The Dermatologist: Confused about how to choose your skin expert? We break it down for you.

Posted on February 14th, 2011

Before selecting a dermatologist—for acne, psoriasis, melasma, vitiligo and other diseases, for Botox®, fillers, lasers or anything else—the American Academy of Dermatology stresses that consumers must “evaluate a physician’s credentials” and “do their homework.”*

“The best advice I can offer consumers is not to be afraid to ask physicians direct questions about their credentials, training and patient results,” said dermatologist C. William Hanke, MD, MPH, FAAD at American Academy of Dermatology’s 2009 Summer Convention in Boston, “If you are not satisfied with the answers to your questions or if a physician becomes defensive, then these are red flags and you should seek another opinion.”

Why is it so important to be choosy? A good doctor can give you excellent results while poor care can result in more (sometimes drastic) problems to fix. Plus, a great dermatologist can raise your self esteem and sound the alert should she notice a skin problem that could be indicative of other health concerns. It’s safe to say: there are no downsides to being picky about who cares for your skin.

Yet many patients spend more time researching about a new phone, camera or computer that they’re eyeing than the physician they’ll be entrusting their skin to. If you find physician selection daunting, we’ve whittled the process down to three simple musts:

#1 An Expert

The Bare Minimum your dermatologist must have:

• Board certification in at least the physician’s country of practice. Board certification means that the doctor has completed a contiguous three-year residency in dermatology (contiguous meaning three years in a row, in the same residency program) and passed a rigorous test administered by the country’s board of dermatology.
• Regular attendance at conventions and subscription to board journals. In any specialty, do you really want a doctor who doesn’t keep up with developments in their field?

A Cut Above: A dermatologist who is at the next level of expertise could have one or more of the following under his belt…

• A teaching position at a reputable residency program, hospital or university
• Participation in (such as co-authoring) a published article in a peer-reviewed medical journal
• Diplomate or active-member status in a second dermatological board or association, usually outside his country of practice

Legends: If you want the top of the heap, the crème de la crème, the top best in the field, it’s not how much publicity a doctor gets that’s important. It’s achievement. In addition to what’s listed in “A Cut Above”, a top gun? in dermatology would also…

• Be a popular speaker at important medical conventions around the world
• Have more than one published article, as the lead author/investigator, in peer-reviewed medical journals, and/or
• Hold a senior position in her country’s dermatology board association.

#2 A Confidante

Bedside manner: someone you can (comfortably and freely) ask about prescription risks, procedure down time, and realistic benefit expectations.

#3 A Professional

Takes time with you, looks into your medical history and lifestyle, explores other methods of treatment (relies on his/her smarts before reaching for the scalpel), and provides pre- and post-procedure care.

* AAD Offers Tips on Seeking Out Safe Cosmetic Procedures.” SkinInc.com. Web Ed. Cathy Christensen. 28 Sept 09. Allured Business Media. 25 Oct 10.