Dr Tatyana Lapa-Enright explores the expanding role of dermoscopy in dermatology and aesthetics
Dermoscopy is a non-invasive, painless examination technique that enhances the visualisation of subsurface skin structures, improving diagnostic accuracy for a wide range of dermatological conditions.1-4 Originally developed to distinguish between cancerous and benign melanocytic lesions, it has since evolved into a valuable diagnostic tool for inflammatory dermatoses, infections, hair and scalp disorders and conditions commonly encountered in medical aesthetics.1,2,5-8
High-quality evidence supports its diagnostic accuracy and safety benefits. A Cochrane systematic review by Dinnes et al. encompassing over 42,000 lesions, demonstrated that dermoscopy significantly increases both sensitivity and specificity for melanoma detection compared with visual inspection alone.9
This reduced missed melanomas and unnecessary excisions. Similarly, a meta-analysis confirmed that dermoscopy offers excellent diagnostic accuracy for basal cell carcinoma, with pooled sensitivity of…
