Revolutionizing dermatological diagnostics: emerging surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy for <i>early-stage</i> detection and disease management

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is rapidly emerging as a transformative technology in dermatological diagnostics, offering ultra-sensitive, noninvasive detection of molecular markers associated with skin diseases. With nearly five billion individuals affected worldwide and conventional diagnostic methods often limited by invasiveness or subjective interpretation, there is an urgent need for rapid, accessible, and real-time diagnostic solutions. The present review systematically examines the integration of SERS into dermatological practice, with a focus on recent advancements in biosensing platforms, nanostructure engineering, and point-of-care devices. Innovative methodologies, including microneedle-based SERS biosensors and microfluidic-integrated detection systems, are discussed in the context of their ability to enhance diagnostic accuracy for early-stage skin cancers, microbial infections, and inflammatory dermatoses. Furthermore, the review highlighted the role of AI-driven spectral analysis in improving data interpretability and clinical decision-making. Critical evaluation of the challenges of substrate reproducibility, clinical standardization, and device scalability, while outlining emerging strategies that aim to bridge laboratory innovations with clinical applications, are explored. Looking ahead, the development of portable, low-cost SERS platforms for continuous skin health monitoring, combined with personalized diagnostic pathways, is poised to redefine dermatological care and expand the scope of precision medicine.