Bridging clinic to home: domestic devices in dermatological diagnostics and treatments

Abstract

The integration of diagnostic and therapeutic tools into home-used devices has significantly transformed dermatology, making advanced skincare technologies more accessible to the public. Home-based diagnostic devices empower individuals to monitor, assess, and track skin conditions in real time, promoting earlier interventions and personalized skincare. Therapeutic devices, on the other hand, enable users to actively treat cosmetic and dermatological concerns, offering greater autonomy in managing skin health outside the clinical setting. These technologies, often inspired by clinical-grade equipment, promise enhanced patient engagement but also raise critical questions regarding safety, efficacy, and regulatory oversight. Importantly, the regulatory status of these devices, particularly for diagnostic tools, varies significantly across regions, affecting standards for quality, permitted energy outputs, and intended uses. This commentary separately explores the opportunities and challenges posed by home-used diagnostic and therapeutic devices, evaluates their roles in cosmetic dermatology, and highlights key insights from the literature to contextualize their growing influence on personalized skincare.