What is a Dermatologist?
Dermatology is the division of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases, a unique specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist takes care of diseases, in the widest sense, and some cosmetic problems of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails.
A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in treating the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes (e.g., lining inside the mouth, nose and eyelids). Dermatologists diagnose and treat more than 3,000 different diseases.
What does a Dermatologist do?
Dermatologists are more likely to encounter cosmetic problems; moles, hair and nail disorders, occupational dermatitis, psoriasis, skin infections, eczema, acne, rosacea, and hand dermatitis.
The cosmetic problems for which dermatologists can provide assistance include wrinkles, age spots and other signs of aging, hair loss, and scars.
Some dermatologists perform minor cosmetic procedures such as facelifts, liposuction, and blepharoplasty, surgical modification of the eyelid.
What are the dermatology subspecialties?
Dermatopathology:
A dermatopathologist is a highly trained physician who specializes in diagnosing disorders of the skin under a microscope. The subspecialty of dermatopathology is a combination of both dermatology and pathology.
Cosmetic Dermatology:
Cosmetic dermatologists are medical doctors who have sought additional training in dermatology in order to assess and treat skin conditions cosmetically.
Mohs surgery:
The dermatologic subspecialty called Mohs surgery focuses on the excision of skin cancers using a tissue-sparing technique that allows intraoperative assessment of 100% of the peripheral and deep tumor margins.
Immunodermatology:
The focus of Immunodermatology is the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders distinguished by defective responses of the body’s immune system.
Pediatric Dermatology:
Pediatric dermatologists treat a wide variety of pediatric skin conditions using the latest available treatment methods. Pediatric dermatologists treat children from birth through adolescence.
Teledermatology:
In this field, telecommunication technologies are being used to transfer medical information over varying distances through audio, visual and data communication.
What is the difference between a Dermatologist and a Plastic Surgeon?
A cosmetic dermatologist is a doctor trained primarily in dermatology who specializes in performing cosmetic procedures. New technology such as laser skin rejuvenation and laser hair removal is constantly changing the field of cosmetic dermatology.
A plastic surgeon is a doctor who performs surgical aesthetic procedures. This includes breast enhancement, face lifts, rhinoplasty (nose jobs) and body procedures.
