Miiskin has introduced automatic skin imaging, available in a consumer app, which will enable people to take full-body photographs of their own skin, at home, to make skin cancer self-examinations easier.

The new feature applies a combination of Apple's computer vision and augmented reality technologies to audibly and visually assist the user in taking photos alone and hands-free. The user places their phone on a desk or table and are then guided by the Siri voice to pose whilst the photographs are taken.

WHY IT MATTERS

Latest statistics based on the number of photographs taken on the Miiskin app reveal that only 15% of photographs taken on the app are of areas on a person’s back, despite it being an area that is often prone to skin cancer.

This app will enable those living alone or those who prefer not to have help from others, to easily capture pictures of all their body.

With over 70% of melanoma appearing as a new mark or mole on the skin, rather than as a change to an existing mole, this app will help people specifically watch out for new marks or moles, making it easier for people to detect changes to their skin early on and seek advice from their GP or specialist.

THE LARGER PICTURE

Last month, Miiskin was highlighted as one of the first skin checking apps listed on the EMIS App Library and also one of few select apps on NHS Apps Library. Only those that perform highly in the NHS Digital’s Digital Assessment Questions (DAQ) are listed in the EMIS App Library. Set up by AppScript®, all featured apps on the library are tested against key criteria, including: effectiveness, clinical safety, data protection, security, usability and accessibility, interoperability, and technical stability.

Miiskin is the first skin monitoring app to be recommended by GPs and has received 500,000 downloads globally, 65,000 in the UK.

The app does not try to diagnose skin cancer or tell users that they are at risk or not. People who spot changes are encouraged to seek advice from their GP or another medical professional.

ON THE RECORD

Jon Friis, founder and CEO of Miiskin, said: “This is the first time automatic skin imaging technology has been made available in a consumer app and means patients can take full-body photos of their own skin, in private, to create a digital record of how their skin is changing over time. The technology will make it easier for patients - particularly those who do not have anyone to help them capture photos.”