Augmented reality mole sizing feature launched by Miiskin

Digital health app Miiskin, which helps people track changes to their skin including existing and new moles, has launched a new mole sizing feature, allowing patients to check if their moles have changed size through augmented reality.

With 80% of melanomas appearing as new marks or moles, dermatologists believe that individuals are the first to notice signs of skin cancer on themselves more than half the time, so skin self-examinations are vital in early detection. 

During skin self-examinations, size and changes in the appearance of moles are essential elements to evaluate when looking for potential signs of melanoma. However, subtle changes in size may not be noticeable to the naked eye, or when the mole is in a hard-to-reach area.

Miiskin’s mole sizing feature requires users to photograph their mole next to a reference object such as a coin to measure and record the lesion’s size. This helps users identify two of the five signs of the ABCDE tracker, a system recommended by doctors.

The app’s measurement capabilities allow users to identify when a mole meets the threshold for “D”- a mole 6mm in diameter. Users can also capture images of moles, including size, and monitor changes to shape and colour over time. In this way, the user can see if the mole evolves, which is the warning sign “E”.

Jon Friis, founder and CEO of Miiskin, said: “This kind of technology has never been openly available for the public to use themselves until now.

“We’ve combined the latest in Apple’s machine learning, computer vision and augmented reality technology to bring this to patients directly to support them even further with self-examination of their skin, a crucial process in detecting skin cancer early.”

Miiskin works with the British Skin Foundation to help raise awareness of the importance of self-examination of the skin.

Dr Anton Alexandroff, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson, said: “Bringing this kind of technology to patients will really help them with their skin examination process. It not only helps to raise awareness of the importance of self-examination but helps them to identify key factors to look for when checking their skin.”

Zuzana Kokes, 37 from London uses the Miiskin app to track her skin after being diagnosed with melanoma. 

She said: “I get very stressed knowing that I’m at high risk of getting melanoma again and I know how quickly it can spread, but Miiskin really does reassure me. Since my first procedure, I’ve had about six other moles removed. Some of these were discovered through Miiskin as I had photographic evidence of them changing in size and colour.

“My husband Peter helps me to take photos of my moles and he measures the dimensions of them. The new mole sizing feature on the app is a really helpful addition and will make the app even easier to use.”

ORCHA, the organisation responsible for testing, reviewing and evaluating digital health apps for the NHS, recently rated Miiskin as one of the top five apps out of a total of 3603, to use best practice.