A dermatologist is a physician who specializes in conditions involving the skin, hair, and nails.  Dermatologists have extensive training and education in the diagnosis and medical or surgical treatment of thousands of conditions affecting the skin, hair, or nails.  Their unique skills and experience allow dermatologists to offer the best care for the largest organ of your body, your skin. 

Dermatologists — The Best Care For Your Skin

A dermatologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving, the skin, hair, and nails.  

How do you become a dermatologist?

Dermatologists are medical doctors with extensive training to address medical and surgical concerns with your skin, hair, and nails.  Dermatologists have had the following (or sometimes more) training:

• Four years of medical school to become a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)
• One year of internship (Clinical Training)
• Three years of dermatology residency completing 12,000-16,000 hours of treating patients followed by a board examination to become a Board Certified Dermatologist
• Some dermatologists pursue additional fellowship training in Pediatric Dermatology, Dermatopathology, or Mohs Surgery 

What does it mean to be board certified?

Dermatologists are board certified by the American Board of Dermatology (MD) or the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology (DO).

When seeing a dermatologist who is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology or American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology, you can be assured that they have met the high standards for education and training, and that they possesses the knowledge and skills essential for the provision of superior, specialized care to patients with cutaneous diseases.

What is the difference between a dermatologist and a nurse practitioner or physician assistant?

Dermatologists are medical doctors who specialize in conditions affecting the skin, hair, and nails.  No one has completed more training than a board-certified dermatologist to address your concerns with your skin, hair, and nails. 

Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners may play an important role as part of a physician-led care team when caring for patients under the direction of a board-certified dermatologist.  

What treatments do dermatologists provide?

Dermatologists provide care for a wide variety of skin, hair, and nail conditions. They generally provide the following services:

• Diagnosis and Treatment for a wide variety of conditions affecting the skin, hair, and nails, including skin cancer, hair loss, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, warts, and rosacea to name a few
• Minor surgical procedures, including skin biopsies, cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen), surgical removal of skin lesions, and laser treatment