Mr. Onur Gilleard
Qualifications & Experience
Mr Onur Gilleard is a distinguished consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC specialist register. He previously held an NHS consultant post at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, specialising in skin cancer and microsurgical reconstruction. In 2021, Mr Gilleard transitioned from the NHS to dedicate himself fully to private practice, allowing him to focus exclusively on providing personalised, high-quality care to his patients. He is recognised as an expert in laser treatments, having conducted research and developed advanced treatment protocols using cutting-edge laser technology to optimise both clinical outcomes and cosmetic results.
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Sequential Digital Dermoscopy Imaging: Precision for Early Melanoma Detection
Sequential digital dermoscopy imaging (SDDI) establishes a critical baseline visual record for proactive skin cancer surveillance. This advanced technique captures high-resolution images of moles, enabling precise mole evolution tracking over time. By comparing current images against the initial baseline, subtle changes indicative of early melanoma can be identified, significantly improving detection accuracy. This systematic approach to sequential digital dermoscopy imaging is essential for individuals requiring diligent skin cancer surveillance, providing structured longitudinal monitoring and atypical mole follow-up.
London Skin Clinic provides consultant-led sequential digital dermoscopy imaging using FotoFinder® technology. Our GMC-registered consultant plastic surgeons ensure expert analysis and comprehensive skin cancer surveillance, delivering precise and authoritative care.
To explore your options, contact us to schedule your consultation. You can also reach us via: Schedule a Harley Street Mole Check
What is Sequential Digital Dermoscopy Imaging (SDDI)?
Sequential digital dermoscopy imaging captures high-magnification, cross-polarised images of individual moles (nevi) at regular intervals. These images are stored digitally and compared over time against baseline photographs. The purpose is to track a mole’s behaviour and identify structural or colour changes between appointments. This longitudinal monitoring differs from a single, static mole check, which provides only a snapshot in time.
Establishing Your Baseline Visual Record for Skin Health
The first SDDI session establishes your baseline visual record. This involves total body photography to map all significant moles, followed by high-resolution digital dermoscopy of specific lesions. This record is the reference point for all future skin cancer surveillance. Without this detailed map, detecting the evolution of a mole or the appearance of a new one is more challenging. The baseline enables long-term mole evolution tracking.
Why is a Baseline Visual Record Crucial for Early Melanoma Detection?
A baseline visual record detects change. Many early-stage melanomas manifest as subtle alterations in size, shape, or structure that are imperceptible to the naked eye, not as obvious warning signs. A high-resolution digital baseline allows a consultant to perform a side-by-side comparison of a mole’s appearance over time. This comparative imaging highlights minute changes that signify mole evolution, a key indicator of potential malignancy.
This approach to mole evolution tracking is critical for individuals with numerous or atypical moles, for whom identifying a single changing lesion is a clinical challenge. A baseline record makes this a structured, evidence-based process, enabling intervention before a lesion becomes clinically obvious or advanced.
The Limitations of Self-Examination and Traditional Visual Checks
Self-examination has limitations: it is difficult to monitor moles on areas like the back or scalp, and impossible to remember the microscopic details of every mole. Traditional visual checks by a clinician without comparative imaging rely on memory and subjective assessment. SDDI removes this subjectivity. The digital system provides objective data, flagging any degree of change for expert review. This technology is part of an annual skin cancer screening programme.
How Does FotoFinder® Technology Power Advanced Mole Mapping?
London Skin Clinic uses the FotoFinder Bodystudio ATBM® master system for SDDI mole mapping. This technology integrates automated total body photography with a video dermatoscope that captures images at up to 140x magnification. The system links each dermoscopic image to its location on the body map, creating an organised patient record. This ensures consistency across follow-up appointments, as the system guides the clinician to re-image the same lesions with identical lighting and magnification.
The software allows for a “ghost image” overlay, where a previous image is superimposed on the current one, making structural changes apparent.
AI-Powered Analysis: Enhancing Accuracy and Reducing Unnecessary Biopsies
The FotoFinder system includes an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm, the Moleanalyzer pro. This software assists the consultant by analysing the dermoscopic image for patterns associated with malignancy. It provides a risk score as a second opinion for the clinician. This AI support helps identify suspicious lesions that require biopsy and helps confirm the benign nature of stable moles, reducing unnecessary excisions. Research in the Annals of Oncology shows some AI algorithms have high accuracy in identifying melanoma from images.
The London Skin Clinic Difference: Consultant-Led SDDI for Unmatched Accuracy
The effectiveness of SDDI depends on the clinician’s expertise. At London Skin Clinic, every mole mapping session is performed and reviewed by a GMC-registered Consultant Plastic Surgeon, unlike services led by technicians or nurses. Our consultants, including Mr. Onur Gilleard and Prof. Jonny Herron, have years of specialised training in diagnosing and managing skin cancer within NHS trusts.
