Skin cancer is a year-round issue. More than 300 New Zealanders die from Skin Cancer every year. See below to find out active ways to protect yourself against the danger of developing skin cancer.

At Moorhouse Medical Centre, you can see GPs with special interest in skin conditions, minor skin surgery and specialised training in “MoleMate” dermoscopy services include assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of various skin conditions.

Procedures

The following skin health and other surgical procedures are available – please ask your doctor if a procedure is suitable for you. Your doctor will refer you to our in-house Minor Surgery Clinic which is held every Wednesday.

All services

MoleMate appointment – Full body skin check and dermoscope examination of two or more moles. Allow 30 minutes for this appointment.

DermMate appointment – Dermoscope examination of a single mole. Takes only 15 minutes. If a particular mole is worrying you. This is an excellent option for having it checked so you can have peace of mind.

  • Skin Lesion Excision (including mole removal)
  • Excision Biopsy
  • Punch Biopsy
  • Excision of sebaceous cysts and abscesses
  • Joint / Steroid injection
  • Vasectomy
  • Keloid Scar Treatment
  • Toenail wedge resection (ingrown mole removal (ingrown toenail removal)

Mole Mate TM

Are you worried that sun exposure or sunburn has damaged your skin? Have you got some moles that need to be checked. The skin is the largest organ in the human body. Just like other major organs, your skin needs to be cared for: This includes receiving skin checks and advice from your GP.

Mole Mate TM is the latest technological advance in dermoscopy. It uses a Siascope- dermal imaging equipment which enables the doctor to examine a skin lesion or mole in several high-definition views and cross sections, to the depth of 2mm below the skins surface. It has proven to be highly effective in assisting doctors to detect and diagnose skin cancers and reassure patients whose moles are not suspicious. The use of MoleMate TM technology reduces the need for costly and time-consuming skin excisions of harmless lesions.

Skin Lesion Excisions (including mole removal)

The doctor will advise you about the best treatment options for skin lesions and moles.

For benign and harmless lesions and moles, treatment options include cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen) biopsy or removal of excision – usually for cosmetic reasons.

For any suspicious or underdetermined lesions or moles, a skin biopsy or excision is usually recommended, so a soft tissue sample can be taken and sent to the laboratory to check for the presence of skin cancer. Local anaesthetic is provided for skin excision procedure to minimise pain and discomfort.

Excision Biopsy

An excision biopsy is when the entire skin lesion is removed and subsequently sent to the laboratory for testing. The intension of an excision biopsy is to remove all suspicious cells of a lesion in the single procedure.

You will need a consultation with a doctor prior to any surgical procedure. Fees will apply.

The Minor Surgery Clinic is located on the first floor at Moorhouse Medical Centre. Make an appointment for your annual check today.

Specialist Skin Check Appointments

Our skin check appointments take 30 minutes so please be sure to tell the receptionist when you book a skin check.

Skin cancer is a year-round issue.

More than 300 New Zealanders die from skin cancer every year.

Book a minor surgery appointment

Are you at risk?

Some people are more at risk of developing skin cancer than others. Risk factors include:

  • Having fair skin that burns easily.
  • Having a lot of freckles and moles
  • Being aged 50 or over
  • Intense exposure to the sun e.g. sunbathing, working outdoors.
  • Having had skin cancer in the past
  • Having a close relative who has had melanoma.
  • Having a compromised immune system

What can you do?

Here are some of the ways you can protect yourself against the danger of developing skin cancer.

  • Avoiding being in the sun between the peak UV radiation periods of 10 am to 3pm. And remember you are still at risk of sunburn and skin cancer on a cooler or cloudy day.
  • Seek shade and wear clothing that covers your shoulders arms and legs.
  • Wear broad-brimmed hat that shades your face, neck, and ears.
  • Apply SPF 30+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen at least every 2 hours.
  • Wear wraparound sunglasses.
  • Avoid sunbeds: they emit UV radiation so are not a safe option be getting a tan. A fake tan or spray tan is the way to go.
  • Get to know your own skin, check regularly for changes to moles or new moles.
  • Get relatives or friends to help you check. Visit a skin doctor each year.

Our Skin Health Team

Our Skin Health Team

We have in-house doctors who have specialist training in Dermoscopy (examination of skin lesions with, magnification device) which helps them identifying Benign (non-cancerous) from malignant lesions.