The skin is the body’s largest organ, performing a protective role in one’s health. Dermatology is the medical field that addresses the full range of conditions that affect the skin, and its care ranges from persistent rashes and hair loss to skin cancer and cosmetic concerns. Understanding what dermatology covers can help you make informed decisions about your skin health with a dermatologist.
What Is Dermatology?
Dermatology is the branch of medicine focused on diagnosing and treating conditions of the skin, hair, and nails. A dermatologist is trained to evaluate both the medical and functional aspects of skin health. Medical dermatology addresses diseases, infections, growths, and inflammatory conditions that affect a patient’s health. Cosmetic dermatology targets the appearance of the skin, and this includes concerns related to tone, texture, and visible signs of aging.
What Does It Treat?
Dermatology covers a wide spectrum of conditions, some of which are brief and self-resolving, while others require sustained, long-term care. Common inflammatory conditions include acne, which involves clogged pores and varying degrees of inflammation, and eczema, which is marked by dry and itchy skin that may flare with certain triggers. Psoriasis is an immune-related condition that produces thick, scaly patches on the skin’s surface. Rosacea, which causes facial redness and visible blood vessels, also falls within this category.
Dermatologists also treat infections of the skin, hair, and nails. These can be viral, such as warts, or fungal, such as athlete’s foot and nail infections. Hair loss is another frequent concern, and it may stem from genetics, hormonal changes, or other conditions. Dermatologists also evaluate and manage pigmentary disorders. Skin growths represent another area of practice. These include benign lesions such as moles, and they can include malignant conditions like skin cancer.
What Treatments Fall Under It?
Medical treatments may include prescription topicals applied to the skin, oral medications, or injections directed at specific areas of concern. Cryotherapy, which uses extreme cold to destroy unwanted tissue, is commonly used for warts and certain benign growths. Dermatologists may offer cosmetic serivces, and common procedures include:
- Laser and IPL therapies targeting pigment or scar tissue
- PRP, in which concentrated platelets from the patient’s own blood are applied or injected into a treatment area
- Chemical peels to address uneven skin tone and surface texture
- Fillers and neurotoxins, which address volume loss and expression lines respectively
Treatment plans are typically individualized, and a dermatologist may recommend a combination of approaches based on the specific condition, its severity, and the patient’s overall health profile.
Find the Right Dermatologist
Dermatology encompasses many areas of focus, and providers can develop particular expertise in one or more of them. Some specialize in medical conditions such as skin diseases. Others may perform cosmetic procedures. When attending a first appointment, bringing a brief history of your concern, including when it began and how it has changed, can provide a dermatologist with useful context. Regular self-examination of the skin is also widely recommended, with particular attention to any spot that is new, enlarging, or shifting in color or shape.