Mole Mapping Technology
Tracking skin changes for early assessment.
Mole mapping creates high-quality images of your skin to document new moles and monitor changes in existing ones over time. This technology supports early identification of areas that may need clinical assessment, especially for patients at higher risk of skin cancer.
Melanoma rates have been rising for several decades, highlighting the importance of regular skin monitoring and timely medical assessment.
The Melanoma Research Foundation
Our smart skin imaging system.
Dr. Ben Wiese uses the FotoFinder Automated Total Body Mapping (ATBM) system to capture high-resolution images and create a digital record of your moles. This helps support monitoring over time and assists with identifying changes that may require medical attention.
High-resolution photography
Provides clear, detailed images to support accurate monitoring and clinical decision-making.
State-of-the-art software
Uses advanced imaging tools to help identify changes over time with the latest diagnostic technology.
Health Canada licensed
Your scans and personal information are handled using approved systems designed to keep your data safe and secure.
How mole mapping works.
- FotoFinder is a Health Canada–licensed, computerized skin-mapping system that captures high-quality images of your moles.
- The high-resolution camera is connected to a computer and securely transfers all photos into the clinic’s database.
- During follow-up visits, your doctor can compare new images with your baseline photos to monitor for changes over time.
* Please note that whole, full, or total body photography captures approximately 90% of the skin surface. Certain areas cannot be photographed.
Request an appointment.
To learn more about mole mapping, what to expect, or to book a session, please contact our office and we’d be happy to help.
Frequently asked questions
Digital mole mapping may be helpful for people who are at higher risk for melanoma or who need ongoing monitoring of their skin. The following factors are commonly associated with an increased risk:
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Having many moles (more than 50)
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A family history of melanoma
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A previous melanoma or skin cancer diagnosis
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A history of dysplastic (atypical) moles
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Large (more than 2 millimetres) or irregularly shaped moles
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Moles that are changing or new moles appearing
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A history of severe, blistering sunburns in childhood or adolescence
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Past or current tanning bed use
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Very fair or light skin
If you’re unsure whether mole mapping is right for you, your doctor can help determine if it may be appropriate based on your personal risk factors.
To help ensure clear and consistent images during your mole mapping session, please keep the following in mind:
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Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that are easy to remove.
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Dark or black undergarments are helpful for image contrast, and wearing similar undergarments at future sessions supports consistent comparisons. Boxer shorts are not recommended.
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Remove as much jewelry as possible, including watches, bracelets, necklaces, chains, earrings, and piercings.
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Avoid makeup, lipstick, eyeliner, and nail polish on the day of your appointment.
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Do not use self-tanning products in the week before your session.
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If you have long hair, please wear it up to keep your back and shoulders visible.
If you have moles in areas normally covered by undergarments that you would like included, please let the medical assistant know when you arrive. They can guide you on what is appropriate and ensure your comfort and privacy during the session.
Full body photography, along with a complete skin examination, typically takes up to 60 minutes. Appointment length may vary depending on individual needs.
Digital mole mapping is often recommended every 6 to 12 months, depending on your individual risk factors. Your doctor can help determine the most appropriate follow-up schedule for you.
Please call our office at 236-420-3277 to book a privately paid digital mole mapping appointment, which includes a full body skin examination. Our team can also answer any questions about the visit, fees, and availability.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can develop in melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment in the skin. Moles are also formed from melanocytes, and although most moles remain harmless, some melanomas may begin in or near an existing mole. Monitoring changes (such as new moles or shifts in size, shape, or colour) can help identify areas that may need medical assessment. Early recognition and evaluation are important in managing skin cancer.
One of our skin cancer trained nurses will take your photos with the FotoFinder Automated Total Body Mapping system. Your physician will review your photographs, analyze any changes and discuss them with you during your full-body skin exam.
You will undress to your level of comfort and be positioned in front of the FotoFinder camera. Full-body overview photographs are taken first. After that, Dr. Wiese will complete a full body skin exam using a handheld dermatoscope. Any moles that need closer imaging will be marked, and additional magnified photographs will be taken with a handheld device.
Digital mole mapping cannot be performed if you have a rash, sunburn, or prominent tan lines, as these can affect the clarity of the images and make comparison more difficult. Your appointment can be rescheduled once your skin has returned to its usual appearance.
Yes. Digital mole mapping is a tool that supports your doctor by providing images for comparison over time, but it does not replace a full body skin exam. Your doctor will still perform a complete skin examination, as not all new or changing areas can be identified through imaging alone.
The “ABCDEFG” rule can help you notice changes or features in a mole that may warrant a closer look. If you observe any of the signs below, please bring them to your doctor’s attention for assessment.
A – Asymmetry: one half looks different from the other
B – Borders: irregular, blurred, or jagged edges
C – Colour: uneven colour or multiple shades
D – Diameter: larger than ¼ inch (about 6 mm)
E – Evolving: any change in size, shape, colour, or elevation
F – Firm: feels firmer than surrounding skin
G – Growing: increasing in size over time
Scientific studies on mole mapping.
Indications for Digital Monitoring of Patients with Multiple Nevi
Recommendations from the International Dermoscopy Society
Russo et al. (2022)
The Value of Total Body Photography for the Early Detection of Melanoma
A Systematic Review
Hornung et al. (2021)
The importance of total-body photography
Sequential digital dermatoscopy for monitoring patients at increased melanoma risk
Deinlein et al. (2020)
Usefulness of the ‘two-step method’
Digital follow-up for early-stage melanoma detection in high-risk French patients: a retrospective 4-year study
Gasparini et al. (2019)
Benefits of total body photography and digital dermatoscopy
Early diagnosis of melanoma in patients at high risk for melanoma
Salerni et al. (2012)
Total body skin examination
Skin cancer screening in patients with focused symptoms
Argenziano et al. (2012)