What is dermatology?
The largest organ in the body, the skin, is a reliable indicator of general health. It also acts as the body's first line of defense against pathogens and damage. Dermatology focuses on conditions that affect the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes.
A dermatologist is a medical specialist who identifies and treats skin, hair, and nail diseases. They are well-equipped to identify and treat several problems, including acne, eczema, hair loss, psoriasis, skin cancer, nail fungus, and rosacea. By examining your skin, they can also spot symptoms of an underlying illness in another body part, like problems with your stomach, kidneys, or thyroid.
To become a dermatologist, aspirants must complete four years of a bachelor's degree followed by four years of medical school. They must then undergo a year of internship and three years of residency training to receive hands-on patient treatment experience.
After completing the mandatory education required to become a dermatologist, some further advance their training by pursuing a fellowship to specialize in a specific subspecialty. Some specialty areas they may choose are:
- Medical Dermatology
- Surgical dermatology
- Cutaneous lymphoma
- Dermatoimmunology
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Cosmetic Dermatology
- Dermatopathology and oral pathology
- Photomedicine
To begin practicing in the United States, dermatologists must pass the board certification exams administered by the American Board of Dermatology, or the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology.
What conditions do dermatologists treat?
Dermatologists can treat over 3,000 types of skin, hair, and nail conditions. They can also help identify severe underlying health problems, such as organ failure, kidney problems, and heart disease, from what appears on your skin.
Some common conditions treated by dermatologists include-
- Lupus: This systemic autoimmune disorder causes inflammation that affects the joints, skin, kidneys, brain, heart, and lungs. Lupus, which affects the skin, is called cutaneous lupus. It typically shows up as a flare-up (a butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and nose bridge), a rash on the back, toes and fingers that turns white or blue when exposed to a cold environment or during a stressful period, or a skin lesion that can appear or worsen with sun exposure. Dermatologists help lupus patients by developing a sun-protection plan and recommending prescription medications to reduce, treat, and prevent new flare-ups, relieve pain and itching symptoms, even out skin tone, prevent scarring, and stop irreversible hair loss.
- Melanoma or skin cancer: Widely prevalent, melanoma of the skin occurs in the melanocytes (which make our skin pigment called melanin) and can be life-threatening if left untreated. While melanoma is not contagious, it can spread to several parts of the body, such as your back, legs, palms, face, soles of the feet, fingernails, and arms, particularly to areas exposed to the sun's harsh UV radiation. The first indication of melanoma can appear as a change in an existing mole or the development of a pigmented or unusual growth on the skin. The characteristics that dermatologists look for while diagnosing melanoma include an asymmetrical or irregularly shaped mole with abnormal, notched, or scalloped borders that may present changes in shape, size, and color and itches or bleeds.
- Atopic Dermatitis (A.D.): Also called eczema, this condition is commonly found in children but can also happen in adults. Some signs of A.D. include dry skin, itching, oozing and crusting, and thickened skin. Topical products can easily manage the skin condition by reducing flare-ups, pain, and itchiness.
- Lyme Disease: Caused by a bacterial (borrelia bacteria) infection after a tick bite, Lyme disease occurs mainly in people working or residing in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas where the parasites live. Ticks are commonly found throughout the U.S. but are more populated in the upper Midwest, the northeastern, and mid-Atlantic states. Symptoms of this disease typically show up anywhere between 3 and 30 days of the bite. After 30 days, a rash gets formed in a bull's-eye pattern. It spreads slowly, usually in a single circle, and can feel warm when touched but may not be painful or itchy. Other symptoms include fever, headaches, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. In stage 2, patients may start having symptoms like widespread rashes on different parts of the body, neck pain or stiffness, immune system issues, and painful swelling in the eye or eyelid.
Which procedures do dermatologists perform?
Listed below are some standard procedures that a dermatologist can perform:
- Electrosurgery: The surgical application of a high-frequency electric current to cut or destroy tissue is known as electrosurgery.
- Cryosurgery: Cryosurgery helps treat benign skin conditions by freezing lesions and destroying infected cells.
