Frequently Asked Questions
General Dermoscopy Questions
What is dermoscopy?
Dermoscopy (also called dermatoscopy or epiluminescence microscopy) is a non-invasive skin imaging technique that uses magnification and specialized lighting — including polarized light — to visualize subsurface skin structures not visible to the naked eye. It is widely used to evaluate pigmented lesions, vascular lesions, hair and scalp disorders, inflammatory skin conditions, and nail abnormalities. Dermoscopy is considered standard of care in dermatology and is increasingly adopted across primary care, PA/NP practice, and teledermatology due to technological advances enabling high quality optical resolution at more affordable price points.
What is a dermatoscope?
A dermatoscope (also called a dermoscope or epiluminescence device) is a handheld medical instrument that combines optical magnification with polarized or non-polarized LED illumination to allow clinicians to examine skin lesions in detail beyond what is visible to the naked eye. Dermatoscopes range from basic handheld optical models to smartphone-compatible devices, to complicated, high-magnification systems with digital image capture. The SkinLens is a smartphone-compatible dermatoscope with both cross-polarized and non-polarized illumination, designed for everyday clinical use.
Who uses dermoscopy devices?
Dermoscopy is used across a broad range of clinical settings and specialties, including:
- Dermatologists and dermatology residents
- Physician Assistants (PAs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
- Primary care physicians (family medicine and internal medicine)
- Plastic surgeons and Mohs surgeons
- Podiatrists (nail and acral lesion evaluation)
- Teledermatology providers
- Medical, PA, and NP programs and training institutions
What conditions can dermoscopy help diagnose?
Dermoscopy supports the evaluation of a wide range of dermatologic conditions:
- Melanoma and atypical melanocytic lesions
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
- Actinic keratosis (AK)
- Common and dysplastic nevi
- Benign lesions: seborrheic keratosis, hemangioma, dermatofibroma, etc.
- Hair and scalp disorders (trichoscopy): alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, tinea capitis
- Nail disorders: subungual hematoma vs. nail apparatus melanoma
- Inflammatory skin diseases: psoriasis, lichen planus
Is dermoscopy only for dermatologists?
No. While dermoscopy originated in dermatology, it is increasingly used by primary care physicians, PAs, NPs, and other clinicians to improve skin lesion triage before referral. A 2024 Mayo Clinic study demonstrated that after focused dermoscopy training, primary care providers reduced inappropriate biopsies and referrals of benign lesions from 58.9% to 22.9% — a meaningful improvement in patient care and resource utilization. Access to an affordable, user-friendly device is the most common barrier to adoption in non-dermatology settings, followed closely by guided education in using a dermatoscope.
Impact of Dermoscopy Training on Diagnostic Accuracy. PMC11536482. 2024.
SkinLens was designed specifically with this access problem in mind — built by dermatology residents who understand how empowered PAs, NPs, and primary care physicians can help alleviate the long wait times patients face trying to reach a dermatologist.
Device Features and Functionality
What is the difference between polarized and non-polarized dermoscopy?
SkinLens supports both imaging modes, giving clinicians flexibility for different clinical situations:
- Cross-polarized mode: Uses cross-polarized LEDs to visualize deeper dermal structures — including regression structures, vascular patterns, and subsurface pigmentation — without contact fluid. The SkinLens features 24 cross-polarized white LEDs across three brightness settings for precise illumination control.
- Non-polarized mode: Activates 6 additional non-polarized white LEDs, ideal for visualizing superficial epidermal structures such as milia-like cysts and comedone-like openings, and for general illumination of larger skin areas. Can be used with or without immersion fluid.
Variable brightness control across both modes is a practical advantage for evaluating lesions in different skin tones, lighting environments, and body sites.
Does SkinLens require skin contact?
SkinLens supports both contact and non-contact dermoscopy. It includes a retractable and removable glass contact plate (with a 10 mm ruler). For contact dermoscopy, extend the contact plate using the Focusing Dial. For non-contact dermoscopy, remove the contact plate entirely. The option to switch between modes in the same device — without purchasing separate attachments — is one of the practical advantages of the SkinLens design.
What magnification does SkinLens provide?
SkinLens provides 10x optical magnification via a 25 mm achromatic lens with anti-glare coating. The lens delivers 300 LP/MM resolution on-axis and 250 LP/MM at the edge — the same magnification standard used in clinical dermoscopy research and practice. In fact, any higher magnification is generally not beneficial for optical dermoscopy and can reduce the field of view, making pattern recognition more difficult.
