From online advice to skin progress tracking apps, people are increasingly turning away from medical professionals – GPs and dermatologists – for their skincare needs. According to a study titled, Assessing the Public’ s Preferences and Outcomes in Using Online Resources and Digital Health Tools to Manage Skin Conditions: A Cross-Sectional Study, the primary reason for seeking online solutions was convenience( 53.6 %), followed by curiosity or self-education( 42 %). I spoke with three experts to explore why dermatology’ s shift to digital platforms could potentially benefit both patients and ease pressures on healthcare systems.

Maral Kibarian Skelsey, MD, Clinical Professor at Georgetown University Medical Center

Dermatology is undergoing a transformative shift as digital technologies become increasingly integrated into clinical practice. Teledermatology, Artificial Intelligence( AI), and digital imaging are at the forefront of this evolution, reshaping how skin conditions are assessed, monitored and treated. These innovations may improve access, efficiency and diagnostic accuracy, but they also present new challenges for both patients and dermatologists.

Teledermatology – whether synchronous( live video consultations) or asynchronous( store-and-forward image sharing) – has expanded dramatically, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. It offers patients enhanced access to specialised care, especially those in rural or underserved areas. For providers, teledermatology increases workflow flexibility and the ability to triage cases more effectively, focusing in-person visits on highercomplexity cases. However, image quality and the inability to perform physical examinations drastically limit diagnostic accuracy, particularly in evaluating subtle textural changes. Lighting and quality of photography have an enormous impact on the ability of a dermatologist to assess pigmented lesions. Store and forward photography are usually of higher quality, but these are most useful for a single lesion as it’ s not practical for a full body skin exam where comparison of multiple pigment naevi is necessary to determine if a lesion is the‘ ugly duckling,’ that requires further evaluation.

AI is another transformative tool, with algorithms capable of analysing clinical and dermoscopic images to assist in diagnosing conditions like melanoma. These technologies promise to reduce diagnostic errors and streamline decision-making, but they also raise concerns about data privacy, algorithmic bias and the need for ongoing clinician oversight. AI should be seen as an adjunct to, not a replacement for, the clinical judgement of a board-certified dermatologist.

Digital imaging and mobile apps have empowered patients to track their skin health over time, encouraging proactive management and early intervention. Yet, this can also lead to over-monitoring or anxiety about benign lesions, increasing unnecessary consultations.

From the physician’ s perspective, integrating digital platforms with existing electronic health records, ensuring cybersecurity, and maintaining HIPAA compliance requires significant resources and training. Moreover, reimbursement policies and licensure regulations can lag behind the pace of technological adoption, creating logistical hurdles.

The Digital Transformation of dermatology holds great promise for enhancing care delivery and patient engagement. However, its success depends on carefully balancing technological capabilities with clinical expertise, safeguarding patient data, and maintaining equitable access. Board-certified dermatologists must remain adaptive – embracing innovation while preserving the personalised care and diagnostic rigour that define our speciality.

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