- Laser surgery: Laser surgery involves specialized light beams to eliminate tumors, warts, moles, unwanted tattoos, birthmarks, scars, wrinkles
- Vein treatment: Dermatologists use sclerotherapy or laser procedures to treat damaged veins.
- Mole removal: The partial or complete removal of a mole from your body is called mole removal. Dermatologists also examine moles for signs of cancer or other skin conditions.
- Excision surgery: It involves the excision (removing by cutting) of lesions and affected tissues using a sharp knife (scalpel). It often prevents the infection from spreading or recurring.
- Mohs surgery: Mohs surgery removes cancer cells from your skin layer by layer. Dermatologists remove successive layers of tissue until they find no more cancerous cells.
How are dermatologists and estheticians different from one another?
If you have a skin problem, you can consult two sorts of skin professionals: estheticians and dermatologists. Understanding the critical differences between estheticians and dermatologists will help you select the best specialist to manage your skin issues.
Estheticians are experts trained to improve the outer layers of your skin and provide skincare guidance. Unlike dermatologists, they do not receive medical training and cannot diagnose skin conditions, prescribe medications, or undertake invasive treatments such as injections or fillers. In certain states, they may perform injections under the supervision of a dermatologist.
Estheticians do facials, microdermabrasion, hair removal (waxing, threading, sugaring), makeup (including brow tinting and eyelash extensions), body treatments (scrubs, masks, wraps), and superficial chemical peels (not deep peels). They usually work in salons or day spas.
In clinical settings, like dermatology clinics, medical estheticians or aestheticians work with dermatologists or cosmetic surgeons. They provide pre- and post-surgical skincare, tattoo removal, deep chemical peels, and laser hair removal under the supervision of a specialist. While medical estheticians do not require a license, they pursue further education and training for their services.
Conversely, a dermatologist is a skin, hair, nail, and mucous membrane expert who treats over 3,000 disorders. They are responsible for diagnosing, preventing, counseling, educating, and treating patients. Some dermatologists only provide medical or cosmetic services.
Dermatologists and estheticians are licensed professionals to help you with your skin's needs. You can select one of the professionals based on your needs. Neither of these professionals is fundamentally better than the other. It ultimately relies on the specific skin care issues you want to address.
Ideally, consult a dermatologist for skin disorders requiring medication or surgery. In comparison, contact an esthetician for cosmetic concerns on the skin's surface or general skin care guidance.
First dermatology appointment: Three frequently asked questions (FAQs) answered
If you are going to a dermatologist near you for the first time and are still determining what to expect during the consultation, follow the tips below, prepare accordingly, and make the most of your time with the dermatologist.
1) What will the dermatologist ask me during the first consultation?
Your dermatologist will ask you various questions about your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle, and other relevant topics to comprehensively understand your situation, achieve an accurate diagnosis, and decide on an appropriate treatment approach. They may ask you:
- What are your symptoms? When did you first notice them?
- Have you tried any treatments in the past to resolve your symptoms?
- Have you had skin problems in the past?
- What prescription and over-the-counter skincare, haircare, and nail care products do you use?
- Do you apply sunscreen?
- Do you have any other health conditions or allergies?
- Did you recently suffer a major illness or surgery?
- What medications, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements do you take?
- Do you smoke or drink alcohol?
- What is your everyday diet?
- Are you currently stressed about anything?
- Do you have a family history of conditions like cancer, heart disease, or diabetes?
2) Will there be a physical examination and clinical testing?
After a brief discussion with you, the dermatologist will conduct a head-to-toe physical exam of the skin, hair, and nails. They will check for any other visible problems besides the symptoms you described. They may also perform a biopsy, collect a skin swab, take nail clippings, or order a blood sample and forward it to the laboratory for further testing.
3) What should I wear to a dermatology appointment?
Dressing up for a dermatology appointment is pretty straightforward. You can wear comfortable garments that make the physical examination easy. If you are having a skin cancer check, your dermatologist may most likely ask you to change into a gown. Second, do not wear jewelry, makeup, perfume, hair styling products, nail polish, or other accessories and cosmetics, as they can hinder the evaluation. If you have long hair, wear it loosely. Also, try to avoid changing the appearance of your skin before an appointment, like rubbing or picking at your skin or applying heavy skin care products.
