Our Mole Scanning Service lets you have worrying moles or skin lesions checked quickly and safely at your local Dears Pharmacy.

During a short appointment, a trained member of our pharmacy team takes high-quality, close-up images of your mole using a medical-grade dermatoscope. These images are securely sent to Map My Mole, a UK service that provides expert review by consultant dermatologists.

You’ll then receive a clear, written report advising whether the mole appears benign or needs further medical assessment.

Why

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, but when it’s found early, treatment outcomes are usually much better. Many people:

• Are worried about a changing mole

• Struggle to access a GP or dermatology appointment

• Aren’t sure whether a mole is harmless or needs attention

Our Mole Scanning Service offers:

• Fast reassurance if everything looks normal

• Early warning if something needs further investigation

• Convenient local access in the community, without long waits

It doesn’t replace medical care, but it helps you decide what to do next – sooner rather than later.

How

1. Book an appointment
   Book online or contact your local Dears Pharmacy to arrange a mole scanning appointment.

2. Attend your 10–15 minute visit
   A trained member of our pharmacy team will:

   • Ask a few questions about your mole and medical history

   • Clean the area if needed

   • Use a dermatoscope (a special magnifying lens with light) to take detailed photos of the mole

3. Secure upload to Map My Mole

   • Images are uploaded using the Map My Mole app over a secure, encrypted connection

   • The case is allocated to a UK consultant dermatologist for review

4. Consultant report

   • A consultant dermatologist reviews your images and information

   • A written report is sent back, usually within 24–48 hours

   • The report will state whether the mole looks benign or whether you should seek urgent or routine medical assessment

5. Next steps and support

   • We’ll explain your report and what it means

   • If further investigation is advised, you can take the report to your GP or another healthcare professional to support referral or follow-up

This is a screening and assessment service – it does not provide a formal diagnosis or treatment of skin cancer.

Who

You might benefit from the Mole Scanning Service if you:

• Have noticed a mole changing in size, shape, or colour

• Have a new mole that looks different from your other moles

• Have a mole that itches, bleeds, crusts or doesn’t heal

• Have lots of moles and want a specific one checked

• Have a personal or family history of skin cancer and want closer attention to a particular lesion

If you have been advised to seek urgent medical help (for example, by your GP or NHS 111), this service is not a replacement for that advice.

Where

The Mole Scanning Service is available at selected Dears Pharmacy branches across Central Scotland, including Edinburgh, Fife and surrounding areas.

When booking online, you can:

• Choose your nearest branch

• Select “Mole Scanning Service” from the list of services

• Pick a date and time that suits you

New branches will be added over time as we expand the service.

Benefits

• Fast peace of mind – expert review usually within 24–48 hours

• Consultant dermatologist oversight – images are reviewed by UK consultant dermatologists via Map My Mole

• Local and accessible – in your community pharmacy, without lengthy waits

• Non-invasive and painless – no needles, no cutting, just imaging

• Clear written report – easy-to-understand advice with suggested next steps

• Supports early detection – helps pick up suspicious lesions earlier, when outcomes are generally better

• Helpful for your GP – you can share the report to support faster referral and assessment

Contact Details

To arrange a Mole Scanning appointment or ask a question, you can:

• Book online via our service booking page – choose your local branch and select Mole Scanning Service from the dropdown.

• Call your local Dears Pharmacy – our team can advise on availability, price and suitability.

• Visit in person – pop into your nearest branch and ask about the Mole Scanning Service at the pharmacy counter.

If you’re unsure whether this service is right for you, our pharmacy team will be happy to advise.

FAQs

Is this a skin cancer diagnosis?

No. The Mole Scanning Service is a screening and assessment service, not a full medical diagnosis.

A UK consultant dermatologist reviews your images and provides a professional opinion on whether the mole looks benign or needs further medical assessment. If there is concern, you will be advised to see your GP or another specialist for diagnosis and treatment.

How quickly will I get my results?

Most people receive their report within 24–48 hours of their images being uploaded.

We’ll contact you as soon as we have the report, or you may receive it directly, depending on the exact pathway used.

How many moles can I have checked?

The service is designed to assess a limited number of specific moles or lesions that you’re worried about, rather than a full-body mole map.

If you have concerns about many moles or need a comprehensive, whole-body assessment, you may be better suited to a hospital or specialist dermatology clinic. Eden Skin Clinic

What if the report says my mole is suspicious?

If the dermatologist’s report suggests the mole is suspicious or needs further investigation:

• We will explain the findings to you

• You will be advised to contact your GP or relevant healthcare professional as soon as possible

• You can take the written report with you to support referral or further assessment

If you have any urgent symptoms (such as rapidly growing or bleeding lesions, feeling very unwell, or other worrying signs), you should seek urgent medical care – for example via your GP, NHS 111, or emergency services where appropriate.

Is the service safe and are my images secure?

Yes. Images are taken using medical-grade dermatoscopy equipment and uploaded via the Map My Mole app using secure, encrypted systems. Your images and personal details are stored and processed according to data protection and privacy requirements. mapmymole.com+1

Does this replace seeing my GP or a dermatologist?

No. This service is designed to complement, not replace, NHS or private medical care.

• If your mole appears benign, the report can offer reassurance.

• If any concern is identified, the report will advise you to seek further medical assessment, and we can help you understand what to do next.

If you’ve been told you need urgent medical help for a skin problem, please follow that advice rather than booking a pharmacy appointment.

How much does it cost?

The Mole Scanning Service is a private service, and there is a fee for each appointment.

• Check the price at the time of online booking, or

• Ask your local Dears Pharmacy team for current pricing and any offers.