What is dermatology?
Dermatology focuses on skin, hair, and nail conditions. Skin is our body's largest organ and, as such, requires great care. Dermatologists diagnose and treat all skin-related conditions, including :
- acne
- rashes and scars
- wrinkles
- hair loss
- eczema
- psoriasis
Dermatologists are specialist doctors with more than ten years of education and training. Students first earn a bachelor's degree before joining a medical school. It is followed by four years of medical training to obtain a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree. To specialize in dermatology, physicians must, in turn, complete an additional clinical internship and (at least) three years of residency training; usually, this includes 12 to 16 thousand hours of work in dermatology with real-life patients.
However, this does not guarantee board certification. To become board-eligible (or board-certified), dermatologists must clear the examination set by the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology, or the American Board of Dermatology. (Note: If the title 'FAAD' appears after the name of a dermatologist, then they have been board-certified by the American Academy of Dermatology.)
You can also check out your dermatologist's profile on Zocdoc. You will find details of their board certification and any other recognitions and awards here. Consulting a board-certified dermatologist can bring peace of mind. After all, they are not only medically trained but have also met the rigorous, national-level standards set by the board.
What do dermatologists do?
A dermatologist's work primarily covers three areas, which include:
- Medical concerns: They can diagnose and treat conditions affecting an individual's skin, including acne, plaque psoriasis, and rosacea. They can identify symptoms on a person's skin that can be signs of other health conditions. For instance, sometimes itchy, dry skin can indicate problems with an individual's kidney.
- Surgery: Many dermatologists can perform minor surgeries such as removing moles or warts or performing skin biopsies. Yet others might specialize in more extensive surgeries, such as removing benign cysts.
- Cosmetic concerns: They can treat skin issues that affect an individual's appearance, such as dark spots, hair loss, or wrinkles. Additionally, many dermatologists receive training to administer cosmetic treatments such as chemical peels, fillers, and laser hair removal.
What conditions do dermatologists treat?
- Acne is a prevalent chronic skin condition that affects people of all ages. Nearly 85% of people in the 12 to 24 age group have some minor acne. Annually, acne affects about 50 million people in the United States alone. Some potential causes are lousy food habits, using makeup that clogs the pores in the skin, hormonal fluctuations, and stress.
- Hair loss: Hair loss or baldness is commonly hereditary and mainly seen in men. The condition affects around 80 million Americans, of which 50 million are men and 30 million are women. Potential causes of hair loss include underlying diseases such as thyroid or lupus, lack of protein or iron in the diet, hormonal imbalance, certain prescription drugs, and conditions like alopecia, which can cause hair to fall in round patches.
- Psoriasis is primarily seen in adults ages 45 and 64. Around 25-30 percent of people with psoriasis also experience symptoms of arthritis due to inflammation in the joints. It is known as psoriatic arthritis.
Common dermatology procedures
- Laser therapy uses intense light beams to treat skin conditions like sunspots or wrinkles. It is beneficial for cosmetic treatments. Broadly, lasers are classified into three categories:
- Pulsed-dye lasers are used for vascular lesions and effectively treating larger skin areas.
- Short-pulsed lasers are used to treat freckles or birthmarks. They also allow for the selective erasing of a tattoo.
- Long-pulsed lasers are used to remove hair. They are effective as regrowth might not occur for 4-6 months.
- Surgical or shave excision involves removing a mole, tumor, or lesion from the skin. It is the preferred procedure for the excision of carcinoma or melanoma cells. Usually, a sharp razor is used for surgical excision. Your dermatologist may surgically excise any abnormal growth on the skin, especially if the change is cancerous.
- Cryotherapy: Liquid nitrogen is utilized to freeze a specific skin area. Cryotherapy is primarily performed to treat keratosis, warts, acne, or small benign growths on the skin.
- Cosmetic injections: A substance is injected into the skin to make it wrinkle-free or smoothen its appearance. Mainly two types of substances are used:
- Botulinum toxin type A helps relax the facial muscles that cause the lines.
- Dermal fillers plump the skin and reduce wrinkles.
- Chemical peels: Chemical peels reduce signs of aging in the skin and brighten and smoothen the skin. It can also treat acne, age spots, freckles, etc. Acids like glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, or lactic acid are applied to the area, creating a controlled wound that lets the new skin take its place.
- Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure that dermatologists use to treat varicose and spider veins. It usually involves injecting chemicals into the damaged veins to diminish their appearance.
- Tumescent liposuction is a standard procedure dermatologists use to remove extra fat from particular body parts.
Dermatologist vs esthetician
Both dermatologists and estheticians help improve the appearance of skin, but their roles differ. While both can offer treatments that enhance the appearance of skin, a dermatologist near you can go much further—addressing not just cosmetic concerns but medical issues as well.
A dermatologist is a licensed medical doctor trained to diagnose and treat various skin conditions. They can provide medical solutions and perform procedures like mole or cyst removal, whether it’s acne, eczema, skin cancer, or unusual moles. They also guide you to other specialists if your condition needs more targeted care. Think of a dermatologist as someone who prioritizes your skin’s overall health—not just how it looks.
Estheticians, on the other hand, focus on non-medical skincare. Their treatments usually aim at the outermost layer of your skin—offering facials, peels, and other beauty-enhancing services. While they’re skilled at improving your skin’s texture and glow, they’re not trained to diagnose or treat serious conditions.
In some cases, estheticians work under dermatologists, especially in clinical settings. If you're unsure where to start, visiting a dermatologist near you is a safe bet for professional skin care.
How often should you visit a dermatologist?
It is a good practice to see your dermatologist once a year. It becomes necessary as your skin can change unexpectedly in 365 days due to moles, sunburns, rashes, scaliness, etc. Frequent visits will allow your dermatologist to track the progression of your conditions and the treatments offered.
While conducting your annual screening, the dermatologist will analyze your skin for any signs of skin cancer. Some of these may be a scaly patch of skin, sores that do not go away, asymmetrical moles that are changing in appearance, etc. Other concerns you can see your dermatologist for may include ingrown nails, hives, wound scars, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, hair thinning, etc.
More frequent visits are ideal for people who have had skin cancer or someone in their close family has experienced it. If you have very fair or pale skin or underwent X-ray acne treatment when you were younger, you must schedule more regular appointments with the best dermatologist near you.
What can I expect when visiting a dermatologist?
When you visit a dermatologist, they will review your medical history to gain a comprehensive picture of your current skin health. They may ask you questions related to:
- Your family history of skin problems
- Your medical history and personal history of exposure to elements that can influence skin health, such as sunburns, sunscreen use, smoking, allergies, nutrition, and stress.
- The skincare products you use
- Your current skin health concerns
A head-to-toe, full-body professional skin assessment from your dermatologist is essential to your first visit. It gives your doctor a good starting point of what appears "normal" for your skin and allows them to analyze it for any areas of concern, such as rashes, moles, and other skin issues.
Before the examination, you will have complete privacy to undress and wear a medical gown. Your dermatologist will then examine your skin from head to toe using clean gloves, including the scalp, back, behind the ears, and between the toes. Your doctor may also use a dermatoscope, a small magnification equipment, to examine the uppermost layers of your skin.
If your doctor thinks a particular spot requires further examination, they may do a biopsy. It involves extracting some or all of the spots and sending them to a laboratory for analysis. After discussing the risks and benefits, they will take your consent for the biopsy. They will clean the region with alcohol and provide a local anesthetic to ensure that you feel minimal pain. Depending on the results, your dermatologist may order additional testing, such as skin swabs, patches, and blood tests.
Based on your test findings, the provider will discuss several treatment options and suggest the best one for your condition. It could involve lifestyle changes, topical or oral drugs, surgeries, or a combination of treatments.
After the session, they may suggest you follow specific recommendations, such as taking prescribed medications as advised, avoiding certain products or activities, or scheduling a follow-up appointment.
Dermatologists vs skin specialists
Though dermatologists and skin specialists focus on skincare, their training, expertise, and treatment approaches differ. Understanding these differences can help you make the right choice when searching for a dermatologist near you.
Scope of work
A dermatologist is qualified to manage complex skin, hair, and nail issues. They treat conditions like severe acne, psoriasis, and even skin cancer. Dermatologists are also trained to perform medical procedures such as skin biopsies and mole removals. Skin specialists, on the other hand, usually focus on aesthetic concerns—offering treatments that improve appearance but don’t require medical intervention.
