About this procedure
Dermoscopy uses a lighted optical instrument to examine skin at magnification. It reveals patterns and structures that cannot be seen easily with the naked eye and may improve the assessment of pigmented and some nonpigmented lesions. It is noninvasive and normally requires little or no special preparation.
Possible causes and features
Reasons for dermoscopy include a new mole, changes in the shape or color of an existing lesion, unexplained itching or bleeding, or the need to assess multiple moles. Not every suspicious feature means cancer, and not every mole needs removal.
The clinician asks when the lesion appeared and how it has changed, examines the surrounding skin and assesses pigmentation patterns, symmetry, blood vessels and other features through the dermatoscope. Clinical history and specialist judgment are essential to interpreting these findings.
Clinical assessment and next steps
Depending on the result, the clinician may recommend monitoring, photographic documentation or a specialized diagnostic pathway. Dermoscopy does not replace histological analysis when tissue examination is necessary to establish a diagnosis.
Having a dermoscopic examination does not mean an immediate procedure or automatic mole removal. Any further intervention, its availability and its cost must be considered separately according to medical indications.
Related topics: Changing mole; Dark spots and melasma.
Signs and symptoms
- A new or changing mole or another skin lesion.
- Uneven color, an irregular outline or bleeding without injury.
- Multiple skin lesions requiring clinical evaluation.
Diagnosis and tests
Magnified dermoscopic features supplement the direct skin examination. They help determine whether monitoring or further verification is appropriate but are not, by themselves, a histological diagnosis.
Care and treatment approaches
Dermoscopy is an examination, not a treatment. The dermatologist may recommend follow-up, photos or specialist investigation. Removal is not automatic, and the cost of another procedure is separate.
When to seek urgent care
Show rapidly changing or unexplained bleeding skin lesions to a clinician promptly. Call 103 in Ukraine for uncontrollable bleeding or a life-threatening emergency; ordinary scheduled dermoscopy does not require an ambulance.
Frequently asked questions
Does dermoscopy hurt?
No. It is usually a painless examination that does not cut or puncture the skin.
Can it rule out skin cancer with certainty?
It improves assessment, but some findings require histological examination to make a definitive diagnosis.
Can a mole be removed at the same visit?
Any intervention is considered separately according to clinical indications and whether the relevant service is available.
Important information
A medical consultation is needed for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
Self-treatment can be harmful to your health.
