Augmented and Virtual Reality in Dermatology—Where Do We Stand and What Comes Next?

Abstract

As the skin is an accessible organ and many dermatological diagnostics still rely on the visual examination and palpation of the lesions, dermatology could be dramatically impacted by augmented and virtual reality technologies. If the emergence of such tools raised enormous interest in the dermatological community, we must admit that augmented and virtual reality have not experienced the same breakthrough in dermatology as they have in surgery. In this article, we investigate the status of such technologies in dermatology and review their current use in education, diagnostics, and dermatologic surgery; additionally, we try to predict how it might evolve in the near future.

Metaverse in diagnosis of skin diseases

“…To monitor pigmented lesions or other skin conditions, full-body 3D mapping of the skin's surface is also possible. 4,5 Metaverse can aid in radiological diagnostics by enabling new radiologic skills by real-time image viewing and manipulation; the ability to see dynamic images with greater information for improved disease/injury diagnosis; and the facilitation of close physician cooperation on 3D medical imaging. 4 The use of virtual reality and augmented reality in education and practice has the potential to enhance and transform dermatological practice by examining the skin lesions in real-time.…”

“…4,5 Metaverse can aid in radiological diagnostics by enabling new radiologic skills by real-time image viewing and manipulation; the ability to see dynamic images with greater information for improved disease/injury diagnosis; and the facilitation of close physician cooperation on 3D medical imaging. 4 The use of virtual reality and augmented reality in education and practice has the potential to enhance and transform dermatological practice by examining the skin lesions in real-time. To become pioneers in these technologies and implement them into their practices, dermatologists should try to capitalize on the metaverse revolution.…”