Who is a dermatologist?
A dermatologist is a healthcare professional who diagnoses and treats conditions and illnesses affecting the skin, hair, nails, and membranes. The skin is the biggest organ in the body that protects all internal organs from bacteria and injury. It is also an excellent indicator of an individual's overall health.
Dermatologists are qualified to treat over 3,000 medical conditions and also manage a wide range of cosmetic concerns.For example, they can treat a child's prominent birthmark that could threaten the baby's eyesight or remove a mother's melanoma at an early stage. A dermatologist can treat hair loss problems, helping the patient gain confidence to lead an everyday life.
What kind of education and training do dermatologists receive?
To become a dermatologist, one must study and train for 12 years. Students must first earn a bachelor's degree in science with subjects such as biology, chemistry, and mathematics. They must then enroll in a medical school where they study and train for four years.
The first two years of medical school involve studying theory in classrooms and laboratories. In the subsequent two years, students gain practical experience while training under the mentorship of skilled doctors and specialists. They learn to diagnose and treat illnesses and conditions in medical settings such as clinics and hospitals.
On completing medical school, students earn a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). After this, they must do a one-year internship where they receive training in dermatology and other fields. Students must enroll in a three-year (or more) dermatology residency program. After the residency, they must clear rigorous state-level licensure examinations before beginning practice.
Some dermatologists opt to study further to specialize in a particular field of dermatology. They receive additional training in the form of a fellowship, which can last one to two years, depending on the area of specialization. These areas include:
- Dermatopathology: Dermatopathologists specialize in dermatology and pathology (the study and diagnosis of diseases). They perform skin biopsies by removing a tiny part of your skin after noticing an issue of concern and assessing it under the microscope. They then provide dermatologists with a comprehensive biopsy/pathology report to help them determine if you have a disease and, if you have one, diagnose it accurately.
- Pediatric dermatology: Pediatric dermatologists specialize in treating newborns, children, and adolescents for conditions affecting their skin, hair, or nails. While all dermatologists can work with children, you might be referred to a specialist if your child is diagnosed with a challenging birthmark, a severe disease, and/or rare illnesses.
- Mohs surgery: Mohs surgery is used to eliminate high-risk skin cancer. During the procedure, your surgeon cuts away the tumor in layers. They begin with the tumor's visible portion and a margin of surrounding skin cells. Then, they inspect the sides and deep edges under a microscope. If the cancer extends to the edges, they will remove more tissue and examine newer skin samples, continuing this process until they eliminate all of the cancer. An advantage of Mohs surgery is that it involves removing only cancerous tissue and preserving all healthy tissue. This makes it a helpful approach for skin cancers affecting your face, ears, hands, feet, scalp, and genital areas.
Dermatologists can become board-certified by fulfilling the requirements of the American Board of Dermatology, the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology, or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
What conditions or illnesses do dermatologists treat?
Dermatologists can treat skin cancer, fungal infections, eczema, acne, and dermatitis. They can also treat psoriasis, scars, warts, cold sores, and rosacea. Patients may visit dermatologists to treat dark spots on the face (hyperpigmentation), long-lasting skin irritation, signs of aging, hives, and nail disorders. Further, one must visit a dermatologist to treat spider or varicose veins, moles, hemangioma, or autoimmune diseases.
Dermatologists can also help with cosmetic treatments to improve your appearance. They can offer treatments like fillers, Botox, chemical peels, etc.
What are the procedures performed by a dermatologist?
Dermatologists can perform various procedures depending on the condition or illness.
- Mohs surgery: This form of surgery entails the gradual removal of cancer cells from the skin, layer by layer.
- Electrosurgery: In this type of surgery, dermatologists destroy unwanted skin tissue with a high-frequency electric current.
- Vein treatment: Dermatologists use laser treatments or sclerotherapy to address damaged veins.
- Excision surgery: It involves using a sharp knife (scalpel) to cut off tissue. The dermatologist then performs appropriate closures.
- Laser surgery: Dermatologists use special light beams to perform this surgery.
- Mole removal: The dermatologist removes a mole wholly or partially and then studies it for signs of skin diseases or cancer.
What should you expect during the first appointment with a dermatologist near you?
Ensure you carry all necessary medical documents, including any relevant imaging tests or diagnoses. You must also take a list of your medications. During the first visit, the dermatologist will examine any notes made by a referring physician and study your medical records. They will then ask you about your symptoms.
