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Skin Cancer Screening and Dermatology · Kenilworth, Cape Town
Worried about a spot, or due for a check? Our dermatologists examine your skin, monitor your moles over time and treat skin cancer when it is found. Thoughtful, specialist care for every other skin, hair and nail condition too, for all ages.
How often you need a check depends on your skin type, your moles and your medical history. Your dermatologist will recommend the right interval for you. The general rule is to get your skin checked yearly, with more regular intervals as needed. Between visits, check your own skin once a month and come in sooner if a spot is new, changing, itching or bleeding.
Built on Dr Dagmar Whitaker's practice in Cape Town, in private practice since 1994, with a particular focus on skin cancer screening and prevention. Skinwise brings that experience into a growing team, with the same careful assessment and long-term patient relationships.
Dr Dagmar WhitakerDermatologist · skin cancer screening and prevention
You pay the practice on the day, then claim back from your medical aid.
Your statement carries the codes your scheme needs to process the claim. You can ask reception for the cost of a consultation or procedure before it is done.
Fees, forms and your first visit1 Wytham Avenue, Kenilworth 7708, Cape Town
Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 17:00 · Parking on site
About Skinwise
Skinwise exists so that anyone concerned about skin cancer, or wanting to prevent it, can see a dermatologist whose work is centred on exactly that.
We provide the full range of dermatology care you would expect from a specialist practice, but skin cancer prevention, detection and treatment sit at the heart of what we do.
Previously known as Cape Town Dermatologists.
Careful care. Honest answers. Clear action.
To sustain and build on a legacy of trusted dermatological care, protecting clinical expertise, decisive problem-solving and enduring patient relationships for the benefit of current and future patients.
We provide careful, honest and decisive dermatological care, with a particular interest in skin cancer and melanoma. We investigate concerns thoroughly, take responsibility for appropriate action and help patients take an active part in their long-term skin health.
To be an enduring, trusted dermatology practice in which clinical excellence, comprehensive care and meaningful patient relationships are sustained across generations of doctors and patients.
Candid, respectful advice. Risks and fees explained openly. Appropriate care ahead of commercial interests.
Thorough assessment, sound judgement, continued learning, and referral when it is right for you.
Acting on every concern and closing the loop: results followed up, actions completed, nothing left to memory.
Sustained effort from doctor and patient alike, with realistic plans and support when something gets in the way.
Regular, full skin checks with a dermatoscope, and mole mapping to compare your moles over time.
Assessment of any spot that is new, changing or worrying, with a biopsy in the rooms when it is needed.
Treatment and ongoing follow-up for people who have had melanoma, and close monitoring for those at higher risk.
Practical advice on sun protection and checking your own skin, so problems are caught early or avoided.
Other services: skin, hair and nail conditions for all ages, light therapy for psoriasis, photodynamic therapy and minor procedures, all in our own rooms.
See all our services
A dermatologist in practice since 1994, whose work centres on skin cancer, in her own rooms and in melanoma organisations at home and abroad.
SkinScan at the Cape Town Cycle Tour
Dr Whitaker is one of the originators of SkinScan, the Cape Town Cycle Tour's skin cancer screening for riders. It began in memory of Tim Brink, the former editor of Bicycling Magazine, who died of melanoma.
Instead of free checks for anyone who walks in, riders first complete an online risk questionnaire. Dermatologists then screen the riders most at risk at the Cycle Tour Expo: people who spend hours in the sun and are least likely to book a skin check.
She presented the programme at the Dermatology Society of South Africa congress in Durban in 2025.
Read about SkinScan
Skinwise is growing from one doctor's practice into a team.
More dermatologists will join the team over time. Your records, your follow-up and the team you know stay the same, so your care carries on as the practice grows.
We keep the things patients value: careful assessment, thoughtful follow-up, and a long-term relationship with the people who look after your skin.
Skinwise Dermatology
Skin cancer screening and prevention is the focus of the practice. We treat every other skin, hair and nail condition, for all ages, and everything below is done in our own rooms. Choose a service to see what it involves; your dermatologist will explain what suits you at your consultation.