Why does the SkinLens have variable LED brightness?
SkinLens provides three brightness settings for cross-polarized mode (6, 18, or 24 LEDs) to accommodate real-world variability: highly pigmented lesions, darker skin tones, or difficult anatomic sites may benefit from brighter illumination, while sensitive periorbital or mucosal-adjacent areas may require lower light intensity. Variable brightness also extends battery life during lighter-use sessions.
Imaging & Documentation
Can SkinLens capture photos?
Yes. SkinLens includes a magnetic eyepiece plate and mobile device adapter, allowing direct attachment to any smartphone. Clinicians can use their native camera app or any clinical imaging application to capture, store, and share dermoscopic images for documentation, serial monitoring, or remote consultation.
Is SkinLens compatible with smartphones?
Yes. The included adapter features an adjustable clamp compatible with virtually any modern smartphone. Attach the adapter to your phone, center the viewing port over your primary camera lens, tighten the Magnetic Eyepiece Plate onto the adapter, and affix it magnetically to your SkinLens. When properly aligned, the magnetic connection supports the full weight of the device hands-free. No proprietary app is required — your phone's existing camera works immediately.
Can dermoscopic images be used for teledermatology?
Yes. Dermoscopy-quality images captured via smartphone have been validated for use in store-and-forward teledermatology and remote consultation. SkinLens produces high-resolution clinical images suitable for sharing with consulting dermatologists, multidisciplinary teams, or AI-assisted lesion analysis platforms. This is particularly valuable in primary care, rural practice, and PA/NP settings where specialist access may be limited.
Does SkinLens integrate with EMR or dermoscopy software?
Images captured on your smartphone can be uploaded to any imaging platform, practice management system, or EMR that accepts standard photo files (JPG/PNG). Because the SkinLens uses your existing smartphone as the imaging device, there is no proprietary software lock-in and no additional subscription required. Integration with clinic workflows is straightforward: photograph, save to camera roll, upload.
Clinical Evidence and Workflow
Can dermoscopy improve melanoma detection?
Yes. Multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses confirm that dermoscopy significantly improves melanoma detection compared to naked-eye examination. A landmark 2018 Cochrane meta-analysis of 104 studies (42,788 lesions) found that adding dermoscopy to visual inspection increased predicted melanoma sensitivity by 16 percentage points at a fixed specificity of 80% — from 76% with naked eye to 92% with dermoscopy.
Dinnes J, et al. Dermoscopy, with and without visual inspection, for diagnosing melanoma in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;12:CD011902.
A meta-analysis by Vestergaard et al. (2008) found average melanoma sensitivity of 74% with naked-eye versus 90% with dermoscopy — without a decrease in specificity — yielding a diagnostic odds ratio of 15.6. This magnitude of improvement is rarely seen with a single diagnostic tool in any field of medicine.
Vestergaard ME, et al. Dermoscopy compared with naked eye examination for the diagnosis of primary melanoma. Br J Dermatol. 2008;159(3):669-676.
Can dermoscopy reduce unnecessary biopsies?
Yes. Dermoscopy consistently improves the benign-to-malignant biopsy ratio (BMR) — the number of benign lesions excised for every melanoma correctly identified. Marghoob et al. found dermoscopy reduces this ratio from 15:1 down to approximately 5:1, while enabling detection at earlier disease stages.
Marghoob AA, et al. Usefulness of dermoscopy to improve the clinical and histopathologic diagnosis of skin cancers. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80(2):365-377.
A randomized controlled trial by Carli et al. showed a BMR improvement from 18:1 to 4.3:1 (p=0.037) after dermoscopy adoption, with no loss of melanoma detection. A separate RCT found that dermoscopy-guided evaluations resulted in biopsy or excision in only 9% of cases, compared to 15.6% with naked-eye examination (p=0.013).
Carli P, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004. Cited in: Enhancing Skin Cancer Diagnosis with Dermoscopy. PMC5659633.
Clinical note: Every unnecessary biopsy carries costs — procedural time, pathology fees, patient anxiety, and scarring. Dermoscopy is one of the few tools proven to reduce all of these simultaneously while improving cancer detection.
Can dermoscopy detect basal cell carcinoma (BCC)?
Yes. A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis by Reiter et al. (17 studies, 9,747 lesions) found pooled dermoscopy sensitivity and specificity for BCC of 91.2% and 95%, respectively. Adding dermoscopy to naked-eye examination improved BCC sensitivity from 67% to 85% across five trials.
