Dermatoscope Dermlite DL1 Dermatology Image Taking Guides

Author: James Marshall, Commissioning Manager, SY ICB

Published Date: November 2023

Date to Review: November 2026

Description:

1st Video - Process for taking good quality images to accompany dermatology referrals delivered by Dr Thomas King, Consultant Dermatologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.

2nd Video - Training video on the Dermlite DL1 Dermatoscope, which has been provided to Sheffield practices.

Guidance from the video is written here:

Considerations prior to taking photographs

1) Ensure that the appropriate patient consent has been provided and documented.

2) Clinical history should be included with every referral, including;

• Site of the lesion

• How long the lesion has been present

• Any recent changes, including size, shape, colour

• Any symptoms such as bleeding, itching or ulceration

• Any personal or family history of skin cancer, including immune suppression

3) Record of medications & allergies.

Consider the patients privacy and dignity 

• Remove the appropriate amount of clothing.

• Make use of a towel or gown to maintain patient dignity.

• Patients have the right to request a chaperone when a photograph is being taken.

Three quality photographs should be taken to attach to each referral

1) First photograph – locating photo on the body.

2) Second photograph – zoomed in photo to see the detail of the skin lesion; include ruler for scale.

3) Third photograph – dermatoscopic photo. The dermatoscope should be in contact with the skin, however firm pressure should not be applied as this can obscure the blood vessels. 

Points to consider when taking photographs:

• Ensure that the skin lesion is well lit.

• Ensure photographs are not blurred and are instead in sharp focus.

• When multiple skin lesions are referred, good practise is to label each lesion.