews £120–£280. Removing and testing a lesion is quoted separately.
How often should I have a skin check?
It depends on your risk. With no particular risk factors, monthly self-checks are usually enough. Fair skin or a family history suggests every 1–2 years; many or atypical moles every 6–12 months with mole mapping; and a personal history of skin cancer means following your specialist’s schedule.
What happens during the appointment?
After a short history, a clinician examines your skin from scalp to soles in good light, using a dermatoscope on anything of interest. If you have many moles, standardised photographs create a baseline. You leave with a clear outcome and a date for your next check. It takes 15–30 minutes.
Does the check include intimate areas?
A standard check covers all readily visible skin. Genital, buttock and breast skin are only examined with your explicit consent and where clinically relevant — you can decline any part of the examination.
What is dermoscopy?
A dermatoscope is a handheld device with magnification and polarised light that reveals pigment and vascular structures within a lesion that can’t be seen with the naked eye. It significantly improves the accuracy of deciding whether a mole is benign or needs removing.
What is mole mapping?
A set of standardised overview photographs of your skin plus close-ups of specific lesions, stored as a baseline. At future visits the images are compared so a clinician can identify the single lesion that has changed among many.
What if you find something suspicious?
A suspicious lesion is removed in full by excision biopsy under local anaesthetic and sent to a pathologist, with results in one to two weeks. If melanoma or another skin cancer is strongly suspected, you’re referred on the urgent two-week-wait pathway.
Can I have a mole removed just because I don’t like it?
Yes — a benign but bothersome mole can be removed privately for cosmetic reasons. It is still sent for histology to confirm the diagnosis. Your clinician will discuss the likely scar first.
What are the main risk factors for melanoma?
Fair skin that burns easily, a history of sunburn or sunbed use, many moles or atypical moles, a personal or family history of melanoma, older age, and a weakened immune system. Having risk factors doesn’t mean you’ll develop it — it means regular checks are worthwhile.
How do I check my own skin?
Once a month, in a well-lit room with a full-length and a hand mirror, look over your whole body including your scalp, back, buttocks, soles and between your toes. Use the ABCDE guide and look for any mole that stands out from the rest or has changed. Photograph anything you’re unsure about.
Levirgo Aesthetics Clinic · Knightsbridge
Doctor-led skin surveillance in Knightsbridge
A documented baseline, dermoscopy, and a proper pathway if something needs removing. No obligation to proceed.
Sources & further reading
This article is general information about skin checks and is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a substitute for assessment of a specific lesion. If you are worried about a mole or skin change, seek a clinical assessment promptly. Prices are indicative London ranges for 2026 and are confirmed in writing after assessment.