skin checks

Forums General Melanoma Community skin checks

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    JC
    Participant

      Why do some derms look at your skin with just their eyes, and others use a dermascope?  Is one method better?  Should I be wary of a Dr that uses or doesn't use one method or the other?

      Why do some derms look at your skin with just their eyes, and others use a dermascope?  Is one method better?  Should I be wary of a Dr that uses or doesn't use one method or the other?

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        Janner
        Participant

          It's a doctor's preference only.  All the dermatoscope is is a lighted magnifying glass.  It lets you look at the mole in a little more detail.  My doctor sometimes uses it and sometimes not.  He's also let me look at a mole on my arm with it.  Helpful tool but it's just a tool like photographs, and can't diagnose anything.  My doctor and I go mostly on photographs or gut feelings.  If something has changed for the worse, we biopsy.  I base my opinion on a doctor if he works with me and talks to me and discusses things openly with me, not the tools he uses.

          Janner
          Participant

            It's a doctor's preference only.  All the dermatoscope is is a lighted magnifying glass.  It lets you look at the mole in a little more detail.  My doctor sometimes uses it and sometimes not.  He's also let me look at a mole on my arm with it.  Helpful tool but it's just a tool like photographs, and can't diagnose anything.  My doctor and I go mostly on photographs or gut feelings.  If something has changed for the worse, we biopsy.  I base my opinion on a doctor if he works with me and talks to me and discusses things openly with me, not the tools he uses.

            Janner
            Participant

              It's a doctor's preference only.  All the dermatoscope is is a lighted magnifying glass.  It lets you look at the mole in a little more detail.  My doctor sometimes uses it and sometimes not.  He's also let me look at a mole on my arm with it.  Helpful tool but it's just a tool like photographs, and can't diagnose anything.  My doctor and I go mostly on photographs or gut feelings.  If something has changed for the worse, we biopsy.  I base my opinion on a doctor if he works with me and talks to me and discusses things openly with me, not the tools he uses.

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