Is my mole malignant?

worth being screened every year or so. A confocal microscope can be used to examine moles for pre-cancerous or cancerous cells. The process is painfree and non-invasive, with instant results and no need to inject or cut skin when investigating suspicious cells.

Of course, not all skin conditions carry the same cancer risk and most can be cured or controlled. Eczema is treatable and often disappears, in time. And for acne, too, much can be done.

Dr Howard Stevens is founder of The Skincare Network (skincarenetwork. co.uk), which has clinics in Barnet and central London. It is the first clinic of its kind to use a confocal microscope