DermDescribe FAQ - Complete Guide for Healthcare Professionals

Frequently asked questions

What is DermDescribe in one sentence?

A documentation helper: upload a de-identified clinical photo, add a few details, and receive a concise paragraph plus optional structured fields suitable for your electronic medical record.

Is DermDescribe medical advice or a diagnostic tool?

No. DermDescribe is a documentation guide. It describes what is visible; it does not diagnose, triage or recommend treatment. Always use clinical judgement and local guidelines.

Who uses DermDescribe?

Medical professionals worldwide across emergency care, general practice, dermatology, urgent care, paediatrics, telehealth and nursing. It works for trainees and senior clinicians alike because the output is objective and standardised.

How do the pricing tiers work?

The free tier includes 3 uploads per month and returns a single documentation paragraph. The paid tier is USD $9.99 per month and includes unlimited uploads with more detailed output, including structured fields for follow-up and audit.

What happens to my image after I upload it?

Images are compressed automatically for speed and bandwidth, interpreted, and then the processing workspace is auto-cleared after five minutes. The image file is deleted; we do not retain it for training. Your generated text is saved to your personal dashboard so you can copy it later or delete it at any time.

Can I access previous work later?

Yes. Your outputs (paragraph and, on paid plans, structured fields) appear in your dashboard with timestamps and case labels you provide. The original image is not kept; re-uploads are simple if you need to re-run a case.

Do I need to crop or blur first?

Yes. Upload de-identified images only. Crop tightly to the lesion and keep faces, eyes, unique tattoos and any private anatomy out of frame. If an image looks identifiable, you should crop or blur before upload.

Is DermDescribe HIPAA/GDPR/APPs compliant?

DermDescribe is designed to support HIPAA, GDPR and Australia's APPs by using de-identification-first workflows, encrypted transport and transient image handling. Your organisation's policies always apply; use DermDescribe in accordance with local rules and obtain consent where required.

How long are images or outputs kept?

The image processing workspace auto-deletes after five minutes. Generated text outputs live in your dashboard until you remove them. You control retention and can delete entries at any time.

What exactly do I get back?

On the free tier you receive a single, tight paragraph suitable for pasting into your notes. On the paid tier you also receive structured fields such as lesion type, size method, colour terms, border and surface descriptors, distribution and "not assessable" flags to make follow-up comparisons straightforward.

Can I paste the output into my EMR?

Yes. The text is formatted for copy-paste into common electronic medical records. Many users create a smart-phrase that includes the DermDescribe paragraph and key fields they update over time.

How does measurement work?

DermDescribe documents the method you provide. If a millimetre ruler is visible on the same plane as the skin, sizes are recorded in mm. If not, the output states "size not assessable (no ruler)" or acknowledges a proxy you've indicated. We do not guess measurements.

Does it work across all skin tones?

Yes. The language focuses on descriptors that travel across tones: surface change, borders, arrangement and distribution, with colour terms like erythematous, violaceous, hyperpigmented and hypopigmented. When a feature can't be assessed from a photo, the output says so.

What if I upload multiple photos of the same area?

You can upload multiple views. The output summarises the overall pattern and documents the largest or most representative lesion. If one image is best for measurement, that becomes the reference.

What if I accidentally include a face or private anatomy?

Please do not proceed. Crop or blur before uploading. DermDescribe is intended for de-identified images only.

How secure is this?

All traffic is encrypted over HTTPS. Images are processed transiently then deleted as described above. We do not use your clinical images to train models. Access to your dashboard content is tied to your account and can be revoked by you at any time.

Is there a time limit when I'm working on a case?

Yes. The image workspace clears after five minutes to reduce privacy risk. If you need more time, you can re-upload the image or finish from the saved text in your dashboard.

Is DermDescribe a medical device?

No. It is a documentation aid only. It does not diagnose, prevent, treat or cure disease and should not be used as the sole basis for clinical decisions.

Any quick tips for best results?

Shoot straight-on with a millimetre ruler on the same plane, use neutral light, crop tightly to the lesion, and keep the image de-identified. The clearer the photo, the cleaner the note.

How do I upgrade or manage my plan?

Use the account menu in the app to upgrade to the paid plan, update billing or cancel. The free tier resets its three uploads each month on your billing cycle date.

Can I request deletion?

Yes. Delete entries from your dashboard at any time. If you need assistance, contact support and we'll help remove remaining records associated with your account.

Where can I learn more?

Read our guides on rash documentation, clinical photography and privacy in the blog, or try the demo to see a sample paragraph and structured output.