The dermatologist will then carry out a physical exam, thoroughly examining your skin surface. Ensure that you wear loose clothing and don't wear any makeup or nail polish. If the dermatologist finds any abnormalities, they will address them or offer the appropriate treatment.
They may ask for or conduct additional tests such as allergy testing, blood work, biopsy, or skin scraping if required. The skin doctor will prescribe medication or advise on surgical procedures based on the diagnosis and tests. You may have to revisit the dermatologist so that they can monitor your progress.
Dermatology-related FAQs
Whether you need advice on the best sunscreen or healthy aging tips, find answers to all your queries below:
- How often should you visit your dermatologist?
When you enter your 20s or 30s, it is a good idea to start seeing a dermatologist near you at least once yearly. During these annual skin screenings, your provider will inspect your skin from head to toe with a dermatoscope and check for any suspicious moles, patches, growths, or other skin abnormalities. This way, they can detect any problems early and start treatment immediately.
- What are the most common risk factors for skin cancer?
While skin cancer can affect anyone, a few aspects can increase your risk of developing it. These include having light skin, blue or green eyes, and blond or red hair. Aging, skin sensitivity to sunlight, excessive sun exposure, and a family history of skin cancer can also elevate your risk.
- How can you protect your skin when going outdoors in the sun?
As sun exposure is associated with skin cancer, it is crucial to protect yourself from it. Apply sunscreen every few hours, wear protective clothing and headgear, and seek shade whenever possible.
- Which sunscreen do you recommend using?
Experts advise applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. However, you should confirm the best-suited one for your skin type with your doctor.
- How can you maintain your skin and hair health lifelong?
You can take various steps to feel and look young throughout your life, including:
- Quit smoking
- Reduce alcohol intake
- Exercise daily
- Get good sleep every night
- Eat a healthy diet
- Drink enough water
- Practice relaxation techniques
- Maintain a good skin, hair, and nail routine
- Visit your dermatologist regularly
How can you find the best dermatologist near you in Rockville, Maryland?
It's essential to look after your skin and have a dermatologist check your skin's overall health. Dermatologists are typically able to identify organ disease or failure early because the signs first appear on the skin. In such circumstances, they will recommend you to the appropriate specialist.
Finding a reputable dermatologist can be challenging. However, with its rigorously maintained directory of the top healthcare professionals, Zocdoc can help you find one. With Zocdoc, you can easily arrange a consultation with a leading dermatologist in Rockville, Maryland.
You can schedule an in-person appointment on the Zocdoc website by entering your ailments or symptoms, location, the day you want to see a dermatologist, and your insurance plan. Zocdoc will provide you with a list of the best dermatologists near you within minutes.
Zocdoc maintains a detailed profile of each healthcare professional, which includes a schedule of their availability times. According to the dermatologist's availability, you can arrange appointments before 10 a.m., after 5 p.m., the same day, or even on weekends or holidays. You can also book an online appointment if required; look for the purple button on the profiles of dermatologists who allow video consultations.
Each profile page details the healthcare professional's education, training, qualifications, accolades, and licensing. You can also choose a specialist based on gender, hospital affiliation, and spoken languages. You may also check if they treat children. In addition, Zocdoc also provides verified reviews and ratings by past patients to help you make an informed decision.
Booking an appointment with Zocdoc is simple, 100% free, and secure.
Dermatology-related statistics for Maryland and the US
The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2025, around 104,960 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed (approximately 60,550 in men and 44,410 in women). Moreover, about 8,430 people are expected to die of melanoma (around 5,470 men and 2,960 women). Lighter skin color is a risk factor for melanoma, as is aging. The average age of people diagnosed with melanoma is about 66. However, it is also one of the most common cancers among young adults (especially women).
Further, according to the American Cancer Society, there were 1,840 estimated new cases of melanoma of the skin in Maryland in 2023. The incidence rate for the condition in the state was 25.1 per 100,000 population between 2015 and 2019. The condition's incidence was higher in men (33.1 per 100,000) than in women (19.4 per 100,000). Further, the death rate due to melanoma was higher in men (2.7 per 100,000) than in women (1.2 per 100,000). The overall death rate in Maryland for the condition was 1.8 per 100,000 population.
Sources
News Medical Life Sciences
American Academy of Dermatology Association
WebMD
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
American Cancer Society[1]
American Cancer Society[2]
American Cancer Society[3]
Dermatology Solutions
Summit Health
Dermatology Treatment and Research Center
American Skin Association
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