Program Overview

An Introduction to Hair and Nail Dermoscopy (online)

Dermoscopy is a non-invasive, widely used diagnostic tool that aids the diagnosis of dermatological skin and skin appendages' conditions. Hair and Nail Dermoscopy, also known as "Trichoscopy" and "Onychoscopy" respectively, is a newly evolving field in dermoscopy that has helped to diagnose pigmented and non-pigmented lesions of the nails and numerous conditions of the hair and scalp.

Course Details

• Start date: 6 April 2026
• Duration: 16-week online course
• Fee: £995

Who it's for

This 16-week online course is designed specifically for doctors who are involved in the care of dermatology patients with hair and nail lesions, and who wish to learn more about dermoscopy of skin appendages to improve their skill in the diagnosis of hair and nail disorders. The course is also for specialist nurses actively working in skin clinics, subject to appropriate qualification.

What you'll learn

This programme aims to develop competency in using a dermatoscope to:

• understand the normal Trichoscopic features of the scalp and hair
• understand the normal Onychoscopic features of the nails
• differentiate different types of non-cicatricial alopecia
• differentiate different types of cicatricial alopecia
• assist in the diagnosis of hair and scalp conditions in individuals with pigmented scalp
• differentiate traumatic, infective and inflammatory nail disorders
• differentiate benign and malignant nail tumours
• assist in the diagnosis of some pigmented nail lesions

Topics covered

Eight topics have been written by leading dermatologists in the field of dermoscopy. Participants are expected to complete a topic every two weeks.

Features of the course include:

• detailed topic materials with real case photographs
• module quizzes (with immediate performance feedback) for each module
• live interactive expert lectures using Adobe Connect software
• group discussion forums led by expert tutors
• collaborative learning is strongly encouraged
• participants will be able to discuss challenging or interesting cases that they encounter in their own practice (camera recommended)
• tutors will also share cases for discussion from their clinics
• forums aim to enable students to learn from each other and receive feedback from tutors

Course Structure

• Week 0: Pre-course preparation
• Week 1: Topic 1
• Weeks 2-3: Topic 2 (subject to completion of MCQ 1)
• Weeks 4-5: Topic 3 (subject to completion of MCQ 2)
• Weeks 6-7: Topic 4 (subject to completion of MCQ 3)
• Week 8: Topic 5 (subject to completion of MCQ 4)
• Weeks 9-10: Topic 6 (subject to completion of MCQ 5)
• Weeks 11-12: Topic 7 (subject to completion of MCQ 6)
• Weeks 13-14: Topic 8 (subject to completion of MCQ 7)
• Week 15: Examination week (subject to completion of MCQ 8)
• Week 16: Resit week (if required)

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must fulfil all of the following criteria to be considered eligible for this course:

• hold a medical degree
• see patients with skin lesions regularly
• have an excellent command of English
• own or have access to a computer with high-speed internet

Equipment

Access to a dermatoscope is highly recommended in order to participate in this course. Access to a camera to share your dermatoscopic images with the online community is also recommended but not essential.

Benefits

This is an entirely online course, run over 16 weeks, with online assessments.

• learn flexibly, in your own time
• gain insights into the latest techniques from international experts in the field of trichoscopy and onychoscopy, who write the topics for this course
• experience live interactive expert lectures
• work and learn collaboratively with your peers from across the world in group discussion forums led by expert tutors