Digital dermatoscopy

Dermatoscopy or dermoscopy is a diagnostic method of observing changes on the skin with the help of a dermatoscope, an instrument that increases the field of view with polarized or non-polarized light, and its primary meaning is in the evaluation of pigment changes on the skin.

It is performed after a clinical examination, and allows observation of the epidermal and deeper structures of the upper dermis.

It helps the dermatologist to distinguish melanocytic from non-melanocytic changes, and its greatest significance is in the early diagnosis of melanoma.

Melanoma is a malignant skin tumor that can arise from a malignant transformation of a mole or as a change in the skin that was not there before.

Melanoma becomes a potentially curable cancer if detected early enough and treated at an early stage, and unlike other cancers, it can be relatively easily detected through regular skin examinations.

Dermatoscopy is an aid in distinguishing different tumors on the skin (keratoses, dermatofibromas, hemangiomas, basal cell, or planocellular carcinomas and other changes).

A dermatoscopic examination helps us diagnose the type of change and determine when a particular change needs to be removed.

Digital dermatoscopy allows monitoring of suspicious moles that change over time. During each examination, photographs are stored and compared with previous ones, and in the event of certain changes in the observed lesion, an indication is set for its removal.

Digital dermatoscopy is an important monitoring method in people with an increased risk of developing melanoma, namely people who have:

• syndrome of atypical (dysplastic) nevi
• a history of melanoma or other skin cancer (or someone in their family)
• a large number of moles on the body
• fair-skinned and generally very sensitive to sun exposure (red-haired people, with freckles)
• sunburns that occurred in childhood and adolescence
• Chronic exposure to UV radiation due to profession or hobby

If you notice changes in your mole, such as asymmetry, irregular edges, a change in color or an increase in the diameter of the mole, or if it bleeds or itches, be sure to consult a dermatologist.

At the Bagatin Polyclinic, we use the most advanced dermatoscope from the renowned German company Visiomed AG, which specializes in medical diagnostics.

It is an integrated system for early detection of skin cancer, and is specially designed to fulfill all the most important aspects of skin examination and visualization.

Due to its precision, it is one of the most valued devices for the diagnosis of skin cancer, which is confirmed by numerous scientific awards and prizes.

Through the synergy of various diagnostic modules, the dermatoscope enables a standardized examination of suspicious skin changes, as well as detailed personal photo documentation and monitoring of moles over time.

The device itself magnifies the skin from 15 to 120 times with the help of calibrated optics to ensure consistent mole analysis every time.

A digital dermatoscope enables the capture, annotation, storage and transfer of dermatoscopic photographs, as well as clear visualization and analysis of suspicious lesions, for both clients and doctors.

The advantage of examining moles with the help of a digital dermatoscope:

• Standardized mole examination at each check-up
• Monitoring the development of moles over time – comparing the appearance of moles with previous ones
• In-depth analysis of the structure, shape and color of moles
• Photo documentation – helps to decide on the need for surgical removal of moles

Examination using a digital dermatoscope is completely painless, and you can return to activities after the examination. If the dermatologist determines during the examination that it would still be good to remove a mole or skin change, there is no need to worry.

Our Polyclinic offers as many as three methods of removing moles and other benign changes, namely surgical, laser and radiofrequency removal.

Surgical method It involves removing moles with a surgical knife.

The mole must be completely removed, meaning the surface part and the part that is under the skin.

When it comes to a smaller mole, the wound is sutured directly, and if the mole is larger, local flaps from the side or free skin grafts are used.

The post-operative treatment after the procedure lasts about seven days, and in the first days after the removal of moles, the places where they were must be bandaged.

After the stitches are removed, the treated areas are treated with prescribed creams for the next few weeks to help reduce the scar.

The laser method with the help of the Erbium laser is the simplest method for removing moles and other skin changes.

In most cases, anesthesia is not required for their removal.

It involves the use of laser light, the beam of which is directed directly at the mole to heat it and then destroy it.

It is painless, does not require cutting or stitching the skin.

Also, with laser mole removal, there is less chance of scarring than with other removal techniques.

After the laser treatment is complete, a scab forms where the mole once was.

This scab usually lasts for about two weeks and then falls off.

It is important to note that during laser treatment, the skin change is completely removed at the microscopic level, and there is no possibility to send the treated tissue to a pathologist for analysis to establish a definitive diagnosis.

With Ellman radiofrequency, only the change on the skin is removed, after local anesthesia which is injected with a very thin needle under the growth itself.

Immediately after treatment, a non-bleeding skin wound appears at the site of the growth, the same size as the removed growth.

A scab then forms, and after 7-10 days a fresh layer of skin forms, which over time blends back into the surrounding skin.