This expertise in skin oncology and reconstructive surgery ensures accurate interpretation of dermoscopic images. A consultant’s diagnostic acumen is essential for atypical mole follow-up, distinguishing between benign but unusual moles and those requiring intervention. This oversight ensures patient safety and diagnostic precision.
Why Expert Review by a Plastic Surgeon is Paramount for Your Skin Health
A plastic surgeon’s perspective integrates diagnostic skill with an understanding of surgical management. When a lesion is suspicious, our consultants formulate a plan for biopsy or excision. This integration of diagnosis and treatment planning is an expert-led pathway. The ability to interpret complex images is a skill from years of clinical practice that technology enhances but cannot replace. Learn more about how FotoFinder AI technology improves mole surveillance when guided by an expert.
What to Expect: Your Journey Through SDDI and Longitudinal Monitoring
Your initial SDDI appointment lasts 45 to 60 minutes and builds your baseline record for future longitudinal monitoring.
The frequency of follow-up sessions is determined by your personal risk profile, including family history, skin type, and the number of atypical moles. High-risk individuals are often recommended an annual review, while a review every two years may be sufficient for lower-risk patients. Your consultant will provide a personalised surveillance plan.
The SDDI Procedure: A Step-by-Step Guide to Your Mole Mapping Session
The session includes:
- Consultation: You will meet with the Consultant Plastic Surgeon to discuss your medical history, sun exposure history, and any specific moles of concern.
- Total Body Photography: You will undress to your underwear for a series of standardised, high-resolution photographs taken from different angles to create the body map.
- Dermoscopic Imaging: The consultant will use the digital dermatoscope to capture magnified images of individual moles. A contact fluid (similar to ultrasound gel) is used for clarity.
- Initial Review: The consultant will review the images with you, pointing out any lesions that require monitoring or immediate attention.
- Report and Plan: A digital record of your baseline map is created. You will receive a report and a clear plan for follow-up.
For a more detailed look at the clinical workflow, review our guide on the full-body mole mapping process.
Proactive Skin Health: Schedule Your Advanced Mole Mapping
A baseline visual record through SDDI is an effective action for proactive skin health management. This consultant-led service provides a structured, evidence-based approach to early melanoma detection. Tracking mole evolution with this technology helps identify potential issues at the earliest, most treatable stage. Establish your baseline at our clinics on Harley Street, St Albans, or Guildford.
To begin your skin cancer surveillance, Schedule a Harley Street Mole Check with one of our Consultant Plastic Surgeons.
Conclusion
A baseline visual record with sequential digital dermoscopy imaging is the standard for skin cancer surveillance. This process provides longitudinal monitoring, enabling the detection of subtle, early changes indicative of melanoma. The combination of FotoFinder® technology and the expert review of a GMC-registered Consultant Plastic Surgeon ensures diagnostic accuracy. This approach helps reduce unnecessary biopsies while improving early detection. For expert-led mole mapping in London, Hertfordshire, or Surrey, contact us to book your consultation. You can also Schedule a Harley Street Mole Check to establish your baseline record.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sequential digital dermoscopy imaging (SDDI)?
Sequential digital dermoscopy imaging is an advanced diagnostic process where high-magnification images of your moles are captured at regular intervals. These images are digitally stored and meticulously compared against your initial baseline record by a consultant. This method allows for the precise detection of subtle changes over time, which is crucial for early melanoma identification.
Why is a baseline record essential for digital mole monitoring?
The baseline visual record serves as the definitive reference point for all future mole comparisons during your follow-up appointments. Without this comprehensive initial map, it is extremely difficult to objectively identify mole evolution, a key warning sign of skin cancer. This baseline is the foundation of effective long-term surveillance.
How does sequential digital dermoscopy imaging improve melanoma detection?
Many early-stage melanomas exhibit changes that are invisible to the naked eye. By using sequential digital dermoscopy imaging, our consultants can digitally overlay new images onto your baseline photos, highlighting microscopic changes in structure, size, or colour. This objective, technology-assisted analysis significantly increases the accuracy of early detection compared to simple visual checks.
Who is the ideal candidate for sequential digital dermoscopy imaging?
This advanced surveillance is highly recommended for individuals with a higher risk of developing skin cancer, such as those with a family history of melanoma or numerous moles. For these patients, sequential digital dermoscopy imaging provides an essential layer of safety for proactive skin health management. It allows our consultants to track even minor changes that might otherwise be missed.
What technology does London Skin Clinic use for this advanced mole surveillance?
We utilize the state-of-the-art FotoFinder® system for our mole mapping and surveillance services. This technology captures exceptionally detailed total body photography and dermoscopic images, creating a precise baseline record. The system’s AI-powered software assists our consultants in identifying new or changing lesions during follow-up assessments.
How can I schedule a consultant-led mole check in London?
To begin the process and establish your baseline visual record, you can schedule a consultant-led mole check at our Harley Street clinic. Our comprehensive service includes full-body photography, dermoscopic imaging of individual moles, and an expert review. You can book your appointment online or contact our patient coordinator for assistance.
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