Nine dermatology-focused digital health platforms

By Laura Lovett
03:03 pm
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Smartphone and computer cameras have opened up new possibilities for dermatology: there is now a whole field dedicated to the world of teledermatology, and a plethora of companies sprouting up for both physician and patient-facing dermatology apps and platforms.

But despite early promise, not all of these looking to strike it big in the smartphone dermatology market stuck around for the long haul. Spruce and Klara, companies originally in the dermatology space, have pivoted, both to some form of healthcare communication. Still, the field continues to grow. 

Read on for a list of dermatological digital health platforms. 


  • First Derm’s app Skin Image Search launched in beta in April. The app aims to use artificial intelligence to help people figure out exactly what their skin condition is. Users can upload a photo of their skin to the platform, where the AI will then match up the image to possible conditions. Right now the platform can identify the condition with 40 percent accuracy, and can narrow down the issue to the top five conditions that it could be with 80 percent accuracy, according to the company. 
     
  • SkinVision is a cancer screening app available in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and much of Europe. The app is designed to automatically take a photo when it detects the lesion. The technology can then use machine learning to evaluate the lesion and characterize the risk. The app is currently labeled as non-diagnostic. It could be coming to the US soon — in July the company said it would use its latest funding of $7.6 million to move forward with an FDA submission and US launch.
     
  • Miami-based DermaSensor uses spectroscopy, optics, and machine learning technology to identify potential skin cancer in users. The user places the sensor on their hand. The company claims the sensor is then able to evaluate the skin for potential cancer within seconds, and that the results pop up instantly. In 2017 the app won Health 2.0’s startup pitch competition.
     
  • VisualDX is a provider-facing tool. It allows clinicians to search a diagnosis across images, symptomsm and other clinical information. It also lets doctors look at how medications can impact the patient, including adverse effects that they may experience. Providers using the platform have access to over 32,000 images that show disease variation. 

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