What Is a Dermascope?

Author

Dr. Stephen Cosentino

Trained medical professionals can learn a lot from a close view of the skin. But even they need some help.

That’s where a dermascope comes in. Also known as a dermoscope or dermatoscope, a dermascope is one of the most important visual aids for skin examination. (Note: This is not to be confused with DERMASCOPE Magazine, the official publication of Aesthetics International Association.)

Dermatologists and other medical professionals use dermascopes in a variety of skin surface microscopy applications:

Diagnosing melanoma and other forms of skin cancer
Evaluating other types of pigmented skin lesions
Examining other visible parts of the body, including the hair, scalp, and nails
Before performing minimally invasive cosmetic procedures like injecting Botox or dermal fillers

Whether you’re an aspiring skin care professional or a patient wondering what to expect from your next examination, you should know how dermascopes work and why they’re so useful.

What Is a Dermascope?

A dermascope is a handheld tool that dermatologists and other medical professionals use to inspect skin lesions. It can help diagnose many skin diseases and conditions, though a biopsy (a minimally invasive sampling procedure) is often required to confirm the provider’s diagnosis.

Proper dermascope use is a basic component of dermatology training for medical and aesthetic professionals. The practice of using a dermascope to identify and diagnose skin conditions is known as dermoscopy.

How Dermascopes Work

You can think of a dermascope as a high quality magnifying glass, at least in part.

Unlike traditional magnifying glasses, which magnify by a factor of 2x or 3x beyond what the naked eye can perceive, medical-grade dermascopes magnify by a factor of 10x. That’s about where microscope lenses begin.

A dermascope is more than a magnifying glass though. It uses a special light wavelength to illuminate surfaces in a way that reduces glare and refraction, allowing for more detailed examination than a simple lens. Newer dermascopes also have photographic capabilities. They can take very detailed pictures as they go.

What Happens During a Dermascope Examination

Skin surface microscopy is a noninvasive procedure that can be completed in a medical office setting and often takes just a few minutes (or less).

To start, the provider or an assistant may apply water or gel to the examination area. This heightens visual contrast and can make the dermascope easier to operate.

The provider then moves the dermascope around the examination area. They may pause to inspect specific areas and may shine the dermascope’s light to help them see. They may take pictures as they go. The dermascope itself won’t take any skin or tissue samples.

What Happens After a Dermascope Examination

After a dermascope examination, the provider analyzes the results, reports back to the patient, and develops a treatment plan if appropriate.

When the examination reveals nothing of concern or the concern is not something that warrants further treatment, this can be a quick process. The provider may simply advise the patient to monitor the area and send them on their way.

Often, however, the provider determines that further investigation is warranted. They might take a biopsy or other type of tissue sample to check for abnormal cells, which could indicate a cancerous growth. If confirmed, the next step is a treatment plan, which may involve resection (removal) and chemotherapy or radiation treatment.