Background & Scope

Dermatology is the medical specialty that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions that affect the skin, hair, nails and mucous membranes. Dermatology encompasses a wide range of skin diseases and disorders and includes cosmetic procedures and treatments to improve the appearance of skin.

Dermatology covers all aspects of skin health, including the diagnosis and treatment of common skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis, as well as more serious skin diseases such as melanoma. Dermatologists are also trained to treat hair and nail disorders, to diagnose and treat infections, and to provide skin cancer screenings.

In addition to diagnosis and treatment, dermatologists provide preventive care such as advice on sun protection and skin care. They may also perform cosmetic procedures such as laser treatments, chemical peels, and Botox injections.

Qualifications, Training, and Certifications

To become a dermatologist, a physician must complete a residency program in dermatology starting with one year in medicine. Board certification is attained by passing an examination given by the American Board of Dermatology (ABD).

Dermatologists may do further training in pediatric dermatology, Mohs surgery, dermatopathology, or cosmetic procedures.

Conditions, Diseases, Treatments, and Procedures

Dermatologists diagnose and treat benign issues such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and warts, as well as more serious conditions such as basal cell carcinoma and melanoma.

Dermatologists also perform procedures to treat the aforementioned conditions or enhance the appearance of skin. These include laser treatments, chemical peels, Botox injections, fillers, and microneedling.

Dermatologists are also trained to treat hair and nail disorders. Common issues include fungal infections, alopecia (hair loss), and nail deformities. Dermatologists may also perform hair restoration procedures such as scalp micropigmentation or hair transplants.

Related Medical Specialties

Dermatologists often work in collaboration with other specialists such as:

• Family medicine physicians

• Internists

• Pediatricians

• Dermatopathologists

• General surgeons

• Surgical oncologists

• Mohs surgeons

• Infectious disease physicians

• Pediatric infectious disease physicians

Medical-Legal Cases Involving Dermatology

Medical-legal cases involving dermatology can arise from a variety of circumstances, including misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose, failure to treat, and (particularly for cosmetic procedures) inadequate informed consent. Such cases can involve both medical and cosmetic dermatology procedures. A failure to diagnose and treat melanoma is among the worst of the cases.