Flawless skin is so desired by humans that it is one of the first phrases used in our culture to describe beautiful people, but how can one obtain flawless skin? Well, the first step is to make sure that great care is taken of the skin. Aside from the preventative measures, a dermatologist can help ameliorate skin damage. Dermatology is a branch of medicine which specializes in the treatment of skin. It is very important to know what type of dermatologist one should look for before making any appointments.
There are three branches of dermatology. The first branch is Cosmetic dermatology. Per the name, cosmetic dermatology deals with treatments which aim to improve the appearance of the skin, hair, and nails. Common treatments within this branch would be the use of chemical peels, lasers, Botox, and fillers to treat blemishes, wrinkles, and the like. Since these treatments are almost never medically relevant, they are typically considered to be elective procedures and might not be covered by insurance.
The second branch of dermatology is Medical dermatology. In medical dermatology, the dermatologist diagnoses treat and tries to prevent conditions of the skin, hair, and nails. A medical dermatologist will often see cases of skin cancers, rosacea, sun damage, rashes, lupus, and the like.
Despite most of these ailments having a definite negative effect on the appearance of the skin, they would be treated by a medical dermatologist instead of a cosmetic dermatologist because each of them is a major health concern. Since medical dermatologist deals with major illnesses, they are generally covered by insurance.
The final branch of dermatology is surgical dermatology. In surgical dermatology, the dermatologist will use surgical methods to correct skin problems. A surgical dermatologist is sometimes utilized after a medical dermatologist diagnoses an issue and determines that medical interventions will not be effective. Other times, a cosmetic dermatologist might enlist the help of a surgical dermatologist to treat cosmetic issues.
It is also important to make sure that a dermatologist is a board certified before seeking their help. The board certification process is undertaken in addition to the doctor’s schooling, internship, and residency. Additionally, a board-certified dermatologist must require their title every ten years, ensuring that they are still on the cutting edge of the trade.
Patients are typically referred to a dermatologist by their primary care physician. This ensures that the dermatologist is needed and that they are likely to be in the patient’s insurance network. There are, however, some instances where a patient should make an appointment directly with the dermatologist. These instances are generally when there is evidence that a major medical issue is present, such as lesions or changes in coloration, size, or texture or a mole or bump. In these cases, it is possible that skin cancer is forming, and this would necessitate immediate action by the dermatologist.
In these cases where the primary care physician is not consulted, the patient can use the American Academy of Dermatology’s online database to find a dermatologist in a nearby zip code. If the patient is in the area code 75231, for instance, they would find North Dallas Dermatology is a nearby provider.
Despite the ability to have dermatologists fix one’s skin issues, one’s the best course of action is still to protect their skin to reduce the likelihood of skin ailments developing. More information about preventative measures can be found on the American Academy of Dermatology’s website.