A dermatologist is someone who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the skin, hair, and nails. Nobody knows the value of a dermatologist’s expertise as someone who suffers from a skin condition.
A lot of people think that dermatologists are not medical doctors, mainly due to the fact that they treat skin conditions and perform cosmetic procedures. Equating skin treatments with superficiality is wholly incorrect, since the skin is the largest organ of the body. It performs a critical function of protecting against infection and disease-causing pathogens, hazardous substances, and injury. Therefore, a dermatology practice is a medical practice.
Let’s further discuss dermatologists, what they study, and what they do.
What Do Dermatologists Study?
Dermatologists typically complete four years of undergraduate education, followed by four years of medical school. After completing medical school, dermatologists must complete a one-year internship followed by a three-year residency program in dermatology.
During their internship, the doctors who are training in dermatology start working in various health care facilities such as teaching hospitals, clinics, and emergency departments. During their residency, which is highly competitive, they receive extensive training that makes them experts in all diseases of the skin and highly qualified to diagnose and treat patients with dermatological disorders. Over the course of their study and training, they learn how to be able to identify and treat more than 3,000 skin conditions using both medical and surgical techniques.
To become board-certified, dermatologists need to demonstrate knowledge and exceptional expertise to the American Board of Dermatology (ABD). Fellowship training, while optional, reveals the pursuit of excellence of a dermatologist, who takes one to two years of training in a subspecialty of dermatology or a surgical procedure.
What Do Dermatologists Treat?
Twelve years or more of study and training enable dermatologists to expertly diagnose and treat conditions affecting the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes. There is a long list, but most commonly treated are acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, warts, fungal infections, and skin cancer.
In addition to treating medical conditions of the skin, dermatologists also offer cosmetic services to help patients achieve and maintain youthful, healthy-looking skin and improve atrophic scarring, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, freckles, brown spots, wrinkles, skin laxity, and volume loss. Cosmetic treatments include chemical peels, DiamondGlow facial, micro-needling, microdermabrasion, dermal fillers, laser resurfacing, Botox and Dysport injections, Juvéderm, Kybella, and Restylane.
Board-Certified and Fellowship Trained Dermatologist in Winder, Athens, Lake Oconee, Elberton, and Commerce, GA
Georgia Skin Cancer & Aesthetic Dermatology is a dermatology practice led by two board-certified and fellowship-trained dermatologists: Dr. Ross Campbell and Dr. Kristen Thomas – both of whom combine expertise and good bedside manner to serve the skin-related concerns of the greater Athens community in Georgia. Our doctors have been voted the Best Dermatologists of Athens by Readers Choice and received the Best of the Best award by the Online Athens’ Official Community Choice Awards.
Our friendly and dedicated team consists of 60 providers, administrators, and staff, and is looking forward to serving you. To schedule an appointment with one of our dermatologists, call our office today at (706) 543-5858 or use our convenient online request form.
Georgia Skin Cancer & Aesthetic Dermatology has six locations in Georgia from which to serve you.