Dermatoscopy is a non-invasive, simple, painless method of examining the skin, used to increase the accuracy of dermatological diagnosis, currently considered the most effective method for detecting and preventing skin cancer. The dermatoscope helps us diagnose other skin conditions such as: psoriasis, lichen planus, demodicosis, scabies, pediculosis, skin warts, etc.The dermatoscope amplifies 10 times the image it captures, thus allowing a detailed examination of each part of the lesion and accurately visualizing its characteristics, which are not visible to the naked eye. With the help of dermatoscopy, small changes can be detected that could indicate a premalignant or malignant lesion, which further determines the performance of an excisional biopsy.Classical dermatoscopy involves two forms: unpolarized and polarized. The first is done by disinfecting the area to be evaluated and placing the instrument on the skin. The polarized method does not require disinfection, because the dermatoscope does not touch the patient's skin.Digital dermatoscopy is performed in the same way as the classic one, but it involves an extra step. In the case of a suspicious formation or mole, it is photographed consecutively and stored in a database, in electronic format, in order to be able to compare the images over time and to observe if a significant change occurs. Digital dermatoscopy is the fastest, simplest and most effective method of mapping nevi and skin lesions (mole-mapping).

When is a dermatoscopic investigation indicated?

• once a year (preferably at the end of the warm season)

• in case of changes in moles - patients are advised to periodically self-examine their skin. If he notices a new mole or a modified pre-existing mole, the patient should consult a dermatologist for a specialist consultation.

Asymmetry of the mole - the shape of one half of the mole does not resemble the other

B comes from “border” - the edges are irregular and poorly defined

C comes from the color - the color is not uniform, the lesion having several colors

D from diameter - lesions with large dimensions (more than 6 mm) or which have a significant increase in size

E refers to the evolution of the lesion over time:

• people with more than 50 moles

• people with a personal or family history of skin cancers - should have dermatoscopes regularly to ensure that there are no pathological changes

No special preparation is required before performing dermatoscopy. It is generally recommended that the patient not use makeup on the day of the procedure.

The duration of the investigation varies between 30-60 minutes, depending on the number of moles.

In addition, monthly self-examination of the skin and moles is recommended to identify any changes in shape and color in advance, following the ABCDE rule.