What is a dermatologist?
A dermatologist is a specialist skin, hair and nail doctor who has completed not only their medical degree, but several extra years of training. Not everyone is accepted to be a dermatologist; a medical student must become a doctor at a teaching hospital, then apply to be accepted to further study.
A dermatologist can diagnose, treat and prevent about 3,000 skin diseases, but a dermatologist can also improve the appearance of your skin, hair and nails, including modifying scarring.
About the skin and how dermatology works
We are covered from head to toe in several layers of skin, which acts as a barrier to the outside world. Our skin is subjected to the outside world – physical, chemical and biological intrusions and it protects the rest of our body from these intrusions. This makes the skin one of the most important organs we have.
‘Skin’ can also include the ‘wet’ parts of our bodies, since this tissue is also part of our dermal protection. This might include eyelids, nose, genitals or the mouth, though these also have crossover with gynaecologists, nose and throat specialists, optometrists or dentists.
About a tenth of those seeing their regular doctor will be doing so because they have a skin problem. It could range from acne to dandruff to toenail fungus and everything in between. Once your regular GP has assessed the problem, a dermatologist may be recommended to assist with treatments or diagnosis.
The word dermatology can be broken down into its two Ancient Greek parts:
derma – the skin
ology – the study of
“Dermatology involves but is not limited to study, research, and diagnosis of normal and disorders, diseases, cancers, cosmetic and ageing conditions of the skin, fat, hair, nails and oral and genital membranes, and the management of these by different investigations and therapies”
Who can see a dermatologist?
Anyone can see a dermatologist, but in Australia, a doctor is most likely to refer you. Specialist dermatologists can be sought independently for treatment by anyone – our Enrich clinic takes bookings from the general public for consultations with our specialist dermatologists.
We have patients of all ages, including babies, teens and the elderly.
What do dermatologists spend most of their time on?
Dermatologists, due to our Australian climate, often deal with the negative effects of sun on skin. That is, sun damage causing wrinkles, moles, freckles, sunspots and cancers. dermatologists also treat and manage a huge variety of skin, scalp, hair and nail problems.
What is cosmetic dermatology?
Cosmetic dermatology is focused on the appearance of skin rather than a disease per se. Some of our most popular treatments are actually cosmetic dermatology procedures that improve the appearance of the skin, such as cosmetic dermal treatments and skin rejuvenation, skin needling and other laser treatments. We can address wrinkles, blemishes, liver spots, sagging skin, sun-damaged skin, and lips that have lost their fullness, for example.
What are the different types of dermatology and dermatologist?
