Services We Provide

A full skin check is a 30-minute appointment with one of our Doctors and costs $195. During this time, your doctor will carefully examine your skin using a dermatoscope to look for any signs of melanoma or other skin cancers that may need attention. Where needed, digital photos and lesion mapping are also included to help track any areas of concern over time.

This service is available in 3 clinics: Omokoroa, Tauranga and Papamoa.

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What to Expect:

Before your appointment, please remove any makeup or nail polish (if applicable) so we can clearly see your skin.

At the start of your appointment, your doctor will chat with you about your medical and family history, as well as any sun or chemical exposure you may have had — especially if this is your first visit.

You’ll then be asked to remove some clothing (usually down to your underwear) so a full skin check can be done.

We have a private area for changing, and sheets are available if you’d like to keep covered while parts of your body are being checked.

You’re also welcome to bring a support person with you, and we have both male and female doctors available for bookings.

Once you’re ready, your doctor will perform a head-to-toe skin check, taking photos of any spots that need monitoring or mapping.

When the check is finished, you can get dressed again and your doctor will discuss their findings with you.

If any lesions require treatment, they’ll talk you through your options — which may include topical creams, biopsies, or surgical removals.

We use DermEngine for lesion mapping, which connects to a handy patient app called MoleScope, so you can keep track of your skin health too.

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Surgical Information:

If a surgical procedure is recommended, the cost will depend on the type of surgery, and the size and location of the area being treated.

You’ll receive an estimated quote and pre operative details at your initial appointment — so there are no unnecessary surprises.

Please note that surgery is not usually performed on the same day as your skin check.

All procedures are done under local anaesthetic, ensuring your comfort.

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Nurse - Full Skin Check

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In addition to doctor-led skin checks, we also offer a 45 minute full skin check with our qualified Dermoscopy Nurse Ida for $150.

This is only available in our Cherrywood Clinic and appointments are limited, please get in touch to book.

Nurse Ida holds an Advanced certificate in Dermatoscopy (for the diagnosis of skin cancer).

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Any lesions of concern that require further treatment will be followed up in one of our other clinics.

Your comfort and confidence are important to us — our nurse provides a thorough, professional, and caring approach to every skin check.

A lesion check is  a 15 minute appointment with one of our Doctors for $105.

This is perfect if you have 3 or less lesions of concern or a referral by your GP for a particular lesion.

During this appointment, your doctor will carefully examine the specific lesions using a dermatoscope.

The appointment includes digital photography and lesion mapping where needed, to ensure accurate monitoring and documentation.

This service is available in 3 clinics: Omokoroa, Tauranga and Papamoa.

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What to Expect

If applicable, please remove any makeup or nail polish covering the area before your appointment.

At the start of your visit, your doctor will have a brief discussion about the spots or lesions of concern, including any history or changes you may have noticed. You may be asked to remove a small amount of clothing to allow the area to be properly examined.

We provide a private changing area and sheets if you’d like to stay covered during your check.

You’re welcome to bring a support person, and we have both male and female doctors available upon request.

Your doctor will then assess and photograph the lesion(s) to track or map them as needed.

Once the examination is complete, your doctor will explain their findings and discuss any recommended next steps.

If further treatment is required, this may include topical creams, biopsies, or minor surgical removal.

We provide a number of surgical options in clinic for cancerous and non-cancerous lesions.

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The way we treat a skin lesion depends on its size, type, and location.

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Some smaller lesions can be removed using a shave or punch biopsy, which may involve a stitch or two.

Others are best treated with a simple surgical excision, where your doctor removes the lesion along with a small margin of normal skin to ensure the cancer cells are removed. Stitches are then placed, and you’ll return to see our nursing team for suture removal and follow-up care.

For larger lesions, a wider area of skin may need to be removed. In these cases, your doctor may use a skin graft or skin flap technique to help achieve the best cosmetic and functional result while removing the cancer cells. Our nursing team will see you again for change of dressing, suture removal and follow-up care.

The surgical cost covers up to 2 follow-up nursing appointments, more can be provided but may incur additional costs. 

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All surgical procedures are performed under local anaesthetic, keeping you comfortable and relaxed throughout your treatment.

Several non-surgical options exist for treating certain kinds of skin cancers and pre-cancerous lesions. 
​At Bay Skin Cancer Clinic, we can offer the following options: 

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PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY
This is a very effective way to treat certain pre-cancerous and superficial cancerous lesions.

A photosensitizing agent is applied to the skin for 60 minutes, followed by exposure to a light source. This activates the photosensitizing agent which is selectively absorbed into the abnormal cells, destroying the cancer cells.

This is only available in our Omokoroa clinic.

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EFUDIX CREAM
The most well-known topical treatment option. This intense cream works to bring damaged cells to the surface and remove them while preventing the further development of abnormal cells. Also fully funded on a prescription.

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IMIQUIMOD
A very well-established treatment option for certain pre-cancerous and superficial cancerous lesions. 
​This is fully funded and usually requires a 4 -6 week course. 
This works by activating the skin's inherent immune system to destroy the undamaged cells.

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CRYOTHERAPY - LIQUID NITROGEN
​We use liquid nitrogen for occasional treatment of non-cancerous lesions. Mostly when they are not on the face area. It is a well-proven treatment for certain lesions and is relatively cheap ($20 per lesion)

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NIACINAMIDE - B3

What are the ben­e­fits of tak­ing vit­a­min B3/nicoti­namide?
​Recent New Zealand research shows that nicotinamide, a form of Vitamin B3, may reduce the risk of non-melanoma skin cancers and sun damage (actinic keratosis). 
Vit­a­min B3 is an important nutrient needed by every part of your body to func­tion prop­er­ly. 
Taking 1g (500mg twice daily) for a year, has been shown to reduce the risk of non-melanoma skin cancers by up to 23%.
These can be purchased from us at either of our two clinics.