Google Lens gets New Features to Help Users with Skin Conditions

Google is further enhancing its computer vision-powered app, Google Lens, with an exciting new feature. Users can now rely on Lens to search for skin conditions similar to those they might observe on their own skin, including moles and rashes.

By uploading a photo or picture through Lens, individuals can initiate a search for visual matches, making it easier to identify and gather information about various physical ailments that may be challenging to describe verbally. This functionality extends beyond skin conditions, allowing users to explore other concerns like bumps on the lips, lines on nails, or even hair loss.

It is worth noting that this advancement represents a step prior to Google’s AI-driven skin, hair, and nail condition diagnosis app, which was launched in 2021 but faced regulatory hurdles in the United States, particularly in terms of approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Although the Lens feature cannot replace a medical diagnosis, it can be a valuable tool for individuals who are unsure whether to seek professional medical attention or explore over-the-counter treatments.

In a blog post, Google provided a concise description of how Google Lens can assist in searching for skin conditions. By simply taking a picture or uploading a photo through Lens, users can find visual matches that inform their search. This functionality extends beyond skin conditions, enabling users to seek information about various bodily concerns such as lip bumps, nail lines, or hair loss on the head.

However, it is essential to reiterate that this feature is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Its purpose is to provide users with more information about unfamiliar conditions or aid in describing them accurately.

To search for a skin condition using Lens, users can follow these steps:

1. Open the Google app on their mobile device.
2. Tap the Lens button, located on the right side of the search bar, resembling a multicolored camera.
3. Capture a photo of the skin condition using Google Lens or select an existing photo from the camera roll.
4. Tap the shutter button to initiate the search.
5. Visual matches related to the search will be displayed.
6. Under the uploaded photo, several suggested diagnoses will appear. Users can click on each diagnosis to browse through similar photos.

In an era of increasing reliance on technology and the need for accessible healthcare information, Google’s expansion of Google Lens represents a significant step forward in leveraging computer vision for personal health awareness.