The American Academy of Dermatology states that dermatologists are skilled in recognizing and treating more than 3,000 distinct skin, hair, and nail disorders in patients of all ages. Acne, skin cancer, rashes, dermatitis, nail infections, psoriasis, and eczema are common disorders that dermatologists diagnose and treat. Aesthetic issues like wrinkles and hair loss could potentially be addressed by them.
Differences Between Dermatology and Dermatopathology
People sometimes mix up dermatology with dermatopathology because both specialties deal with the skin. Skin, hair, and nail disorders are studied, diagnosed, and treated in dermatology. Dermatologists also may undertake procedures such as hair transplants; wrinkle lowering injections such as BOTOX®; the removal of tattoos, burn or scar tissue, or skin cancer; and tissue sample or Mohs surgery to analyze skin cells for cancer or other underlying disorders.
Dermatopathology is the study and diagnosis of disorders in tissue samples. Dermatopathologists are trained in both dermatology and pathology and possess these skills. Typically, they conduct molecular analyses of tissue samples under a microscope in a laboratory setting to make diagnoses. A pathology report is used to communicate the diagnosis to the patient, dermatologist, and medical staff.
Dermatology Education and Training
Dermatologists go through four years of medical school or osteopathic medical school, a year of internship, and at least three more years of resident training. During this time, they work with senior physicians to obtain firsthand experience providing patient treatment.
Doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO) or medical doctors (MDs) can practice dermatology (DOs). Some dermatologists additionally pursue fellowship training in advanced dermatology or a specific specialty, which allows them to increase their knowledge, experience, and level of specialization in a particular field.
- Cosmetic dermatology: Cosmetic dermatology focuses on treating skin, hair, and nail disorders for aesthetic reasons. Cosmetic dermatologists are experts in performing various surgeries and treatments, such as:
- Laser hair removal
- Hair implants
- Removal of scars, burned skin, wrinkles, birthmarks, tattoos, brown spots, or sunspots
- Varicose vein treatment
- Fat removal
- CoolSculpting®
- Injectable fillers
- BOTOX® and other neurotoxin injections
- Skin tightening
- Dermatopathology: Dermatopathology is the study and diagnosis of issues with tissue samples. Dermatopathologists have had pathology and dermatology training. They frequently perform their work in a laboratory, where they analyze tissue samples at the molecular level to determine the condition.
- Mohs surgery: Specially trained dermatologists (referred to as “Mohs surgeons”) may perform Mohs surgery, a delicate skin-removal operation, in some cases of skin cancer.
- Each time a thin layer of skin is removed during a Mohs procedure, the Mohs surgeon examines it under a microscope to check for malignant cells. The surgeon can use this procedure to just remove malignant skin and tissue while leaving healthy tissue alone.
- Mohs surgery is particularly beneficial for the face and hands because of the tighter skin there.
- Pediatric dermatology: The diagnosis and treatment of children’s skin, hair, and nail issues are areas in that pediatric dermatologists receive further training. The American Academy of Dermatology states that while all dermatologists are qualified to care for children, a pediatric dermatologist may be more suited for children’s skin, hair, or nail issues or rare disorders. the following are typical pediatric dermatologic issues:
- Acne
- Birthmarks
- Allergic contact dermatitis
- Diaper rash
- Chickenpox
- Hives
- Eczema
- Molluscum contagiosum
- Scabies
- Skin infections
- Vitiligo
- Perioral dermatitis
- Psoriasis
- Moles
- Skin reactions
- Scars
- Burns
The Dermatology-Body Connection
A dermatologist might, on any given day, identify an underlying liver or allergic disease (because it has caused itchy skin); remove an ingrown hair; check for Lyme disease in a patient who has a rash or tick bite; or take a tissue sample (biopsy) from a fingernail, scalp, or mole to check for cancer.
Dermatologists can also take care of their patients’ outward look without treating underlying diseases, such as psoriasis, eczema, or cancer. This is the case, for instance, when they use laser hair removal or inject neurotoxins like BOTOX®.
Individuals can choose the appropriate dermatologist or course of treatment for them based on their particular symptoms, general health, and treatment objectives.
Treating a Broad Range of Dermatology Conditions
More than 3,000 skin, hair, and nail disorders can be diagnosed by dermatologists and treated. These are some of the ailments, remedies, and groups:
Cosmetic Dermatology
- Laser-assisted liposuction
- Laser hair removal
- Laser rejuvenation
- Laser resurfacing
- Microdermabrasion
- Non-surgical facelift
- Scar removal
- Tattoo removal
- Acne treatment
- Birthmark removal
- BOTOX® treatment
- Chemical peels
- Collagen and fillers
- Cosmetic laser surgery
- Facial rejuvenation
Hair and nail disorders
- Nail diseases
- Nail problems due to cancer therapy
- Scalp disorders
- Skin cancer of the scalp or nail bed
- Alopecia
- Alopecia areata
- Hair loss
- Hair problems due to cancer therapy
- Hair restoration or transplant
- Hirsutism (excessive body hair)
Skin and other conditions relevant to dermatology
- Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
- Dermatitis
- Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
- Dermatomyositis
- Dysplastic nevi
- Eczema
- Henoch-Schonlein purpura
- AIDS
- Atopic dermatitis
- Autoimmune diseases
- Blistering diseases
- Bullous pemphigoid
- Connective-tissue disorders
- Contact dermatitis
- Cutaneous lymphoma
- Cutaneous sarcoidosis
- Hidradenitis suppurativa
- HIV
- Hyperbaric medicine
- Hyperhidrosis
- Axillary curettage
- BOTOX® therapy
- Ichthyosis
- Immune deficiencies
- Infectious diseases
- Leg ulcers
- Leprosy
- Lyme disease
- Melanoma
- Psoriasis
- Urticaria
- Varicose veins
- Vasculitis
- Vitiligo
- Warts
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Rare skin disorders
- Raynaud’s disease
- Reconstructive surgery
- Rheumatologic dermatology
- Rosacea
- Scleroderma
- Sclerotherapy
- Morphea
- Mucus membrane disorders
- Muir-Torre syndrome
- Mycosis fungoides
- Pemphigus
- Photosensitivity diseases
- Phototherapy
- Pigmented lesions
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
- Pseudoxanthoma elasticum
- Skin cancer
- Skin infections
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Tuberous sclerosis
Dermatology Tests, Procedures, and Surgeries
Dermatologists carry out a wide range of examinations, procedures, and operations. They consist of:
- CoolSculpting® and other non-invasive, energy-based body-contouring technologies
- Hair transplants
- Injections of fillers and neurotoxins, such as BOTOX®
- Injections to minimize the appearance of scars
- Injections to treat acne
- Injections to treat hair loss
- Injections to treat nail conditions
- Laser hair removal
- Laser removal of brown spots, broken capillaries, sunspots, and birthmarks
- Laser removal of wrinkles and scars
- Mohs surgery
- Nail biopsies
- Non-invasive skin tightening using micro-focused ultrasound (MFU)
- Non-Mohs skin cancer surgery
- Skin biopsies
- Surgery for cancer of the nail
- Treatment of problematic/varicose leg veins
Dermatologists may make diagnoses and offer treatment for more serious, systemic health disorders since the skin can reflect a range of inside processes. In reality, the skin or nails may show early indications or symptoms of disorders like anemia, liver disease, Lyme disease, psoriasis, and several autoimmune diseases.