The skin's unique position as the body's largest organ and an external part makes it the target of many medical procedures. It also means that a dermatologist's job is far more varied than that of other types of doctors. One patient may come in for treatments to look 20 years younger, while the very next one may need treatment for a condition like melanoma. There is also plenty of overlap between the medical and cosmetic sides of the practice because patients want to look good even when serious conditions are involved.
Medical Dermatology
This arm of the practice has medical conditions as its primary focus. Many patients first go to a dermatologist palo alto for acne treatment, but this is just the start of the possibilities. Dermatologists also treat psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, dermatitis, skin cancer, and many other conditions. A good general rule is that if a problem involves the skin, a dermatologist should be the first choice of practitioner.
Often, medical and cosmetic dermatology overlap. For example, a person who seeks treatment for acne doesn't just want to get rid of the pimples.
He or she will also want to prevent scarring and get rid of any that already exists. A cancer patient needs to have the growth removed, but this needs to be done in a way that preserves the appearance of the skin as much as possible. Because cosmetic skill is needed for most treatments in any case, many dermatologists choose to expand their practices to also cover entirely-cosmetic procedures.
Cosmetic Dermatology
In most cases, the aim of this branch of dermatology is to allow patients to look younger or fitter than they actually are.
Wrinkle reduction or removal is a very popular choice when it comes to cosmetic treatment because it provides a dramatically younger look. Patients also improve their appearances by getting targeted fat reduction treatments. These treatments target double chins, areas that sag due to fat deposits, and the contour of the calves. The end result is a fitter appearance that would ordinarily take weeks or years of dedicated exercise to attain.
These are just some of the services provided by dermatologists. With such a wide array of treatments and objectives, there's no doubt that these doctors are some of the most versatile to be found. Give one a visit any time there is a skin condition that needs to be addressed.
