[Smart skin-A new technology in the area of digital dermatology]

Numerous developments in the field of digital medicine have helped to improve the treatment and management of diseases. Smart skin is one promising technology. Through sensors that are attached to the skin, a wide variety of physiological parameters can be measured, e.g., concentration of hormones, presence of inflammation markers, or the glucose level. As this technology can be applied to different parts of the body, information about various organ systems can be obtained. In the case of diabetes, research is already very advanced due to its endemic relevance and the need for long-term treatment. For example, invasive blood measurement can be replaced by implantable tattoos which react to a change in the glucose level by changing its color. In the context of type 1 diabetes, a closed-loop control circuit can be created with so-called microneedling, which results in independent insulin delivery when blood glucose levels are too high. Moreover, there are also smart skin innovations for the management of chronic wounds. With the continuous measurement of physiological indicators such as pH, temperature, or bacterial milieu, the condition of the wound can be observed. The basic principles of the smart skin technology can be transferred into many areas in the field of dermatological care and, therefore, also represent a relevant aspect for dermatologists in the care of their patients. Continuous developments in the field of smart skin technologies show high potential for further research in a wide range of specialties with the aim to facilitate everyday clinical life for patients and physicians.