Dermatology is a specialized branch of medicine that focuses on the skin, hair, and nails. Doctors of dermatology (dermatologists) specialize in treating conditions that affect these parts of the body, including skin diseases and some cosmetic conditions.
Conditions that dermatologists treat include:
Dermatologists practice a specialized type of medicine focusing on the skin. A dermatologist is trained in diagnosing and treating diseases of the skin, hair, and nails, promoting skin health, managing cosmetic skin disorders, and more.
Dermatologists can carry out specialized diagnostic procedures related to skin conditions. They can use treatments including externally applied, injected, and internal medicines, ultraviolet light therapy, surgical procedures, and more. They may also perform cosmetic procedures like chemical peels, sclerotherapy, and microdermabrasion.
Dermatologists are highly specialized medical doctors who are trained to treat conditions of the skin, hair, and nails. They can specialize in several dermatologic specialties, including:
- Pediatric dermatology: Pediatric dermatologists specialize in diagnosing and treating skin conditions in children. They treat conditions like birthmarks, warts, eczema, or psoriasis.
- Dermatopathology: Dermatopathologists are doctors who specialize in both dermatology and pathology. This means they are trained to examine biopsied parts of the skin and write a biopsy report to determine the possibility of skin cancers (such as melanoma) or skin disease (such as impetigo, vitiligo, or warts). Some dermatopathologists undergo special training to be able to perform Mohs surgery, a precise technique used to get rid of skin cancer cells. The dermatopathologist uses a scalpel to remove cancer on the skin, as well as a thin layer of skin below. Once removed, this tissue is taken to a laboratory for analysis. This analysis helps the dermatopathologist determine if all the cancer cells from the skin have been removed, or if further surgery is needed.
- Cosmetic dermatology: Cosmetic dermatologists are doctors who specialize in aesthetic skin care, treating conditions including acne, wrinkles, sagging skin, or varicose veins. These doctors are trained to perform cosmetic procedures like filler injections for sagging skin, laser skin resurfacing, or chemical peels.
Dermatologists must complete 4 years of a bachelor’s degree, 4 years of medical school, an internship, and a 3-year residency. After finishing their residency, a dermatologist can complete an exam to earn certification from the American Board of Dermatology. Board certification ensures that the dermatologist has the expertise and qualifications necessary to treat conditions of the skin, hair, and nails.
No. Telehealth platforms like Sesame connect you directly to doctors, so you do not need a referral from a primary care provider before scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist.
Choosing a dermatologist is an important and personal decision. If you are looking for a dermatologist, finding one who is convenient to your home and workplace is essential.
Now, health care marketplaces like Sesame make it easier than ever to find a dermatologist at an affordable cash price. Browse the list of skin care services offered by providers on Sesame and book an appointment that fits into your schedule - no insurance needed.
Dermatologists are medical doctors who undergo special training to diagnose and treat various dermatological needs. Some conditions dermatologists are trained to diagnose and treat include:
- Eczema: Eczema is a red and itchy rash that is caused by irritants and allergens. Dermatologists can treat eczema with topical corticosteroid creams, moisturizers, or oral medication.
- Psoriasis: Psoriasis is a common, chronic, condition that flares in cycles. A psoriasis flareup can cause red, itchy, and flaky skin on the torso, knees, elbows, or scalp. Dermatologists can treat psoriasis with topical creams, light therapy, or oral medication.
- Dermatitis: Dermatitis refers to skin irritation that results in red, itchy, and dry skin. This can be caused by an allergic reaction, eczema, or yeast in the oil of the skin. A dermatologist can prescribe light therapy, creams, gels, or oral medication.
Skin care, on the other hand, is handled by estheticians, professionals who specialize in the cosmetics of the skin. Estheticians are not medical doctors and cannot diagnose skin conditions or prescribe medication. They perform elective skin treatments that can help the appearance of the skin. Estheticians can perform cosmetic procedures such as waxing, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and hair removal.
Most major hospitals and health care providers will have departments of dermatology that can work with you to diagnose and treat any skin conditions you may be experiencing. Without insurance, most dermatology consultations for new patients will cost anywhere from $100 to $200, depending on the clinic and needs of the patient.
Save 60% on your next dermatology appointment by booking with Sesame. On Sesame, you can connect with a real, quality dermatologist licensed to treat patients near you for a range of skin conditions. Sesame works directly with dermatologists - not insurance companies - who post affordable, upfront prices, getting you the care you need while eliminating surprise billings and copays. It's that simple!
Yep! Telehealth has made it easier than ever to speak to a licensed dermatologist from the comfort of your home. Sesame offers video skin consults with real, quality doctors near you. Dermatologists on Sesame can diagnose a wide range of skin conditions including:
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Video dermatology consultations help patients address skin conditions without the hassle and stress of office visits. Video consultations mean no wait times, no crowds, and visits on your own schedule. Video dermatology consultations can help patients get medical advice and treatment plan options for conditions such as:
In some cases, follow-up visits may be required. Depending on the severity of the patient's skin condition, or if there is a risk of skin cancer, your dermatologist may request an in-person face-to-face office visit to get a skin sample or a biopsy.
