Table 1.

Guide to taking standardized photos for consumer‐based skin self‐examination

Virtual melanoma checks at home: a guide for patients to take standardized images
To provide an accurate diagnosis, the image needs to be high quality:
Use natural daylight, or a brightly lit space. Use a plain, neutral‐coloured background.
Remove any jewellery.
Move anything creating a shadow out of the way, including your hair.
If your photos are coming out blurry, ask another person to help you with photo taking, especially in hard‐to‐reach body locations.
Take two photos of each skin spot or mole.
The first photo is an overview image of the skin spot or mole. Hold the camera approximately 20 cm from the skin spot or mole. Point to the skin spot or mole if there are multiple skin spots visible in the photo. Move the camera until you have a clear photo, then hold the camera still and take the image.
The second photo is a dermoscopic image (if applicable). Dermoscopic images are magnified close‐up images. When using the dermatoscope place the lens directly contacting the skin.
When photographing the lesion hold the camera horizontally each time to ensure the same orientation.
Ensure the skin spot or mole is in the centre of the image.
Record the body location.
In the notes or comments section select any symptoms that may describe the skin spot or mole photographed such as:
change in size or shape;
more raised;
change in colour;
more than two colours;
itchy;
bleeding;
scaly or rough surface;
sore or painful;
duration of lesion.
Patients should provide a brief medical history including date of birth, sex, skin type and previous skin cancer history.