Education and credentials
Dermatologists complete a medical degree followed by specialized dermatology training and residency. Many are board-certified, showing advanced qualifications in clinical and cosmetic dermatology. Skin specialists often follow varied educational paths, usually focusing on cosmetic techniques rather than medical diagnoses or treatments.
Treatment types
If you need help with a medical skin condition, a dermatologist near you can provide treatments like prescription therapies, surgeries, or advanced diagnostic care. Skin specialists are more likely to offer cosmetic services like facials, chemical peels, and anti-aging treatments.
In short, dermatologists treat health-related skin issues, while skin specialists focus on cosmetic care.
What is melanoma?
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer in which the pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) in the skin undergo uncontrolled growth. It is often called the most severe or aggressive variety of skin cancer and can quickly spread to different body parts. Melanoma can either develop in an existing mole or appear suddenly on the skin without any signs or symptoms.
However, melanoma is a highly treatable form of cancer when detected early. Regular mole checks and mapping at a dermatologist or doing routine skin self-exams at home are the best ways to locate the early signs of melanoma.
ABCDE of melanoma
ABCDEs are the five early warning signs of melanoma that appear on the skin. These include the following:
A normal mole is symmetrical with equal halves. A mole with an irregular shape or two halves that look distinctly different could indicate melanoma.
A normal mole has a well-defined border with sharp edges. A mole with a poorly defined, scalloped, or irregular border could signify melanoma.
A normal mole will have a uniform color throughout, either black or brown. If a mole has many colors, different shades, or uneven distribution of color, then it's a sign of melanoma.
If you find a new mole growth or an existing mole 6 mm or more in diameter or more than the circumference of a pencil eraser, it could indicate melanoma.
If a particular mole has changed its size or shape since your last examination or is growing and exhibits symptoms of bleeding and itching, it could be a sign of melanoma.
How do you do a skin self-exam to check for signs of skin cancer?
- Use a full-length mirror.
Stand in front of a full-length mirror and examine the back, front, right, and left parts of your body in the mirror. Look for any new or abnormal moles.
- Check your legs, toes, between toes, and feet.
Check the backs of your feet and legs, the soles of your feet, and the spaces between your toes.
- Check your palms, forearms, and underarms.
Check your underarms and other areas hidden from standard view carefully. Bend your elbows and look at your forearms and palms.
- Check the neck and scalp.
Use a handheld mirror to check your back and scalp. Divide your hair to examine the scalp skin more closely.
- Check your back and buttocks.
Use the handheld mirror to check your buttocks and lower back area thoroughly.
How to find the best dermatologists near you in Indianapolis, IN?
Choosing the right dermatologist can seem full of hassles: finding a doctor, matching insurance, appointment times, etc. However, Zocdoc provides you with a one-stop solution. Our efficient algorithms and up-to-date reviews will help you find the best Indianapolis-based dermatologist within seconds.
Search for conditions like acne or rashes, or enter 'dermatologists.' Zocdoc's interface lets you sort providers based on location, availability, gender, hospital affiliation, specialty, and more! If you need more confidence about seeing a new doctor, look at their provider profile.
All healthcare providers listed on Zocdoc have a unique profile that lists their background details, including their education, board certifications, clinical experience, and publications. The customer ratings can also help you make the right choice.
Covering medical expenses is dramatically more accessible with an in-network dermatologist. Zocdoc also lets you search among in-network providers. Enter your insurance provider's name, and we will find the best dermatologist near you who accepts your insurance.
When choosing an in-network doctor, you can trust Zocdoc to keep your health insurance information safe per the industry's best practices. For any insurance-related queries, reach out to Zocdoc's patient help center.
All bookings are safe, secure, and free!
Dermatology statistics in Indianapolis
Although it can be detected early and is highly preventable, skin cancer remains the most common cancer in the United States. According to the Indiana State Cancer Registry, it is estimated that about 1,248 people in Indianapolis were diagnosed with skin cancer in the year 2015.
To minimize the possibility of developing skin cancer, dermatologists advise people to attend regular check-ups and make an appointment if they notice uneven skin growth.
Sources
American Academy of Dermatology Association[1]
American Academy of Dermatology Association[2]
American Academy of Dermatology Association[3]
American Academy of Dermatology Association[4]
Mayo Clinic
Healthline
National Library of Medicine
Olansky Dermatology & Aesthetics
SIU School of Medicine
BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital
Eternal dermatology
Indiana State Department of Health
