Dermatoscopy is a diagnostic tool for assessing skin changes using a dermatoscope, i.e.  an instrument that magnifies the field of view with polarised or unpolarised light. Dermatoscope is a very important tool in the assessment of pigmented skin changes. It is performed after a clinical skin examination and allows the epidermis and the deeper upper dermis to be viewed.

It helps the dermatologist to distinguish between melanocytic and non-melanocytic changes and is of the greatest importance for the early diagnosis of melanoma. Melanoma is the most malignant skin cancer, which in about 50% of cases arises in healthy skin as a new formation, and in 50% form changing nevi. If diagnosed early, melanoma is a curable cancer. Unlike other cancers, it is often easy to detect through regular skin checks with a specialist.

Dermatoscopy helps to differentiate various skin tumors – both benign and malignant (keratoses, dermatofibromas, hemangiomas, warts, basaliomas, squamous cell carcinomas, melanomas, and other lesions). Dermatological examination helps to diagnose the type of formation and determine when treatment is needed.

Our clinic offers two methods of removing moles and other benign lesions – laser and surgical.

The “Erbium” laser method and the CO2 laser are the simplest way to remove moles and other skin lesions. In most cases, no anaesthesia is required for removal. The laser uses a beam of light that is directed directly at the mole, heats the tissue, and then vaporises it. The procedure is painless and does not require incisions or skin sutures. Laser mole removal is less likely to leave scars. Laser treatment leaves a wound at the site of the former lesion, which heals with a scab. Healing usually takes about 1-2 weeks. It is important to note that laser treatment removes the skin at a microscopic level, so it is not possible to examine the lesion histologically to make a definitive diagnosis. Therefore, only benign lesions are removed by laser. Before removal, the lesion must be assessed by a dermatologist to ensure that it is benign.

The surgical approach involves removing the mole with a scalpel. The mole must be removed completely, i.e., the superficial part and the part under the skin. In the case of a small mole, the wound is sutured directly, but in the case of larger moles, a loose skin graft is sometimes used to cover the skin. Recovery from the procedure takes about 7-14 days. After removal of the stitches, treatment is recommended to apply the treated area with the prescribed cream for the next few weeks to soften the scar.