.png?v=1667978305)
Flickering LEDs, needing to recharge at lunch break, or a dermatoscope that just suddenly quit working—sound familiar?
Rarely a day goes by in which we don't receive emails from anxious customers asking for the "fastest way to send their device in to get fixed." After a few screening questions, the conversation often concludes with us reassuring the patient that they simply need a new battery.
Batteries Don't Live Forever
Regardless of whether we're talking about a smartphone or a dermatoscope, the truth is that all lithium-ion batteries have a limited lifespan. A general rule of thumb is that most are good for "several hundred charging cycles" before problems begin to occur.
Since many dermatologists use their device every day, it really only takes ~2 years (or less) before battery replacement becomes a concern. Surprisingly, many of our customers no issues at all despite using the same dermatoscope for 3, 4, even 5 years or more—without ever replacing the battery.
What makes this even more remarkable is that certain habits intrinsic to working in the clinic can actually shorten the average Li-ion lifespan below the mentioned "several hundred charging cycles":
Night-long top-offs. Many of us leave our scopes charging overnight so they’re ready in the morning—great for workflow, but keeping batteries charged at 100% for extended periods of time can shorten battery life.
Frequent mini-charges. Alternatively, grabbing a five minute "quick charge" between patients adds up partial cycles: also not ideal for long battery life.
Clinic & pocket heat. Warm exam rooms (or a lab coat pocket against our body) can keep the batteries above their temperature comfort zone, also shortening life.
It's not to say you should completely avoid these charging habits, because many of us can't. Instead, we should simply acknowledge that less-than-ideal battery life is a bit of an "occupational hazard" of our line of work.
The Classic Signs of a Failing Battery
Why It Pays to Be Proactive
Ask yourself: Can I comfortably work without my dermatoscope? If the answer is 'no,' consider keeping a spare battery or a backup dermatoscope in the clinic.
When you rely on your dermatoscope to perform exams, days can feel like years when you no longer have it by your side:
Shipping – 2–4 business days
Evaluation & service – 4-5 days
Return shipping – 2–4 days
Even in the "best case" scenario, sending your device in for service means not performing dermoscopy for ~2-3 weeks.
Quick Self-Check
- Age test: If your device starts acting up and the battery is ≥ 2 years old, odds are increased that the battery is to blame.
- Swap test: Do you have a coworker who uses the same dermatoscope? If you "borrow" their battery and yours suddenly starts working, you have your answer.
- Cable test: Try a different charger/USB-C cable. We find that ~10% of “dead batteries” actually turn out to be "bad charging cables."
“Best Practices” vs. "Real World"
| Textbook advice | Reality in clinic | Practical compromise |
|---|---|---|
| Keep charge between 20–80 % | We leave it charging overnight | Accept shorter lifespan; budget for replacement |
| Avoid heat extremes | Exam rooms and pockets get warm | Avoid the extremes to the best of your ability (e.g., "hot car") |
| Avoid constant top-offs | We grab quick charges between patients | Either let it run down to one LED before recharging, or simply accept shorter lifespan; budget for replacement |
TIP: Don't put yourself through "thousands of dollars of stress" for a $50 replacement battery. Replacing the battery = Peace of mind.
When 'Should' You Send it In?
Sometimes a new battery isn't the answer. Skip the "battery replacement" approach if:
- The device was damaged due to hard falls or other trauma
- Water/liquid entered the components
- Cracked housing, loose lens, or other signs of damage are visible
- Power surges are to blame (which may have damaged the PCB)
- You want your device to be professionally cleaned and inspected
- You have any other problems which don't fit the classic "bad battery" symptoms described
Please visit here to learn more about sending your device to the Dermlite Service Center.
Final Checklist
- If your scope is > 2 years old, consider replacing the battery just to be safe.
- Keep a spare dermatoscope in the clinic. Be prepared in case you ever experience midday "catastrophic failure" when there are patients still needing to be seen.
- Log the date of your newest battery swap so you'll know when it's time to consider another.
As always, if you have any questions, reach out to us at 'contact@dermatoscopes.com' and we'll be happy to assist!
Open here