Why Dermatologists Love Dermatoscopes: Understanding the Benefits and Uses

Posted on: June 27th, 2025 by Our Team

Dermatoscopes are a tool commonly used by dermatologists to examine the skin and diagnose skin conditions. Dermatoscopes are handheld devices that magnify the skin and allow for better visualization of skin structures and lesions. It’s a rare day where you will see board-certified dermatologist and board-certified, fellowship trained Mohs surgeon Dr. Thomas Knackstedt enter an exam room for a skin cancer screening exam without this handy tool. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at dermatoscopes and the benefits and uses of this important tool for the team at Apex Skin Center!

How Dermatoscopes Work

Dermatoscopes work by using polarized light to illuminate the skin and magnify the skin structures. This allows the dermatologist to examine the skin in greater detail and see structures that may not be visible to the naked eye. The dermatoscope also has a built-in light source that helps to highlight any suspicious lesions or moles.

Benefits of Using a Dermatoscope

The primary benefit of using a dermatoscope is the improved visualization of the skin. This allows Dr. Knackstedt and the providers at Apex Skin Center to diagnose skin conditions more accurately and with greater certainty. Additionally, dermatoscopes can also be used to monitor changes in moles or other skin lesions over time, which can be a valuable tool in detecting skin cancer. Alternating between conventional and polarized light and using up to 2-5x magnification allows Dr. Knackstedt to “look through” the top layers of the skin.

Uses of Dermatoscopes

Dermatoscopes are commonly used to diagnose a variety of skin conditions, including skin cancer, moles, and other skin lesions. They are especially helpful to differentiate a benign mole from a worrisome mole that requires a biopsy to rule out a melanoma cancer.