The skin is the largest organ of your body, and, like any other organ system, should be well-taken care of.  Dermatology is the field of study having to do with the skin.  Dermatologists are doctors who receive specialized training to work with the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes (such as the oral cavity).

Although some skin disorders are confined to the skin, others are indicative of systemic disease.  While some skin disorders are fairly common, others are quite rare.  And although some skin disorders can be treated quickly, others require multiple visits and treatment regimens.  There is a lot of variety within the field of dermatology and dermatologists must undergo at least four years of training after medical school in order to practice.

Because dermatology is a broad field, it is divided into a number of subspecialties.  Some dermatologists pursue a fellowship after their residency, which is essentially extra training time in order to provide specialized care.  Some of these subspecialties are:

• Pediatric Dermatology:  As the name implies, these dermatologists receive additional training to work with children. They are well-versed in hereditary and congenital skin disorders, normal vs. abnormal skin findings in newborns, and special considerations necessary when treating children.
• Cosmetic Dermatology:  This field utilizes cosmeceuticals (pharmaceuticals with some cosmetic benefit) and minimally invasive procedures for their appearance-enhancing benefits.  Dermatologists vary in the cosmetic procedures they perform, but some modalities are laser surgery, cosmetic fillers, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion.
• Immunodermatology:  Dysfunction of the immune system, as seen in disorders such as lupus and bullous pemphigoid, can have associated skin changes, some which are very severe.  This area of dermatology focuses on the skin-related manifestations of immune disorders.
• Dermatologic surgery:  Some lesions in dermatology, especially those that are malignant, have to be removed surgically.  A number of surgical techniques are utilized.  Mohs surgery is one popular method which dermatologists receive extensive training to perform.  In Mohs surgery, lesions are removed with sparing of the skin, and tumor margins (or the borders to which the tumor extends) are microscopically addressed throughout the procedure so that full excision may be achieved.
• Dermatopathology:  This is another subspecialty which utilizes the microscope.  Pathology is the study of the causes, characteristics, and effects of the skin.  When a skin lesion is biopsied, it undergoes review by a dermatopathologist.  This is a very exact way of finding out what is causing a particular skin manifestation, in order to best treat it.

To find a dermatologist near you, please visit The American Academy of Dermatology’s comprehensive directory.