FAQs for Understanding Dermatologists

Dermatologists are medical physicians who specialize in diagnosing and treating skin, hair, nails, and mucus membrane diseases. According to our experts on dermatopathology in Pittsburgh, PA, some are also surgeons.

What is a dermatologist?

The skin is your biggest, weightiest organ and has many essential roles. For example, it insulates you from heat, cold, germs, and dangerous substances. It's also a significant indicator of your general health — shifts in the color or feeling of your skin can signify a medical issue. Therefore, it's important to take reasonable care of your skin and be mindful of its overall health. A dermatologist is a physician with skin, hair, and nail maintenance expertise. They're specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of skin, hair, and nail diseases, and they can address cosmetic conditions, including hair loss and skin imperfections.

What do dermatologists do?

Dermatologists analyze and treat skin problems. They also identify symptoms that emerge on your skin which may imply issues inside your body, like organ diseases or failures. Dermatologists frequently perform technical diagnostic processes related to skin disorders. They employ treatments including:

• Externally application or injectable medicines.
• Ultraviolet (UV) light therapy.
• Various Dermatologic surgical approaches, like mole removal and skin biopsies.
• Cosmetic techniques, like chemical peels, sclerotherapy, and laser therapies.

What training and qualifications do dermatologists have?

To be a dermatologist, physicians must complete the following:

• Four years in college.
• Four years in medical school.
• A one-year internship (training in dermatology and additional fields).
• A three-year residency (ongoing training focusing on the field of dermatology).
• A one or two-year fellowship. (This isn't mandatory, but it presents further training in dermatology subspecialties.)
• Licensing and certification. In the US, dermatologists must receive a license to practice medicine and pass their board certification exam from the American Board of Dermatology, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology.

What are standard conditions that dermatologists treat?

Some of the most typical conditions a dermatologist may treat are:

• Acne.
• Hair loss.
• Eczema.
• Nail fungus.
• Skin cancer.
• Psoriasis.
• Rosacea.

What kinds of procedures do dermatologists complete?

Standard procedures include:

• Electrosurgery involving the surgical usage of a high-frequency electric current to trim or eliminate tissue.
• Cryosurgery involving the surgical usage of intense cold to freeze and destroy tissue.
• Laser surgery involving the surgical usage of specific light beams.
• Excision surgery involving operating a sharp knife (scalpel) to remove tissue with suitable closures.
• Mohs surgery, a surgical technique that implicates a layer-by-layer expulsion of cancer cells from the skin.
• Mole removal involving the partial or complete removal of a mole from the body. They study the moles for cancer or other skin conditions.
• Vein treatment. After assessing your damaged veins, dermatologists might treat them with sclerotherapy or laser therapies.

What are some dermatology subspecialties?

Some dermatology subspecialties include:

• Dermatopathology.
• Pediatric dermatology.
• Mohs surgery.
• Cosmetic dermatology.

What is the distinction between a dermatologist and an esthetician?

Estheticians are not medical physicians. They cannot diagnose skin conditions or prescribe pharmaceuticals. They can only assist with treatments that impact the appearance of the skin.

We hope these FAQs help you better understand dermatologists. Contact us today if you need dermatopathology in Pittsburgh, PA.