An electrically-powered, hand-held instrument intended to be used for the direct microscopic examination of the external skin layers. The device has a built-in light source and magnification system that provides the user with the visualization of the structures of the epidermis and epidermal-dermal junction during dermatoscopy (also known as dermascopy). Oil may be applied to the skin to enhance skin transparency. This device is commonly used for the examination of skin structures and to assess abnormal colour and pattern changes of pigmented skin lesions (e.g., spongy birth marks, malignant melanoma).