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Our team can help with appointments, referrals and general enquiries. Not sure which service you need? Book a consultation and the dermatologist will explain the options before anything is done.
Our team
Specialist dermatologists, supported by a practice team you will get to know.
Dermatologist · MBChB, MMed · HPCSA MP 242799
Founder, Melanoma Society of South Africa · Vice President, World Melanoma Society · President, African Women in Dermatology Society South Africa
Particular interest in skin cancer screening and prevention.
Trained in medicine in Frankfurt, Germany, and in dermatology at Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital. In private practice in Cape Town since 1994.
Regular skin checks, monitoring moles over time and treating skin cancer early, alongside all areas of general dermatology, including light therapy for inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis, eczema and vitiligo, and photodynamic therapy as a non-surgical treatment option for skin cancer.
Dr Whitaker is known for her direct approach to treatment and for solving problems straight away. She believes in decisive action and in seeing each case through from start to finish, in good time. She does not hand cases on, and she takes action immediately.
Dermatologist · [Qualifications] · HPCSA [number]
[Her particular interest.]
[Training and background, in the same shape as Dr Whitaker's.] This card stays hidden until a new dermatologist is announced.
Before and after you see the dermatologist, these are the people who look after your bookings, forms, results and accounts.
Runs the practice day to day, so your account, your medical aid and the paperwork around your care are looked after.
Usually the first person you speak to. Books your appointment, takes you through the forms and lets you know when results are back.
Patient information
Your first appointment, fees and medical aid, the forms to fill in, and patient guides: short, plain-language explanations of skin conditions and treatments.
Fill in the form on the Contact us page, WhatsApp +27 82 846 5868, or email reception@skinwise.co.za. Reception will ask for your name and contact details.
Fill them in online from the Forms tab. They go straight to reception, so there is nothing to print.
Your ID, your medical aid number if you have one, and a list of the medicines and creams you use.
For a skin check, come without make-up or nail polish so the doctor can see your skin and nails.
You pay the practice on the day of your appointment, then claim back from your medical aid. How much your scheme refunds depends on your plan, so check with them before a procedure if cost is a concern. You receive a statement with the procedure and diagnosis codes your medical aid needs to process your claim. Payment is by credit card only.
Please give at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or move your appointment.
Your records are kept confidential and used only for your care and your account, as the Protection of Personal Information Act requires. For a copy of our PAIA manual, which explains what records we keep and how to request them, email reception@skinwise.co.za or ask at reception.
Only fill in these forms once you have a confirmed appointment. When you submit, they go straight to reception, so there is nothing to print or bring.
Your answers are sent securely and seen only by the practice team. If you cannot fill them in online, reception will help you on the day.
Short guides written by the practice, starting with how to protect your skin and spot skin cancer early. They explain conditions and treatments in general; your dermatologist advises on your own skin.
Articles
Dr Dagmar Whitaker has a longstanding interest in melanoma, skin cancer prevention, early detection and sun protection. She has contributed to both South African and international research, publications and clinical guidelines, working with dermatologists and skin cancer experts from around the world.
Her recent work includes contributions to an international review of cutaneous melanoma published in Nature Reviews Disease Primers, as well as international expert publications on skin cancer prevention and protection from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In South Africa, Dr Whitaker has contributed to the development of clinical guidance on the diagnosis and management of melanoma, as well as national recommendations for sun protection and skin cancer prevention. Her earlier academic work also includes research into chronic hand dermatitis and participation in the development of South African clinical guidelines for psoriasis.
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Dr Whitaker's involvement in melanoma research, clinical guidelines and international expert collaborations reflects her commitment to providing evidence-based dermatological care, with a particular focus on the early detection, prevention and management of skin cancer.
Looking for practical advice? The patient guides on Patient information explain conditions and treatments in plain language.
Contact us
The quickest way to reach us is on WhatsApp. Use the form for anything that can wait a day.