A professional dermatologist accomplishes many different types of procedures and consults a wide diversity of patients in order to generally improve the health and appearance of the skin. Dermatology is a broad kind of practice that can focus on chronic disease and serious health conditions, or on more routine family practice consultations for various skin rashes, or on cosmetic practices that have little to do with medical necessity.
Qualified dermatologists often work in specialty practices that address the kinds of procedures and issues which doctors are most equipped to handle. These specialty practices will typically market themselves to a particular kind of patient in a specific kind of situation, whether it’s a need for specialized medical attention or a need for quality cosmetic dermatology work.
In the course of their job, dermatologists may consult with many patients and inspect them for changes to the skin, including benign or malignant growths or neoplasms, as well as discolorations or other changes. Dermatologists should be able to correctly diagnose many different kinds of skin rashes such as hives and allergic sensitivities and natural reactions to plants like poison ivy or poison oak or nettles. Dermatologists may also consult on bug bites and other kinds of interactive rashes or skin conditions that can be appropriately treated – in looking at many of these skin changes, doctors will also be on the lookout for any signs of various skin cancers including dangerous melanoma.
On the cosmetic dermatology side, dermatologists may use practices like laser treatments or radio energy treatments, or injections or surgeries, to craft a new look for areas of the body. Some of these work on the surface of the skin while others manipulate areas underneath the skin for a specific cosmetic result. These cosmetic surgeries may require significant recovery time or have various side effects that doctors need to explore with a patient before going ahead with surgery or any other procedure. Some of them may require anesthesia or specific pre-surgery directions for patients.
In addition to the above, qualified dermatologists may do a lot of both minor and major surgeries. Minor surgeries can involve procedures such as cutting off or otherwise removing unwanted growths for inspection in a lab to rule out skin cancer – major surgeries may involve handling serious burns or other injuries to the skin, where dermatologists may use skin grafts to replace damaged areas of the skin.
Professional dermatologists train and prepare for all of these sorts of roles in order to serve a community as qualified medical professionals. These doctors provide these specialized services that support the health and wellness of one of the most important areas of the body, supporting family practice doctors and others that may refer patients to a dermatology specialist for consultations or procedures. Like most specialists, where you are most likely to find a specialty dermatologist is NYC, where there are so many medical professionals of the top grade. Seek far and wide for the most qualified before you commit to be treated.
