Dermatologist

Three Ways Dermatology Might Change in the Future

Currently, millions of people around the world turn to dermatologist clinics to treat a variety of medical conditions and cosmetic concerns affecting their skin. Many of these patients may be seeking treatment for acne, an extremely common skin problem that can affect everyone from teenagers to the middle-aged and can typically be treated with a variety of acne treatment products and procedures.

Others, meanwhile, will seek care for conditions like skin cancer and psoriasis, which affect more than 9.5 million people in the United States. More people still will be interested in cosmetic procedures, such as hair loss treatments, a popular option for the more than 50% of men who will experience male pattern baldness by their 50th birthday. With the wide number of people who visit local dermatologists, it isn't surprising that the industry is constantly improving and expanding, offering more opportunities to patients and doctors alike.

However, this raises questions about what shape dermatology will take in the future. Will we all work with online dermatologists and give ourselves at-home laser acne treatments? Or will the traditional structure continue?

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has some ideas. According to their magazine,Dermatology World, a number of changes are currently brewing in the industry that could mean serious changes for the future. Read on to learn how your trip to the dermatologist might differ in years to come.

Payment
While dermatology currently isn't covered under reforms like the Affordable Care Act, the skin care epidemic and other factors have made dermatology a target for changes in the way we pay for healthcare. While practices presently use a "fee for service" model, the AAD reports that a number of insurance companies and clinics have started considering value-based payment models, accountable care, and more. While it's impossible to guess which direction the industry will move in, a change in how you pay for your skin care is highly likely.

Online Services
At least one app already offers online dermatologists for conditions like acne, but most of the industry is more likely to begin offering online scheduling tools, improved communication methods, and an increased focus on telemedicine, which offers new opportunities for payment, prescriptions and more. In a few years, a patient who might be experiencing an allergic reaction to their medication might be able to video-chat with their doctor, be prescribed a different medication, and schedule a follow-up appointment in person in a matter of minutes, simply by using their smartphone or computer.

Treatments
One of the most exciting changes the dermatology industry is likely to see is the arrival of new tools, procedures, and treatment products. For example, photo recognition software might be used to better track patient progress and identify solutions to their skin problems. Additionally, research into the human genome and various skin conditions has the potential to create more targeted medications and better treatment regimens.

While it is impossible to predict the exact ways dermatology will change in coming years, there is no doubt that the industry will evolve and thrive to better meet the needs of patients. Whether that means switching to online dermatologists or simply improving payment methods, the potential benefits and opportunities are limitless. Are you ready for the skin care of the future?

by Bishara Gattas

Female patient receiving dermatology treatment

Three Tips to Help Find the Best Dermatologist for You

If you are prone to acne outbreaks that can be difficult to treat and do not respond to acne treatment products, you are not alone: more than 85% of people will develop acne at some point in their lives, with more than 40 million Americans affected today. While acne and acne scarring are most common during adolescence, adults in their 20s, 30s, 40s and even 50s can develop the skin condition as well. If you have this common skin problem, you likely have heard that scientific research has lead to many new acne therapies and dermatologist acne treatments that may be able to help you. But how do you find the best rated dermatologist in your area, a skin specialist who will work with you to unveil beautiful, healthy skin? Read these tips to find out!

Know the Type of Dermatologist That is Right For You
There are generally two types of skin specialists: general dermatologists and cosmetic dermatologists. Some practices will act as a combination of the two types, but the rest can often be easily classified by the services they offer. General dermatologists, for example, offer treatment for acne, rashes, hair loss and common skin problems, as well as skin maps to check for skin cancer. Cosmetic dermatologists, however, offer more advanced treatments for everything from deep-set wrinkles to severe acne, and typically use peels, injections and lasers to yield more dramatic results. Search for a dermatologist who offers the services you need.

Check Out Their Background
The best rated dermatologists often have a background that matches their skill level, so look at a dermatologist clinic's website to see how the specialist was trained and licensed. Keep an eye out for board certifications from the American Association of Dermatology (AAD), as well as a formal education in dermatology. Surprisingly, a high number of dermatologists originally studied other medical fields and only opened dermatology clinics to earn a profit, making them an inadvisable choice to help treat your skin.

Go In for a Consultation
Make an appointment to discuss your skin with a dermatologist at the practice. While it may be inconvenient, take it as a good sign if you have to wait a few weeks to see someone: this means that the services are trusted and therefore in high demand. At your appointment, ask lots of questions and listen carefully to how the dermatologist responds. What treatment do they recommend? Would they be conducting the procedure themselves, or merely supervising? While this consultation usually isn't free, it is extremely useful and the fee is typically put towards the cost of a procedure.

Whether you have acne, psoriasis, or another skin condition, finding the right dermatologist can have a significant effect on your self esteem, comfort and daily life. With the right treatment, you can reveal the beautiful, healthy skin you have always wanted. And by following the tips above, you can find a specialist who is not only the best rated dermatologist in your area, but also the best for you and your unique case.

by Bishara Gattas

Four Important Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Dermatologist

Skin conditions are an unfortunately common problem in the United States. Research shows that around 50 million Americans suffer from acne, 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis, and as many as one in five people will develop skin cancer over the course of their lifetime. To treat these conditions, many people will visit a dermatologist clinic for treatment over the course of their lives. But how do you find the best dermatologist for you? By asking these four questions, you can typically determine if a dermatologist has the expertise that you can trust, or if you would be better off choosing another doctor.

