If someone is experiencing issues with their skin, it is crucial to speak with a dermatologist at their earliest convenience. Dermatology is a particularly purposeful and vital field of medicine that provides individuals with a broad variety of services based on their skin. Here are reasons why you should consider and appreciate dermatology.

Preventative Skin Care

To begin, a dermatologist can provide patients with tips on how to prevent certain skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, and skin cancer. These experts can help with a customized care routine that will suit specific needs. This can be especially crucial for those who feel as though they have been struggling with their skin. Blemishes can greatly affect self-confidence, and thus, dermatologists help improve not only skincare but the quality of life.

Intensive Examinations

A dermatologist can take a closer look at any areas of your skin that are of concern. They can also perform regular full-body examinations to check for signs of skin cancer. Dermatology can be particularly important for those who regularly spend their time in direct sunlight, as they may become more susceptible to skin lesions and skin cancer than others. Because of this, dermatologists are extremely important.

Treatment Schedules and Planning

If you do have a skin condition, a dermatologist can provide you with various treatment options. These may include medicated creams or ointments, oral medications, light therapy, or even surgery in some cases. A capable dermatologist can be particularly valuable in helping manage long-term conditions and issues. They are involved in creating solutions and walking their patients through treatment. A great benefit of this career is that you can literally see the results in patients as time goes on.

Cosmetic Services

In addition to medical treatments, dermatologists can also provide aesthetic services such as botox injections, chemical peels, and laser hair removal. This broad range of services provides options for doctors to select what kind of treatment they want to offer and specialize in. They can also build skills in multiple areas and provide many types of services at their clinics.

Education Opportunities

A dermatologist can provide you with information on how to best take care of your skin, as well as answer any questions you may have about skin conditions or treatments. If you feel as though your skin has not been benefiting from previous treatments, a skin expert can help you learn more about what you can do in the future. Dermatologists help provide life-changing guidance.

How To Become a Dermatologist

Dermatologists provide wonderful services to a wide range of clients. Whether they’re helping someone detect skin cancer or performing laser hair removal, this career is full of purpose for many. If you’re thinking about pursuing this career, you’ll need to complete several major steps.

According to Medical University of The Americas, here are the steps in order:

—Earn a bachelor’s degree

—Pass the MCAT

—Attend medical school

—Pass the first two parts of the USMLE

—Finish your residency

—Pass the third part of the USMLE

—Gain licensure

—Become board certified

This might seem like a lot at first glance. It is twelve years, after all. However, these years will be filled with experiences, crucial learning, hands-on training, and more. Just focus on first steps, such as thinking about which aspects of dermatology you are most interested in and narrowing down medical schools to aim for.

There are four primary areas of dermatology. Aesthetic Dermatology deals with cosmetic issues, such as scars, wrinkles, and botox. Inpatient Dermatology helps with seriously ill patients and emergencies, providing services to hospitals. Surgical Dermatology interacts with in-office skin cancer removal procedures and patient treatment.  General/Medical Dermatology deals with the most common skin issues, such as acne, warts, rashes, and rosacea.

Once you narrow down which area of dermatology you would like to specialize in, it’s time to start thinking about med schools. Great schools to consider for dermatology are Stanford University, Yale University, The University of Michigan, and John Hopkins Medical School. Make sure to ask if their dermatology program has a focus on your specific specialization.

The average cost of tuition for this field of study ranges from 35,000 to 60,000 per year. This might seem daunting. However, it is good to remember that (as per the Occupational Outlook Handbook) the average rate per hour for dermatologists is $100, totaling $200,000 or more per year. Once you have completed your requirements to become a certified doctor, you can easily pay back your student loans.

This is a great career to invest your funds and life into. It may take years of hard work to achieve your own practice, but it will be well worth the effort! This is a career path that will change the lives of thousands of patients under your care.

Bio: Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball.