What is a Dermatologist?
Dermatologists are skin doctors who specialize in conditions involving the skin, hair, and nails. They are qualified medical experts who can treat your skin related issues.
Human skin is an incredible organ that serves as the first defense against external infections, cuts, and bruises. It regulates our body temperature and sends us messages when our health gets compromised due to internal issues.
Patients turn to a dermatologist for issues that run more profound than the surface of the skin. Having to deal with skin problems can take a toll on one’s self-worth and make social life a nightmare. Skin diseases harm not only physiology but also the psychology of how we perceive ourselves.
Such a vital organ needs to be taken care of and well-treated by expert medical practitioners. Let us look at what makes dermatologists the best-suited professionals for curing all types of skin problems.
Who Should See a Dermatologist?
People dealing with common to rare skin diseases should see a dermatologist and get professional medical treatment as soon as possible. Here are some common cases which a dermatologist has to deal with frequently –
- Removal of the deadly melanoma from the mother’s body at the earliest and most treatable stage.
- Treating a baby’s birthmark if it threatens other vital functions such as eye-sight.
- Sleep threatening chronic eczema amongst students
- Itching liver conditions amongst aged people which poses life-threatening risks.
- Helping young adults and middle-aged people with hair loss problems interfere with one’s ability to feel self-secure and confident.
What Does a Visit to a Dermatologist Office Entail?
You will need to tell your doctor about the ailment, which made you visit the dermatologist in the first place.
On your first visit to a dermatologist, you can expect a full-body skin check and general questionnaire about your health history – any ongoing or past treatments or medications that may interfere with your skin treatment.
What Makes a Dermatologist Qualified for Treating Skin Problems?
From newborns to aged people, skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, and even skin cancer are common. A dermatologist is adept at identifying and treating more than 3000 skin-related conditions.
Providing this level of skin-care takes extensive schooling combined with years of training and practical experience. Dermatologists receive more than a decade of training before they can start their medical practice.
Learning to diagnose and treat skin-related medical conditions can take more than a decade of training and education.
This includes four years of college to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Another four years of medical school to become a medical doctor.
An internship – one-year duration, and
Three years of residency consists of completing 12000 to 16000 hours of treating patients while working alongside experienced doctors.
Who is a Board Certified Dermatologist?
After completing the residency training tenure, dermatologists have to undertake a challenging examination to prove their skills and knowledge during training and practice.
This examination is held by the American Board of Dermatology, and a few other institutes such as the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Qualified candidates from these exams are eligible to be known as board-certified dermatologists and carry a mark of having gone through the most rigorous training in dermatology.
Board-certified dermatologists use the acronym FAAD – Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology after their name and mention it on their website to display their credentials and expertise.
Does My Insurance cover a Dermatologist?
Dermatology procedures that are not medically necessary are not covered by insurance. However, it is essential to check with your insurer to determine if the dermatologist you are consulting accepts your insurance claim. Each office and every dermatologist has varying norms regarding insurance policies and coverage.
It also depends upon your insurer and insurance plan benefits, so it makes sense to check with your insurer and doctor separately.
However, here are some chronic skin conditions which are covered by most insurance benefits –
- Skin Cancer
- Rash
- Psoriasis
- Eczema
- Shingles
- Warts
- Poison ivy
- Keloid scars
- Hives and skin allergies
- Severe acne
- Fungal, bacterial, or viral skin infections
It is good to discuss all your options with your doctor and insurer as most of these conditions are covered by insurance, but some may not be covered. We intend to help you find out options that will improve your skin and allow them to receive maximum benefit from the insurance plan.
Contact our expert dermatologists to find out about your options and if you can avail of the benefits of insurance claims for your skin treatment.
You can also give us a call at our Studio City office at 818-797-4765 to talk to our experts directly. We also carry medical-grade skincare products and provide advanced skincare services from our skilled medical professionals and beauty therapists.
