Our skin is the largest and most vital organ on our body. It provides protection for or internal organs and creates a barrier to prevent infection. This means choosing a doctor to care for our skin is a task to be taken very seriously. Although dermatologists are often associated with vanity procedures, these doctors care for so much more. A dermatologist is trained to diagnose and treat any condition effecting the hair, skin, and nails. This means if you choose a doctor that is unqualified your results could be more than just visually unpleasant, but dangerous to your overall health. Here is your secret guide of how to choose a great dermatologist to fit all of your skincare needs and desires.
Get Referrals
A good place to start looking for a dermatologist is to get referrals. Your primary doctor may have names of dermatologists that they trust. If your primary doctor is someone who has been treating you for a while, then using someone they referred may be a very good option. You can also reach out to family and friends. They may already have a dermatologist that they trust and think is great. Once you have a list of a few names of different doctors then it is time to do some research to figure out which doctor is best for you.
Do Your Research
One of the benefits of the internet is how easy it is to do research. Quickly using a search engine, you can find a doctor’s credentials and experience in the blink of an eye. While researching you want to make sure that the doctor is board certified. This means that the doctor has the required training, experience and skills to provide you with the proper care. Any medical school, training hospitals, and other certifications should be easily found through your online search as well. You also want to be sure that no legal action has been taken against the doctor. Any history of malpractice is a red flag that you want to avoid.
Another part of your research is to consider what procedures or treatments you want to have done or could see yourself possibly wanting in the future. The dermatologist you choose should regularly perform these procedures and treatments. This will ensure that they will be more than capable of properly performing these treatments. This also means that there is a higher chance of better results. If you are unable to find a satisfactory amount of information online, you can always schedule a consultation with the doctor and ask them questions. This will allow you to ask about the doctor’s rate of complications with specific treatments and procedures.
It is also important to make sure that your doctor utilizes the most innovative technology. This is where doing research on the office will be useful. The office’s website will tell you what treatments they offer. If you notice that they are only offering older procedures, this may not be the office for you.
Researching the hospital that your doctor is associated with is also very important. This is the hospital that you will have to deal with as well, so you must consider the level of care that they provide. The better a hospital is rated, the fewer complications the establishment has experienced. You should also make sure that the location of the hospital is not too far from your home, for your own convenience.
Area of Specialty
When choosing a great dermatologist you must check the doctor’s area of expertise. Some dermatologists have extra certifications for special areas of dermatology that allows them to handle more than the common problems. Examples of these specialties are Dermatopathology, Pediatric Dermatology, and Clinical and Laboratory Dermatological Immunology. Some doctors might not have an extra certification, but may choose to focus on a certain area of dermatology that interests them, such as allergies or cosmetics.
Make Sure You are Comfortable
To ensure that you are getting the best possible care from your dermatologist, you must be comfortable with that particular physician. For some patients this means considering the doctor’s gender. If you would feel less comfortable speaking to a male or female about your specific issue or any issue that could possibly arise in the future, it is necessary to keep that in mind when choosing a doctor.
Having comfortable communication with your dermatologist can also depend on their personality. If you do not feel comfortable with your doctor’s personality, even if they are very qualified, they are not the right doctor for you. You need to be able to openly speak to your doctor about any of your questions and concerns. Make sure that the doctor makes you feel comfortable. Your dermatologist should always explain all the information that you need to know about any treatment or procedure that you are considering.
Read Patient Reviews
Reading the reviews left by other patients can really show you what it is like to be in the office. Often there are multiple reviews to read that give you a good idea of what kind of doctor you are going to see. Although it does not ensure that you are going to love this doctor because fifty other people did, there is a better chance that this doctor is more personable than a dermatologist with fifty negative reviews.
Does Your Doctor Listen to You
Does your doctor engage in conversation when you ask a question or are they just dismissive? This is very important in determining if they are going to listen to you. Giving an extensive response or asking more follow up questions is a good sign. You should feel understood and that your question was answered extensively. If they seem to rush you in and out, this doctor may not provide you with the best care.
Finding a dermatologist is a very important task, but it does not have to be a hard one. Using the tips provided above you can easily find a doctor that keeps you and your skin happy and healthy.
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