  1. Is There a Doctor On Site? The amount of time a doctor spends on site is regulated at the state level and differs accordingly. However, some dermatologists leave much of the day-to-day work to technicians. And while the technicians may be very qualified, the absence of a doctor leads to logical questions about the quality of the clinic's service, the treatment you will receive, and the trust you can place in the establishment.
  2. Is the Doctor Board-Certified in Dermatology? Shockingly, there is no law requiring that a doctor be certified or trained in dermatological medicine. And due to the high profits associated with cosmetic dermatology, some physicians set up dermatologist clinics without actual experience or knowledge of skin disorders. Whether you're interested in acne treatment products or treating skin cancer, these uncertified clinics do not deserve your trust or your business.
  3. How Long Have They Been in Business? While it may not be fair to assume that a new business might not have the expertise to properly treat skin disorders, research shows that many new dermatologist clinics and skin care centers fail after only a few years. The best dermatologists will have demonstrated excellent customer service and a proven ability to treat skin conditions, and will therefore have avoided this fate. Look for a clinic that has been in business for five or more years.
  4. Who Will Be Performing the Procedure? It is reasonable for experienced technicians to perform a number of fairly non-invasive treatments, such as laser acne treatment and laser varicose vein treatments. However, these technicians should be certified, trained and be able to prove their ability to successfully perform the procedure. And if the procedure is surgical in nature, it should be performed by a doctor.

by Bishara Gattas

Do You Need a Dermatologist?

There are a number of skin conditions that a person may contract over the course of their lives, from acne, which affects nearly 85% of people at some point during their lifetime, or skin cancer, which will affect an estimated one in five Americans. Fortunately, for the skin conditions that require clinical help, dermatologist specialists offer a number of treatment options for a wide array of skin problems. These range from aesthetic issues, like varicose vein laser treatments, to serious medical problems, such as melanoma and other forms of skin cancer. Can a dermatologist treat your skin condition? Read on to find out.

Research shows that an estimated 7,575 dermatologist clinics in the United States offering treatments for skin problems. One of the most common disorders these clinics treat is acne, which affects an estimated 40 million to 50 million Americans. Many of the people affected by this condition are teenagers: by their mid-teens, more than 40% of adolescents will have acne or acne scarring. However, acne occur at almost any age, and as a result, there are a number of different acne treatment products and methods available. This includes everything from common topical products or even laser acne treatments. A skin care specialist will prescribe a treatment regimen based on the individual needs of the patients that will use different products and combinations of treatments to best rid the patient of their acne.

Skin care specialists also treat a variety of other skin issues, including those which develop in reaction to other, more serious problems in the body. For example, candida infections often form in reaction to a weakened immune system caused by cancer, HIV, and other diseases. It then spreads to various parts of the body, including the lungs, liver and skin. Similarly, Kaposi's sarcoma is a skin condition characterized by dark or purplish lesions on the skin, which forms rarely as a genetic condition and more commonly by the weakened immune system caused by AIDS. Because KS lesions can spread quickly to other parts of the body, including the internal organs, it is important to treat the problem as soon as possible.

The average person will likely experience some form of skin problem over the course over their lives, whether it is as common as acne, as serious as skin cancer or melanoma, or merely an aesthetic concern, like varicose veins. Regardless of the problem, skin care specialists can help you achieve the beautiful, healthy skin you want. Contact a dermatologist today to discuss how they may be able to help you.

by Bishara Gattas

How Dermatologists Help Treat the Symptoms of Serious Disease

If you have problem skin, it's likely that you have considered making an appointment with a skin dermatologist to discuss your treatment options. Currently, there are an estimated 7,575 dermatologist clinics in the United States, comprising an industry that has generated an estimated $11 billion in revenue. The dermatologists that work in these clinics are well-versed in providing care for a wide variety of aesthetic and medical skin conditions, from laser varicose vein treatments to different forms of treatment for melanoma skin cancer, and have the knowledge and experience to devise a plan for relieving your individual case or symptoms.

One of the most common skin conditions skin dermatologists treat is acne, which nearly 85% of people will experience at some point in their lifetime. Of this number, and estimated 40 to 50 million Americans are believed to suffer from this problem. Many people experience acne during their teenage years, with more than 40% of adolescents reporting acne or acne scarring by their mid-teens. However, people of all ages can be affected by this condition. Skin dermatologists can treat acne with a number of different methods; often, they will prescribe acne treatment products, procedures such as laser acne treatment, or even a combination of several of these options. Their diagnosis and prescription will depend on the severity of the acne, the afflicted areas of the skin, and the patient's overall health, as well as several other factors. For this reason, dermatologist acne treatments are often far more effective than common home treatments and drug store products.

Dermatologists also treat a number of more serious skin conditions, including skin cancer, which affects an estimated one in every five Americans at some point during their lifetime. There are several different treatments for skin cancer, with the most common being surgery and radiotherapy, though the procedure used will depend on the severity of the cancer and the patient. Skin dermatologists also often treat conditions that develop as a result of serious illness. Candida infections, for example, which can affect the patient's lungs and liver in addition to the skin, commonly develop in people with cancer, HIV, and other conditions that weaken the immune system. Likewise, Kaposi's sarcoma, dark or purplish lesions that form on the skin, form as part of the weakened immune caused by contracting the AIDS virus and can spread to the organs. Dermatologists are able to help treat these conditions when they manifest on the skin, reducing the patient's experience of the full extent of their sickness.

Skin dermatologists treat a wide variety of aesthetic and medical skin complaints every day, from performing laser hair removal to diagnosing a possible case of skin cancer and prescribing treatment if necessary. For this reason, if you have a problem with your skin, whether it is a case of acne or a Candida infection, a dermatologist may be able to help you. Contact a dermatology specialist in your area today to schedule an appointment.

by Bishara Gattas