The Applications and Prospects of Intelligent Technologies in Dermatology: Progress, Challenges, and Future Visions

ABSTRACT

Against the backdrop of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, intelligent technologies — encompassing big data, artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), blockchain, 5G, and the Internet of Things (IoT)—are undergoing deep integration into clinical dermatology, reshaping traditional paradigms of diagnosis, treatment, and patient management. This comprehensive review systematically delineates the technical underpinnings of these technologies, evaluates their current applications in dermatological practice (with a particular focus on large AI models), maps their implementation pathways, and critically analyzes their inherent advantages, unresolved challenges, and future trajectories. By synthesizing evidence from recent clinical studies, technical benchmarks, and regulatory frameworks, this review aims to provide actionable insights for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers, thereby facilitating the translation of intelligent technologies into routine dermatological care, advancing the era of precision dermatology, and ultimately enhancing the quality, efficiency, and equity of global skin health services.