AI and skin health tools are changing how we learn about dermatology.
We live in an exciting time. With just a few taps on your phone, you can access artificial intelligence platforms that provide detailed information about skin conditions, treatment options, and medical procedures. These tools are genuinely impressive, and many of my patients come to their appointments more informed than ever before.
That’s a good thing. I encourage you to research, ask questions, and be an active participant in your healthcare.
But here’s what I want you to understand: there’s an important difference between knowing your options and knowing which option is right for you.
What AI Does Well
AI platforms excel at synthesizing vast amounts of medical literature and presenting treatment possibilities. If you search for information about a suspicious mole, acne treatments, or skin cancer options, you’ll likely receive accurate, comprehensive lists of available approaches. The information itself is often sound.
What AI Cannot Do
AI cannot examine your skin. It cannot feel the texture of a lesion, assess its borders under dermoscopy, or notice how a spot has changed compared to your visit six months ago. It doesn’t know your medical history, your previous reactions to medications, your lifestyle, or your personal preferences.
When I recommend a treatment plan, I’m weighing factors that don’t appear in any algorithm: How will this interact with the medication you take for another condition? Is this approach realistic given your work schedule? Based on what I’ve seen in thousands of similar cases, what’s most likely to give you the best outcome with the fewest side effects?
An Example from My Practice
A patient recently came in concerned about a skin growth, having researched treatment options extensively online. The AI platform they consulted listed several valid approaches, including surgical excision, cryotherapy, and topical treatments. All of these are legitimate options that appear in medical literature.
After examining the lesion and considering this patient’s specific situation, I recommended an approach that wasn’t their first choice based on their research. Why? The location of the growth, their skin type, their history of scarring, and their upcoming travel plans all pointed toward a different solution than what seemed obvious from general information alone.
The result was excellent. But it required a conversation, an examination, and clinical judgment that no AI platform can replicate.
Use AI as a Starting Point, Not an Endpoint
I’m genuinely enthusiastic about patients who come prepared with questions and knowledge. When you understand your options, our conversations become richer and more productive. You can ask better questions, and together we can make decisions that align with your values and goals.
What I ask is this: bring that research to your appointment. Share what you’ve learned. Tell me what you’re hoping for and what concerns you. Then let’s work together to determine what’s best for your unique situation.
The internet can tell you what’s possible. Your dermatologist can tell you what’s right for you.
📞 Call Apollo Dermatology at 248-436-4888.
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📍 Apollo Dermatology | Rochester HIlls, Michigan
By Dr. Arjun Dupati, Board-Certified Dermatologist and Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon
