Skin checks with full body photography in Brisbane – worth it?

In the beautiful sunshine of Brisbane, where extensive days and prolonged UV exposure is common, skin health is much more than aesthetic—it is a component of our overall health! Queensland has one of the world’s highest rates of skin cancer, which is why regular skin checks are more than good practice; they are a necessity. In the last several years, a number of Brisbane clinics have offered skin checks and full body photography as a way to assist with the early detection of skin conditions and long-term monitoring. But, is it worth it? 

Let’s explore what is involved in full body photography, how it compares to regular skin checks, and whether it would be a good investment in your health.

What Do Skin Checks with Full Body Imaging Entail? 

A traditional skin check is simply seeing a dermatologist or skin cancer professional for a visual inspection of your skin for suspicious moles, lesions, or growths. This inspection is done with a dermatoscope (a portable hand-held magnifying device that has a light source). While this method is effective, it does have limitations, especially in the area of tracking change over time.

Full body imaging can enhance the skin check process by taking a series of high-resolution photographs of your body in a studio environment that is typically consistent or similar for each visit. These photographs can be stored and provide a baseline for the dermatology professional to do the following:

• Determine if there are new spots that arise over time.
• Measure existing moles for change in size, color, or shape.
• Identify suspicious lesions early – allowing dermatologists to detect something before it is alarming to see.

The storage of images will create a visual history of your skin and will be compared at each follow-up visit.

Why It’s Particularly Relevant in Brisbane

When you live in Brisbane you live in one of the hottest sun structures in the world. We regularly experience extreme UV Index ratings, even in the colder months, and high sun exposure increases the likelihood of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.

A few key statistics that help illustrate these facts include:

• Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by age 70.
• Queensland has the largest incidence of melanoma in the world.
• Caught and diagnosed at an early stage, the survival rate improves to over 90%.

These realities alone make any product that is able to aid in early detection very valuable.

Are There Any Drawbacks?

Like any public health service, full body photography is not for everyone, and here are some disadvantages to think about:

• Price – In Australia, this service is usually not paid for by Medicare or private health insurance. You’ll usually pay out-of-pocket (it can be anywhere from $150 to $500 depending on clinic and whether it includes a specialist consultation).
• Privacy concerns – Clinics follow strict stats management protocols, but for some, the idea of their bodies being photographed and stored digitally, there can be discomfort.
• Not a substitute for vigilance – You still must carry out your own monthly self-examinations and-good sun safety, irrespective of how sophisticated the imaging.

What to Expect During the Appointment.

A typical appointment will take 30-60 minutes. You will be asked to undress your underwear in a private imaging room. The photographer (for our clinics, this is usually a nurse or trained technician) will then take images from various angles. The clinics use specialized, high-resolution equipment to ensure uniformity and clarity for the imaging.

Some clinics also provide an option for mole mapping, which is a type of more detailed assessment of individual moles. This is done with dermoscopy images and computerized monitoring, which adds a further layer of precision, particularly with high-risk patients.

Once the imaging is complete, a dermatologist will examine the images, do a manual skin inspection and discuss findings and recommendations.

Brisbane Clinics That Offer This

There are several reputable clinics in Brisbane which provide full body photography as part of their skin cancer screening services:

• SunDoctors Skin Cancer Clinics
• MoleMap by Dermatologists
• Q Dermatology
• The Melanoma Centre
• Brisbane Skin

When selecting a clinic, look for clinics that have dermatologists on staff (not just GPs), good quality imaging equipment, and follow up.

Is It Worth It?

If you live in Brisbane, are over 30, have fair skin, spend plenty of time outdoors, or have had multiple sunburns or been diagnosed with skin cancer, then yes—definitely worth it. 

Skin check with full body photography is a small investment with a huge payoff in peace of mind and potentially your life. Melanoma at an early stage is highly treatable, and this healing technology allows us to catch, monitor, and diagnose sooner than traditional skin checks.

Think of it as a high-resolution backup of your skin that is available when it matters. 

In Conclusion

With the intensity of the sun in Brisbane and increased risk for skin cancer, taking proactive measures with your skin health has never been so important. While full body photography is not an established standard as part of every skin check, it is a significant tool in the war against skin cancer. When combined with regular skin checks, sun smart behaviours and self-monitoring, you have done everything possible to stay ahead of the game. By searching comprehensive skin check near me on the browser, you can find a good option.