Dermatology

Dermatologist Overview

A dermatologist is a specialist physician who focuses on skin, nail, and hair care. Dermatologists are doctors of medicine, who will need to attend medical school, earn a medical degree, complete an internship, and then apply for three years or more of specialty training. Because of the extensive education, training and passion involved in dermatology, dermatologists are one of the highest paid occupations with an average yearly salary of anywhere from $280,000 to $380,000 per year.

Dermatologists focus on all aspects of skin care including problems arising from skin cancers, sexually transmitted diseases, melanomas, moles, tumors, infectious disease, and allegoric and non-allergic skin disorders, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Dermatologists generally work in small private officers or clinics and handle patients of all ages. Dermatologists may have specific training in cosmetics, pediatrics or surgery but all will have training in dermatopathology. As reported by the American Academy of Dermatology, some of the treatments that fall under dermatology include acne, cosmetic dermatology, hair loss, hormones, laser hair removal, baby skin care, psoriasis, sensitive skin, liposuction, lip and mouth care, spider veins, cellulite, skin, tattoos, and body piercing.

Dermatologist Education & Training

To become a dermatologist you will need to attend a total of at least eight years of school as well as three to eight additional years of internship and residency, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The path to becoming a doctor starts with four years of undergraduate school where most pre-med students will take physics, biology, mathematics, English, chemistry, and social sciences. If they are accepted into medical school, they will spend the next four years in laboratories and classrooms and then in clinics and hospitals.

To become a dermatologist, you will attend courses in pharmacology, anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, medical ethics, and pathology, and you will need to learn how to examine patients, diagnose illnesses, and take medical histories.

After graduating from medical school, dermatologist will undergo a paid residency from two to six years as a way to gain formal training. During the residency, medical students will work closely with dermatologists in surgery, clinic duty, and private practices.

All physicians, including dermatologists, must pass a licensing examination after graduating from an accredited medical school and completing their residency. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are currently 146 accredited medical schools in the United States. According to Dermatology Times, the leading medical schools for dermatology include Harvard Medical School, Mayo Clinic, Mount Sinai Medical Center, and New York University Medical Center.

Dermatologists must complete a final examination after their residency in order to become a member of the board of the American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS), which will allow them to pursue their career in dermatology.

Dermatologist Career & Salary Outlook

The Association of American Medical Colleges reports that practicing dermatologists can make anywhere from $287,832 to $385,953 annually. Experience, credibility, and clientele can factor in on the earning potential. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there will be a 19% increase in physicians by 2016, many of which will be dermatologists. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, there are currently over 16,000 practicing dermatologists in the United States and Canada.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, there are more than 1 million people in tanning salons each day. Furthermore, more than 1 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States every year. In addition to this, acne, the most common skin disorder in the United States, affects 40 to 50 million Americans. These statistics are shocking to say the least. However, what it means from a dermatologist perspective is that there will be no shortage of work in the near future.

Article Resources: