Dermatologist: Role, Dermatology, Education Requirements, Techniques, Salary

What is a Dermatologist Overview

Dermatology is a branch of medicine concerned with the study of skin, hair, and nails. Dermatologists are specialists who specialize in problems affecting the skin and hair. A dermatologist can treat problems with the hair, scalp, and nails.

Students interested in becoming dermatologists can enroll in a variety of dermatology courses, ranging from a diploma to a Ph.D. Dermatology courses that are often pursued include BSc Dermatology and MSc Dermatology. Admission to these degrees is done through entrance tests; other universities award admission based on merit. Students can pursue their degrees at some of the best dermatology colleges in India. However, with more experience, education, and updated abilities, a dermatologist's average income might reach INR 19.67 LPA.

What is a Dermatologist?

A dermatologist is a medical specialist who specializes in skin, hair, and nail diseases. No one understands their skin, hair, and nails better than a board-certified dermatologist, whether it's rashes, wrinkles, psoriasis, or melanoma. Dermatologists are highly skilled medical doctors and skin surgeons with the knowledge and expertise to provide the finest possible treatment for the organs they care for.

Dermatologist Quick Facts 

The following table gives quick facts about dermatologists-

What is Dermatology?

Dermatology is a branch of medicine that focuses on problems with the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes. The skin is the body's biggest organ. It also serves as the first line of defense against viruses and damage, and it can serve as a sign of general health.

Dermatologist Highlights

The following tables highlight some details about how to become a dermatologist-

The below table gives details about dermatologist occupation and dermatologist description-

What does a Dermatologist do?

A board-certified dermatologist has significant training, allowing them to reliably diagnose and treat over 3,000 skin, hair, and nail illnesses and aesthetic problems. If one wants to see a dermatologist at work on any given day, one may notice the following-

1. Treat a baby's prominent birthmark that is endangering the child's vision.
2. Determine the life-threatening liver ailment that is causing a grandfather's excruciating itching.
3. Treat a one ng woman's hair loss to give her the courage to look for work.
4. Remove a mother's fatal melanoma while it is still in its early, curable stage.
5. Provide assistance to a student whose persistent eczema makes sleeping difficult.
6. One can understand the difference between dermatologists and the distinction between minor and significant issues.

Dermatologists realize that skin conditions can have major consequences for health and well-being. A skin disorder may be the first indicator of a significant underlying health problem, and a dermatologist may be the first to recognize it. Diabetes and heart disease, for example, might manifest themselves on the skin.

A dermatologist understands that a skin disease does not have to be life-threatening in order to have an impact on a person's quality of life. Skin disease can lead to sleep loss, poor self-image, major depression, and decreased productivity. Eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis), scarring hair loss, and psoriasis is all disorders that can cause this.

Dermatologist Education Requirements

No one has greater training than a board-certified dermatologist when it comes to diagnosing and treating skin, hair, and nail disorders. Dermatologists must complete more than a decade of training before they can practice.

The following are the educational requirements to become a dermatologist-

1. A bachelor's degree requires four years of college.
2. To become a doctor, one must complete four years of medical school.
3. A one-year medical internship
4. Three years of dermatology residency, working with experienced doctors and completing 12,000 to 16,000 hours of patient care.
5. Some dermatologists will subsequently pursue advanced training in a specific area. This is referred to as "fellowship training."

Steps to Become a Dermatologist

Here are some of the steps that must be taken in order to become a dermatologist; these may differ from candidate to candidate, but they are generally the same.

Step 1 - Make a Decision: Students who want to be dermatologists should make a decision as early as 10th grade. They should be really enthusiastic about dermatology. As a result, the decision should be made early in school, so that when they complete 10+2 in biology and do well in admissions tests.

Step 2 - Make the Right Subject Choices: Biology classes in 10th grade will help students become dermatologists. A dermatologist applicant must have a 10+2 with biology studies. Learning about various skin illnesses, hair, nails, and other pertinent things can also come in handy during the admissions test.

Step 3 - Entrance Exam Preparation: Interested individuals might get admission to the MBBS program through the National Eligibility Cumulative Entrance Test (NEET 2023). Candidates must sit the AIIMS 2023 entrance test to be admitted to a medical seat at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Other universities/institutions hold their own medical entrance tests for student admission. The admissions procedure differs for each college.

Step 4 - College Selection: The candidate should be familiar with the schools that offer the course and should have a list of universities that he or she favors above the rest. Dermatology-related courses are available at a number of schools.

