Modern technology enables dermatologists to look beneath the surface of the skin to better assess the nature of skin lesions in a non-invasive fashion. The dermatoscope is a device that enhances what your skin specialist can see when examining your skin. Dermoscopy is scientifically proven to increase the ability of a skilled clinician to correctly diagnose your condition. This in turn helps us discover potentially dangerous spots on your skin, and reduces biopsies of skin conditions that are not dangerous.
Dermoscopy is helpful in assessing many different types of skin conditions. All of the most common, and the most dangerous types of skin cancer, have signature features when viewed with a dermatoscope by an experienced professional. Use of a dermatoscope helps to locate skin cancers even when they are very small. Early detection leads to better outcomes, and lower risk of having a skin cancer that grows, or spreads to other parts of the body.
Dermoscopy is also very helpful in assessing other dermatological conditions such as diseases that affect the hair and scalp. At Kessel Dermatology, we see many patients with scalp conditions; some involve persistent rashes accompanied by itching and burning, others include the wide variety of alopecias, which are the different types of hair loss that people experience. Many types of alopecia cause scarring and permanent hair loss, so it is important to diagnose these early and treat them before irreversible hair loss occurs. Many of these conditions have characteristic dermoscopic appearances that help your clinician determine the correct diagnosis with greater accuracy.
Diagnosis of different conditions affecting the nails is also greatly aided by the use of dermoscopy. Diseases of the fingernails and the toenails, such as nail fungus, lichen planus, psoriasis, hemorrhages, growths, and cancer can often be distinguished with dermoscopy. Findings such a melanonychia, or stripes across your nail which are grey, brown, or black, can sometimes represent melanoma, a dangerous type of skin cancer. Dermoscopy is very helpful in distinguishing which types of nail findings are dangerous from those which are not worrisome.
Dr. Joshua Freedman, a dermatologist with a background in optical engineering, specializes in dermoscopy, and has been designing and building his own dermatoscopes for several years. He has won several regional and national dermatology awards for his innovations in this field, such as a first place in the University of Miami Annual Resident Research competition, and a first place in the Biersdorf Dermatology Resident of Distinction, a nationwide dermatology resident competition.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Freedman today to have your skin condition evaluated using the latest technology in dermoscopy.
Learn more about Dermoscopy at the following websites:
American Dermoscopy
International Dermoscopy Society
Dermoscopy.Org
Dermatology New Zealand
Dermoscopy Atlas