How to keep your skin healthy?
There are some steps and measures you can take to maintain healthy skin, such as:
- Eating a balanced diet: A healthy diet of fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and fresh produce can help you feel and look your best. While there is disagreement over whether diet impacts acne, some research still suggests that consuming a diet high in fish oil and supplements and low in unhealthy fats, refined carbs, and processed foods may help you look younger. Your skin also needs plenty of water to stay hydrated and healthy.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking can cause wrinkles and make your skin appear older. It constricts the smallest blood vessels in the epidermis, lowering blood flow and resulting in paler skin. It also depletes the skin's nutrients and oxygen, which are crucial for healthy skin. Smoking may increase your risk of developing squamous cell skin cancer. The best way to protect your skin if you smoke is to quit. Your primary care doctor can also help in quitting smoking.
- Managing stress: Uncontrolled stress can heighten your skin's sensitivity, lead to acne outbreaks, and cause other skin issues. Therefore, taking the necessary stress management steps can help promote healthy skin and mind. It would help if you tried to get enough sleep, establish reasonable boundaries, reduce your to-do list, and set time for your favorite activities.
- Treating your skin gently: Daily activities like cleansing and shaving can damage your skin. To keep it delicate, use gentle cleaners and avoid harsh chemical soaps and detergents, which can strip it of natural oils. After bathing or washing your skin, pat it dry with a towel. Do it gently to retain some moisture. It is also essential to take precautions while shaving to ensure it does not damage the skin. Shaving cream, lotion, or gel is recommended to lubricate and protect your skin. You can then use a clean, sharp razor to get the closest shave possible and go against the direction of hair's growth, not with it. Consider using a moisturizer with SPF to hydrate your skin and keep it safe from harsh UV rays.
How can you find the best dermatologist near you in Westchester, IL?
Are you trying to find a dermatologist but need help figuring out where to start? With Zocdoc, you can easily find some of the best dermatologists in Westchester, Illinois, within minutes.
You can start by making a free Zocdoc account and entering details such as your location, condition, the specialist you seek, and preferred appointment date. If you have insurance coverage, you can search for in-network providers by including your insurance details. You will then receive an extensive list of highly rated specialists matching the criteria you entered.
If you cannot find your health plan in the drop-down menu, you can use the Zocdoc insurance detector. Follow the easy steps: Go to your account settings > Locate the insurance section > Upload a photo of your insurance card > Wait for Zocdoc to scan it > Receive your health plan details. You can add the information in the search bar and get the desired results. Remember to check out the Zocdoc patient help center page for insurance-related FAQs.
Each dermatologist on Zocdoc has a distinctive profile where you can learn about their educational and training backgrounds, board certifications, clinical specialties, experience, and accreditations.
You can also select the best dermatologist near you using the help of verified and up-to-date reviews and ratings left by their previous patients. Once you have picked the best-fit specialist for your needs and requirements, you can schedule a virtual or in-person appointment through Zocdoc.
All bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and free!
Skin cancer statistics for Illinois
New data gathered by the American Cancer Society shows that skin cancer or melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the United States, following breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung and bronchus cancer, and colon and rectum cancer.
The American Cancer Society states that there will be an estimated 4,220 new cases of melanoma of the skin in Illinois in 2025. The incidence rate for the condition in the state was around 23.4 per 100,000 population between 2017 and 2021. It also showed that melanoma's prevalence was higher in men (28.7 per 100,000) than in women (20 per 100,000) in the state.
The overall death rate in Illinois between 2018 and 2022 due to melanoma was close to 1.8 per 100,000 population. Its death rate was also higher in men (2.6 per 100,000) than in women (1.2 per 100,000) between 2018 and 2022.
Sources
Medical News Today
Cleveland Clinic
Mayo Clinic[1]
WebMD
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
Healthline
Verywell Health
SIU School of Medicine
National Cancer Institute
Cancer Statistics Center
MD Anderson Cancer Center
American Academy of Dermatology Association[1]
American Academy of Dermatology Association[2]
American Academy of Dermatology Association[3]
Mayo Clinic[2]
Mayo Clinic[3]
Mayo Clinic[4]
Mayo Clinic[5]