Reiter O, et al. The diagnostic accuracy of dermoscopy for basal cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80(5):1380-1388.
How long does it take to learn dermoscopy?
Basic triage competency — distinguishing lesions requiring referral or biopsy from clearly benign findings — can be achieved with a single focused training course. A 2024 Mayo Clinic study showed that after attending a TADA (Triage Amalgamated Dermoscopic Algorithm) workshop, primary care providers reduced inappropriate biopsy and referral of benign lesions from 58.9% to 22.9% at one year of follow-up. Advanced pattern analysis and subspecialty applications (trichoscopy, nail dermoscopy) build with clinical experience over time.
Impact of Dermoscopy Training on Diagnostic Accuracy. PMC11536482. 2024.
Each SkinLens device provides access to a free educational resource developed by dermatologists to provide basic competency in dermoscopy. Institutional customers can inquire about full curriculum support, which SkinLens provides as an additional service.
Is dermoscopy useful in primary care?
Yes, and its adoption in primary care is growing. Dermoscopy allows primary care providers to more confidently triage skin lesions — reducing unnecessary dermatology referrals for clearly benign findings while appropriately escalating higher-risk lesions. In areas with limited dermatology access, this capability directly improves patient outcomes and system efficiency. Studies show meaningful improvement in diagnostic accuracy among family physicians and internists after even brief dermoscopy training.
Herschorn A. Dermoscopy for melanoma detection in family practice. Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE). 2012.
Can SkinLens be used for nail evaluation?
Yes. Dermoscopy is used for nail unit evaluation, including differentiating subungual hematomas from nail-based melanomas, evaluating melanonychia, and assessing nail changes in psoriasis, lichen planus, and onychomycosis. SkinLens supports both contact and non-contact evaluation of the nail plate and periungual skin.
Hardware & Technical Specifications
What is included with each SkinLens?
Every SkinLens order includes:
- SkinLens dermatoscope (aluminum and glass body)
- Mobile device adapter (universal adjustable clamp)
- Magnetic eyepiece plate
- USB-C to USB-C charging cable
- Lens cleaning cloth
- Carrying case
- Onboarding support
What are SkinLens' technical specifications?
- Material: Aluminum & Glass
- Optical Design: 3 glass elements, 2 groups, anti-glare coating
- Lens Diameter: 25 mm (5% distortion) *delete
- Magnification: 10x
- Illumination: 24 cross-polarized white LEDs, 6 non-polarized white LEDs
- Resolution: 300 LP/MM (axis), 250 LP/MM (edge)
- LED Type: SMD LED beads
- Battery: 1000mAh lithium ion (USB-C, 5V)
- Working Time: 3-6 hours per charge
- Auto-off: 3 minutes of inactivity
- Battery Indicator: Green = charged; Red = <25% remaining or charging
- Charging time: Plug into any compliant 5V USB port
What is the battery life?
The SkinLens provides 3-6 hours of continuous use per charge — sufficient for a full week of skin examinations. The battery charge cycle lifetime is up to three years under normal use. When capacity diminishes, replacement batteries are available directly through SkinLens at www.skin-lens.com. The device auto-powers off after 3 minutes of inactivity to conserve charge between patients.
How do I charge my SkinLens?
Connect the included USB-C to USB-C cable to the Charging Port on the bottom of the device and any compliant 5V USB power source (wall adapter, laptop, or USB hub). The Battery Indicator illuminates red during charging and turns green when fully charged. Charge fully before first use.
How do I clean and disinfect my SkinLens?
SkinLens is engineered for routine clinical disinfection with standard in-office products:
- Exterior chassis: Wipe with 70% isopropyl alcohol before and after each use.
- Contact plate: Disinfect with 70% isopropyl alcohol after each patient contact. The contact plate is removable for easy access.
- Optical lens and magnifier: Use standard photographic lens cleaning cloth only. Do not apply alcohol directly to optical surfaces.
- Do not autoclave, steam sterilize, immerse in liquid, or use ultrasonic cleaners.
How durable is SkinLens for daily clinic use?
SkinLens' body is constructed from aluminum and glass — the same material class used in precision optical instruments — for durability appropriate to daily clinical use. The battery is rated for up to three years of charge cycles. The magnetic eyepiece connection is designed to support the full weight of the device during smartphone-attached imaging. For any device concerns, contact info@skin-lens.com; defective units are covered under the three-year warranty.
Regulatory & Safety
Is SkinLens FDA cleared?
Yes. The SkinLens dermatoscope is FDA cleared as a medical device — classified as a medical examination light (epiluminescence microscope) for non-invasive visual inspection of intact skin by qualified medical professionals. It meets the EMC Emissions and Immunity requirements of IEC 60601-1-2:2014 and is rated CISPR 11 Class B, suitable for both professional healthcare and residential environments.
Is dermoscopy safe for patients?
Yes. Dermoscopy uses visible LED light only and is completely non-invasive. There is no ionizing radiation, no tissue penetration, and no patient preparation required for non-contact dermoscopy. SkinLens is designed for external examination of intact skin and is not intended for ophthalmology, mucous membranes, or internal body cavities.
Purchasing
Why is the SkinLens more affordable than other dermatoscopes?
Most dermatoscopes are priced between $500 and $1,800 or more — a range that reflects legacy distribution models, high overhead, and brand premiums. SkinLens was built from the ground up by clinicians with a single objective: deliver FDA-cleared, high-quality dermoscopy to clinicians and programs that have historically been priced out. By focusing on what actually matters clinically — optical clarity, dual illumination, smartphone compatibility, and durability — and eliminating unnecessary complexity, we can offer a device at a price that makes dermoscopy accessible.
How does SkinLens' image quality compare?
SkinLens uses a 25 mm, 3-element achromatic glass optical system with anti-glare coating, achieving 300 LP/MM on-axis resolution — the same optical magnification (10x) and lens quality tier used in professional dermatoscopes across the industry. Clinicians who have used the SkinLens alongside premium devices consistently describe image clarity as equivalent for the clinical decision-making they need.
Will the SkinLens replace my current dermatoscope?
For clinicians who already own a dermatoscope, SkinLens is frequently adopted as a dedicated smartphone imaging companion — enabling photo documentation without switching devices — or as a second scope for a PA or NP working in the same clinic. For clinicians purchasing a first device, the SkinLens is designed as a full primary dermatoscope, not a budget compromise. Many institutional customers purchase SkinLens in sets precisely because it provides the clinical performance needed at a price that makes equipping an entire team feasible.
What if the device isn't right for me?
SkinLens offers a 14-day return window from the date of delivery for unused, undamaged devices in original packaging with all accessories included. Because this is a medical device, returns cannot be accepted once the device has been used in a clinical setting. Defective or damaged-on-arrival units are fully covered and replaced at no cost. For any concerns after receipt, contact info@skin-lens.com.
Do you offer bulk or institutional pricing?
Yes. SkinLens offers institutional pricing for PA/NP programs, medical schools, residency programs, multi-site dermatology practices, and health systems. Institutional orders include the mobile device adapter and onboarding support with every unit. Contact info@skin-lens.com with your institution name and estimated quantity for pricing.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. International shipping rates are available on checkout through our Shopify page. Please contact info@skin-lens.com if you have questions regarding international shipping availability and any applicable import duties or regional regulatory requirements.
What is included with purchase?
Every SkinLens ships with: the SkinLens dermatoscope, mobile device adapter, magnetic eyepiece plate, USB-C charging cable, lens cleaning cloth, and carrying case — everything required to begin clinical use immediately.
Support & Training
Who designed SkinLens?
SkinLens was co-founded by dermatology residents at the University of Miami who use dermoscopy in clinical practice daily. The device was built because the existing options were either too expensive for most programs and clinicians, too cumbersome for smartphone imaging, or both. Having the device designed and used by clinicians who teach dermoscopy — rather than engineers or investors — means the decisions made about optics, illumination control, and workflow integration reflect real clinical priorities.
Is training provided with the purchase?
Yes. Every SkinLens order includes access to an introductory educational curriculum. For institutional customers — PA/NP programs, residency programs, and multi-site practices — additional curriculum resources are available, developed by SkinLens co-founders who have formal experience teaching dermoscopy. Contact info@skin-lens.com to learn more about educational support for your program.
What technical support is available?
For device setup, troubleshooting, clinical questions, or warranty claims, contact info@skin-lens.com. Defective or damaged-on-arrival devices are replaced at no cost under the three-year warranty.
What is the warranty?
The SkinLens carries a three-year warranty for parts and labor. The lithium ion battery is covered separately for one year. The warranty is voided by use of non-genuine SkinLens components or unauthorized modifications. Battery replacement after the warranty period is available directly through SkinLens at www.skin-lens.com.
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