Your skin is your body’s largest organ. It’s also your first line of defense against bacteria, viruses, moisture, heat, and more. It helps to regulate your body temperature and plays an important role in your immune health. It also provides clues about your internal health.
It makes sense that such a large and important organ should have a doctor that specializes in its care. A dermatologist does just that. Also known as a skin doctor, a dermatologist is a medical doctor that specializes in conditions that affect your skin, hair, and nails. They provide treatment for more than 3,000 conditions that affect these parts of your body, including such ones as psoriasis and skin cancer. If you’re experiencing issues with your skin, a dermatologist can provide the care you need to improve its health.
• What Does a Dermatologist Do?
A dermatologist diagnoses and treats a broad array of skin conditions. By looking at your skin, they may also be able to identify symptoms that could point toward an internal condition, such as issues with your stomach, kidneys, or thyroid.
That’s not all dermatologists do. They may perform minor surgical procedures, such as mole removal or skin biopsies. Some specialize in performing larger surgeries, such as removing cysts. Dermatologists also treat skin issues that affect your appearance, and many have the training to provide cosmetic treatments such as Botox, fillers, chemical peels, and more.
• Dermatopathology
A dermatopathologist is a dermatologist that diagnoses skin conditions on the microscopic level. They examine tissue samples and skin scrapings using methods such as electron microscopy.
• Pediatric Dermatology
While all dermatologists can technically treat children, some skin conditions occur more frequently (or only) in younger individuals. Pediatric dermatologists specialize in treating these conditions.
• Mohs Surgery
This type of surgeon is a dermatologist who performs Mohs surgery, a procedure that treats skin cancer. The procedure involves removing thin layers of skin and examining it under a microscope until no cancer cells are visible.
• Education and Training
Dermatologists receive an extensive amount of education and training. The process involves:
- A 4-year bachelor’s degree
- A 4-year medical program to become a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathic medicine
- A 1-year internship
- A 3-year (or more) dermatology residency program
Some dermatologists go on to receive additional training in certain areas of dermatology. Some may also choose to become board certified. If you’re visiting a board-certified dermatologist, you can be assured that you’re receiving care from a highly-skilled, qualified doctor.