Blog

What Is A Dermatologist And What Services Do They Provide?

what is a dermatologist

A dermatologist is a doctor who specialises in caring for skin, hair, and nails. 

A dermatologist must receive additional training that allows them to diagnose and treat a variety of new medical conditions, such as skin cancers, moles, and specific infectious diseases. 

Some of them are also trained to utilise certain surgical techniques. 

A pediatric dermatologist is one who receives special training that will allow them to diagnose and treat skin conditions found more often in children.

Most services offered by a dermatologist will fall into one of several categories. They include:

There are some additional services offered by dermatologists that expand beyond these categories. 

For now, let’s take a closer look at these particular services and what they entail.

1. General Dermatology

As the name implies, this is a broad category of services that involves diagnosing and treating a number of potential skin conditions. 

It may also include minor services of a cosmetic nature. These services are intended to improve the appearance of your skin, nails, or hair. 

Some of the conditions that can be treated with general services include warts, rosacea, and birthmarks.

It’s possible for a condition to be severe enough that it requires special attention and additional treatment. 

A dermatologist may have specialised equipment or treatment plans available for severe acne, hair loss, or dermatitis. 

That is why these services are listed independently on most websites.

2. Acne Treatment

Specialised acne treatment is one of the most commonly required services offered by a dermatologist. 

Most forms of acne treatment begin with the prescription of a simple topical solution. 

If that doesn’t work, then the dermatologist will need to prescribe different medications as they attempt to target the source of the acne. 

There’s no one single form of acne treatment that will work for every patient.

3. Dermatitis Treatment

Dermatitis is a fairly common condition where the skin may become red and sore due to an outside allergen. 

There may also be small blisters that appear in the affected areas.  

Atopic dermatitis is the long-lasting variation that can flare up periodically for seemingly random reasons. Atopic dermatitis is particularly common with infants.

Treatment will generally involve a combination of topical ointments and medications. The rash itself will need to be treated as soon as possible. 

Ignoring the treatment of dermatitis can lead to permanent damage.

4. Hair Loss

Hair loss is one of the many different hair-related conditions that can be addressed at a dermatologist. 

How exactly this condition is treated varies from one patient to the next. It will depend on the patient’s age, sex, and the cause of hair loss. 

It is a developing field that has advanced tremendously in the past decade. 

There are now a number of potential treatments that can reduce hair loss and encourage new hair growth in a short amount of time.

5. Skin Cancer

This is the most serious condition that a dermatologist will have to treat. 

They can also help patients reduce their risk of developing skin cancer by educating them during their scheduled visits. 

A dermatologist is trained to handle basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer, and melanoma; the latter of which is a very dangerous condition.

The Job Of A Dermatologist

Many people go their entire lives without visiting a dermatologist. That can be a big mistake. 

They perform very important work and the services listed above are only a portion of what they provide. 

It’s a good idea to schedule a visit with a local dermatologist if you have not done so already.

Searching for and finding a trustworthy dermatologist in Melbourne isn’t easy. 

However, if you need to seek advice from a trusted and experienced dermatologist, look no further than Brighton Dermatology.

We are able to deal with a large range of skin diseases and disorders and help you to restore your health and confidence. 

Please call us today for a consultation on (03) 9592 7474.