What should you know about a handheld dermatoscope?

The tool is held above the skin and may use polarised or non-polarised light to reduce surface glare. Magnification can reveal the arrangement of pigment, small blood vessels, scaling, and borders. A dermatoscope does not diagnose cancer by itself; the clinician combines its view with your history, skin examination, and any change noticed over time.

The examination is usually performed on intact, clean skin and does not require needles. You may be asked about a mark’s age, symptoms, sun exposure, and family history. The clinician may compare several lesions or capture an image for future comparison. If a spot is concerning, the next step may be closer monitoring, a specialist review, or sampling the skin.

Arrange a prompt skin assessment for a mark that is changing in size, shape, colour, or texture, or one that repeatedly bleeds, crusts, hurts, or itches. Seek urgent medical help for heavy bleeding that will not stop with firm pressure, rapidly spreading redness, or severe swelling after an examination.

Ask which features were seen through the device, whether the mark should be photographed or reviewed again, and what change should trigger an earlier appointment.