Standardized methods for photography in procedural dermatology using simple equipment

Abstract

Photography is an important tool in dermatology. Reproducing the settings of before photos after interventions allows more accurate evaluation of treatment outcomes. In this article, we describe standardized methods and tips to obtain photographs, both for clinical practice and research procedural dermatology, using common equipment. Standards for the studio, cameras, photographer, patients, and framing are presented in this article.

Standardized Photographic Documentation of Hidradenitis Suppurativa/Acne Inversa

“…Photography can be used in dermatology as an objective method to record alterations and outcomes in different medical, surgical and cosmetic conditions [5-13]. In association with evaluation softwares objective measurements can be performed in clinical research.…”

“…In addition, former proposals for technical standardization of photography in dermatology, regarding instrumentation, environmental lighting and background colour [5-13], have to be respected.…”

“…Standardization of the applied photographic technique is critical to achieve accurate and consistent images, especially in the context of clinical studies in dermatology [7-12]. However, guidelines for medical skin photography [7-9] and such for certain disorders, body localizations and procedures [10-13] have only recently been published.…”

Subcision™ plus poly‐l‐lactic acid for the treatment of cellulite associated to flaccidity in the buttocks and thighs

“…The photographs were taken using a Nikon D3500 Digital SLR camera, with an 18‐55 mm lens, with the same lighting and with the patients in the same position. Recently, Nikolis & Enright and Hexsel et al have described methods of standardizing photographs of cellulite, which has historically been a difficult condition to faithfully document on camera.…”

Using Standard Digital Extra-Oral Photography in Patient With Cleft Lip and Palate

“…This applies to the background, lighting, enlargements, and positioning of the patient (IMI national guideline). In many cases health professionals do not have the knowledge or skill to take standardized biomedical photographs, resulting in images where comparisons before and after treatment do not present anatomical characteristic accuracy (Claman et al;Ettorre et al;Hexsel et al, 2017).…”