Early detection is critical in skin cancer care, and total body photography plays a vital role in monitoring patients over time. As technology advances, so does the way clinicians capture and analyze the skin. What was once a slow, manual process using 2D imaging has now evolved into a faster, more precise 3D experience with the latest OptimaScan. This is reshaping how total body photography is performed and redefining the standard of care.

Total Body Photography

Total body photography (TBP) has been a cornerstone of skin cancer surveillance, particularly for patients at high risk of melanoma or those with numerous or atypical moles. By creating a visual baseline of the patient’s skin, clinicians can monitor changes over time, detect new lesions earlier, and improve diagnostic accuracy.

Traditionally, total body photography was performed using 2D imaging systems, such as OptimaLight. This process required capturing dozens of individual photographs from fixed angles, carefully positioning the patient for each image. While effective, the workflow was time-consuming, highly manual, and dependent on precise consistency between sessions. A single TBP session could take multiple minutes—from image capture to review—placing strain on clinic resources and limiting scalability.

OptimaScan Revolutionized for 3D Imaging

OptimaScan represents a transformative shift in how total body photography is performed. Instead of relying on static 2D images, OptimaScan introduces true 3D total body imaging through a rendering of patient images to create a 3D model. 

• 360-degree rotating imaging arm

• Stable platform base
• Standardized imaging poses 
  

During a scan, OptimaScan smoothly rotates around the patient, capturing high-resolution images from every angle in a matter of seconds. These images are then automatically stitched together to construct a precise 3D model of the patient's body. This model serves as a dynamic, interactive map of the skin, allowing clinicians to visualize, track, and analyze lesions with unprecedented clarity.

Once the 3D model is created, the system can scan the entire body surface for lesions or on the 2D images, enabling faster identification of new or changing spots over time. Unlike 2D photography, where lesions may be missed due to angle changes or inconsistent positioning, 3D imaging ensures complete coverage and reproducibility between visits.

Practical 3D imaging: What it Looks Like in Real-Life

For the patient, the experience is faster, more comfortable, and reassuring. For the clinic, it means higher throughput, consistent documentation, and a new standard of care in skin surveillance. Take this example from the Braddon Skin Cancer Clinic, who have experience using both the OptimaLight system and now has adopted to the new OptimaScan.  

Conclusion

The evolution of total body photography from 2D imaging to advanced 3D technology marks a pivotal moment in dermatologic care. While systems like OptimaLight laid the groundwork for effective skin monitoring, OptimaScan elevates the process by delivering speed, precision, and consistency that were previously unattainable. OptimaScan empowers clinicians to focus on what matters most—early detection, informed decision-making, and better patient outcomes. As skin cancer rates continue to rise and demand for efficient care grows, 3D total body imaging with OptimaScan sets a new benchmark for modern, scalable, and patient-centered dermatology.

-The MetaOptima Team

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