How to Easily Identify Skin Conditions with Google Lens

Google Lens is a versatile app that can help you get quick and valuable information online by scanning objects, plants, and animals with your camera. But did you know you can also use it to identify skin conditions?

If you have skin issues like rashes, growths, and swellings, you can capture an image of the affected area and get information on possible causes, symptoms, and treatments. This can be convenient, especially if you want to get a basic idea of what your skin issue might be without having to visit a doctor right away.

Here is a guide on how to use Google Lens to identify skin conditions in a few easy steps:

Step 1: Download the Google Lens App 

The first thing you need to do is download the Google Lens app from either the App Store (iOS) or the Google Play Store (Android). This is a free app that works on most smartphones, and it will give you access to all the features.

Once you have downloaded the app, grant the required permissions, especially camera access. For Google Lens to function, you must allow it to use your phone’s camera to scan your skin and find other images online that are similar to your skin condition. You can also access Google Lens from other apps, such as Google Photos or Google Web, but for this article, we will focus on the dedicated app.

Step 2: Capture a clear image of the affected area

The next step is to capture a clear image of the affected skin area. You can use Google Lens’ built-in camera or your phone’s default camera app.

To use the Google Lens camera, follow these steps:

1. Open the app and tap on the camera icon at the top.
2. This will launch camera mode, where you can point your camera at the affected area of your skin. 
3. Now tap on the search icon on the screen.

Follow these steps if you want to use your phone’s default camera app:

• Open the default camera app on your phone.
• Point the camera at the affected skin area and take a picture as you normally would.
• Save the picture to your phone’s gallery.
• Open the Google Lens app on your phone.
• Tap on the picture you’ve just captured or any other photo on your phone.

Make sure the lighting is good and the image is sharp, not blurry. Try to avoid any obstructions or distractions in the background. The image should show only the area with the skin condition you want to identify.

Step 3: Crop the image for more precision

After you have captured the image, Google Lens will automatically search the web and provide results for similar images. You will also see a white box around the image, which shows the cropping area. The cropping area is the part of the image that Google Lens will use to search for information. Google Lens automatically crops the image to focus on the most relevant area, but you can manually adjust the crop.

To adjust the cropping area manually, you can simply tap on it and let Google Lens focus on that area. Alternatively, you can adjust the crop by dragging the corners of the white box. 

Note that changing the cropping area will affect the search results. The more specific the cropping area is, the more accurate the search results will be. So, ensure it covers the area with the skin condition you want to identify. You can also zoom in or out to change the level of detail.

Step 4: Explore the search results

The last step is to explore the search results. Google Lens will analyze your image and show you a list of matches for your skin condition, along with their descriptions. Scroll through the list and tap on the ones that look relevant to you. When you tap on a match, you will see more details about it, such as the name, cause, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of the skin condition.

Conclusion

Google Lens is a useful app that can help you identify basic skin conditions. It can scan pictures of your skin and help you learn more about the condition you may be suffering from. However, treat it only as a tool that can give you some clues and suggestions—not a substitute for a doctor’s diagnosis. A qualified doctor or dermatologist can examine your skin thoroughly, perform tests, and prescribe the medication or treatment. Therefore, it is essential to consult a medical professional, especially if you have severe symptoms.