Also read more about the- Best Dermatologists in India.

How to Become a Board-Certified Dermatologist?

To become board certified in dermatology, one must first-

1. Attend medical school and eventually become a doctor.
2. Finishing dermatology residency training successfully.
3. Passing the board exam is a difficult exam that assesses the dermatologist's knowledge and abilities gained over their years of training.

The dermatologist is board certified if he or she passes the board exam. Board certification is granted by one of three organizations-

1. The American Academy of Dermatology
2. Dermatology Board of the American Osteopathic Association
3. Canadian Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons

When a dermatologist is a board certified by one of these organizations, one may be confident that one is receiving care from someone who has received the most rigorous education in the profession. There are other types of boards, and other credentials do not represent the same degree of training and knowledge.

How to Become a Dermatologist in India?

If an aspirant wishes to become a dermatologist in India, he or she needs to do the following-

1. Preparation for Secondary School: The applicant can prepare for a career as a dermatologist by following the stages outlined below throughout their academic years.
2. The student must complete Class 12 with Biology and other related topics.
3. The student should have a significant interest in public health and other related areas.
4. Students must pass their 12th grade examinations with the required grades and then excel in the admission tests.

How to determine if a dermatologist is Board Certified?

When one sees the initials FAAD behind a dermatologist's name, one knows they are board certified. FAAD is an abbreviation for Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Who are Dermatopathologists?

A dermatopathologist is a dermatologist who also practices pathology. Knowing two professions enables this doctor to identify ailments by using a microscope to examine a piece of excised skin, hair, or nail.

Common Conditions Treated by Dermatologist 

A dermatologist can diagnose and treat more than 3,000 conditions that affect the skin, nails, and hair. Some of the most common conditions they treat include-

1. Acne
2. Autoimmune diseases
3. Dermatitis
4. Hair loss
5. Hemangioma
6. Itchy skin
7. Moles
8. Nail conditions
9. Psoriasis
10. Skin Cancer
11. Skin Infections
12. Spiders and varicose veins

Dermatologists Techniques

The following are some of the common techniques used by dermatologists-

1. Electrosurgery is the surgical application of a high-frequency electric current to cut or destroy tissue.
2. Cryosurgery is the surgical application of intense cold to freeze and destroy tissue.
3. Excision surgery involves excising (removing by cutting) tissue with suitable closures using a sharp knife (scalpel).
4. Laser surgery is the surgical application of specific laser beams.
5. Mohs surgery is a surgical method that includes the removal of cancer cells from the skin.
6. Mole removal involves the partial or complete removal of a mole from one's body. They examine the mole for signs of malignancy or other skin problems.
7. Dermatologists may use sclerotherapy or laser treatments to repair damaged veins after assessing them.

Dermatology Subspecialty Fields

Some dermatology subspecialty fields include-

1. Cosmetic dermatology
2. Dermatopathology
3. Mohs surgery
4. Pediatric dermatology

Important Things to Consider Before Visiting a Dermatologist

The following are a few things one should consider before going to the dermatologist-

1. Every inch of one's skin will be examined by the doctor. 
2. Remove any nail paint and wear your long hair down. 
3. If one arrives with makeup on, one may be requested to take it off. 
4. One may be asked to remove their clothing and put on a paper robe in the exam room.
5. The dermatologist will most likely begin by reviewing your medical and health history. 
6. They will also go over any specific symptoms one may be having. 
7. Then they'll inspect one's skin from head to toe, looking for anything out of the ordinary. 
8. They will also address any particular issues one may have.
9. If the dermatologist discovers anything concerning, they will diagnose it. 
10. This may need blood tests, allergy testing, a skin scrape, or a biopsy in some cases. 
11. They will next provide treatment suggestions, which may involve prescription drugs or other treatments. 
12. One may then be asked to make an appointment for a follow-up visit.

Dermatologist Salary Structure 2023

The following table shows the salary structure of dermatologists in India 2023-

Organization-Wise Salary Structure of Dermatologist

Experience-Wise Salary Structure of Dermatologist

Dermatologists Top Recruiters

The following are the top recruiters-

1. Artemis
2. Kay Clinic
3. Apollo Hospitals
4. Indian Armed Forces Medical Services
5. Fortis
6. Max Hospital

Things to Remember

1. Dermatologists are medical specialists that specialize in skin health.
2. It is critical to discuss one's physical symptoms and how their illness is impacting them with their dermatologist.
3. Search for a dermatologist by location and area of expertise using the Find a dermatologist directory.