Boots UK is trialling a private Skin Scanning Service in 50 stores across the UK in conjunction with ScreenCancer, to help people gain a better understanding of, and a solution to, skin conditions. This service is the first of its kind available nationally via a high street pharmacy chain, the company says.

The service consists of a consultation with a pharmacist, who will scan the customer’s skin using a dermatoscopic imaging device and send the image to a ScreenCancer consultant dermatologist, together with the results of a questionnaire. A report is sent to the customer within two working days and includes a diagnosis of the skin condition, appropriate advice, suitable OTC product recommendations and, if necessary, a private prescription. 

Each 30-minute consultation costs £65 and most skin conditions – with the exception of those located on intimate areas of the body or any areas of the skin completely covered by hair or tattoos – are suitable to be scanned. The service is available for adults and children over two years old. 

Janky Raja, Boots pharmacist, said: “Some of the most common skin conditions can be relatively easy to identify and your local pharmacy team can often help advise you on how to treat them. If not, they can let you know when you might benefit from visiting your GP or a service such as the Skin Scanning Service at Boots where you will have access to a ScreenCancer consultant dermatologist.”