Most dermatology consultations start with the doctor reviewing the patient's medical history and asking about symptoms or complications the patient may be experiencing. After these initial steps, a physical exam, or a visual exam, of the affected area will usually be done so that the doctor can assess what skin condition may be affecting the patient. In certain cases, based on the doctor's findings, further testing may need to be done. These tests may include blood tests, skin samples, or biopsies to check for cancers or underlying conditions.
If further testing is not required, the dermatologist or physician can give medical advice to the patient about treatment plan options and next steps. This way the patient has an understanding of available options and possible next steps.
There are no risks associated with video dermatology consultations, as these online visits are meant to diagnose conditions. Video dermatology consultations can play a key part in creating treatment plan options to help reduce the effects of skin conditions and catch skin issues before they become more severe.
Acne is the common skin condition in the United States, experienced by about 85% of people between the ages of 12-24, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Acne is a skin condition that occurs when the pores on the surface of the skin become clogged by hair follicles, oily skin (also known as sebum), bacteria, and dead skin cells. Blockage of the skin’s pores results in blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, and pimples. Acne may be a persistent condition that can scar the skin on the face, chest, forehead, and shoulders.
If you are experiencing persistent or severe acne, you may want to seek medical attention.
Acne is a broad term to describe a skin condition that is caused by clogged pores on the surface of the skin. However, acne can vary in form and severity. There are several different types of acne conditions, including:
- Blackheads: Blackheads are open, but clogged pores. Dead skin and sebum collect in the pore, causing a small red bump, and air exposure cause the open pore to discolor.
- Whiteheads: Whiteheads are similar to blackheads, except the pore is closed to the air, causing a white tip.
- Papules: Papules are small, red bumps caused by oil and dead skin cells clogging pores on the surface of the skin.
- Pustules (or pimples): Pimples are small red bumps like papules, but are filled with pus. The pus in a pimple causes a small white tip to form on the bump.
- Nodules: Nodules are firm, skin-colored bumps that live deep under the skin. These bumps can be painful and difficult to treat with over-the-counter medication.
- Cysts: Cystic acne describes large, inflamed, and painful lesions that are found deep beneath the skin. Cystic acne is softer than nodules, due to the infections being filled with pus. These bumps can burst, causing further infection to the skin surrounding the cyst. Cysts are caused by clogged material deep within the pore of the skin. This type of acne can be very difficult to treat and can result in scarring of the skin if improperly treated.
Most acne can be treated with self-care remedies and over-the-counter acne medications. However, more severe forms of acne such as nodules and cysts may require additional treatment from a dermatologist or pediatric dermatologist.
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when the pores on the surface of the skin become clogged by hair follicles, oily skin, bacteria, and dead skin cells.
Hair follicles in the skin are connected to oil glands (sebaceous glands) that produce oil on the skin called sebum. When androgen hormones become active during puberty, these follicles can become sensitive to excess sebum and bacteria on the skin. As oil builds up in the pores of the skin, they become infected and inflamed. This inflammation eventually becomes a pimple, a whitehead (a closed pore), a blackhead (an open pore), or a pimple (pustule with pus at the tip).
Some common acne triggers/ irritants include:
- Hormonal changes: Fluctuating levels of the androgen hormone during puberty or around a woman’s period can cause excess sebum production, leading to clogged pores.
- Medications: Certain medications such as corticosteroids, birth control pills, or testosterone can cause hormonal change and can lead to clogged pores.
- Makeup or personal care products: Some cosmetic products and oily skin care products (like oily lotion, pomade, and face cream) can cause pores to clog. Most products are now tested to avoid clogging pores and carry the label non-comedogenic.
- Air pollution or weather: Heavily polluted air or humid air can cause excess sweat and oil build up on the skin, which can lead to clogged pores.
- Clothing: Clothing pressed tight against the skin of the torso, legs, or face can cause irritation, which leads to clogged pores.
In most mild cases, acne can be treated with self-care steps and over-the-counter acne medications. Washing your face regularly, moisturizing, and keeping your hands away from your face can help reduce acne and keep pores from clogging. However, if acne is persistent, painful, or severe, you may want to speak with a skin care professional, such as a dermatologist, for help with treating acne. Dermatologists can prescribe medication that may help reduce symptoms and prevent damage to the skin. Some examples of acne treatment that a dermatologist can provide include:
- Topical retinoids: Retinoids are compounds derived from vitamin A, which come in creams, gels, and lotions. Retinoid medications help rapidly exfoliate the skin and prevent the clogging of hair follicles. Retinoids are often mild and available as an over-the-counter medication. Tretinoin is a synthetic Vitamin A compound - usually a topical cream or gel - that unclogs skin in the same way retinoid medication will. However, tretinoin is stronger and might be irritating to sensitive skin. Isotretinoin is an oral medication made of the synthetic vitamin A compound that can be used to treat severe acne. Tretinoin and isotretinoin are only available through prescription, and cannot be purchased as an over-the-counter medication.
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be prescribed by your skin care provider to help treat inflammatory acne such as cysts, pustules, and nodules. These medications fight acne-causing bacteria in the skin and the body. Antibiotic acne medications are either topical (gels/ creams such as clindamycin or erythromycin) or oral (pills/ liquids such as minocycline or doxycycline). Antibiotics are intended for short-term use and may result in antibiotic resistance if used over too long a period.
- Steroid injection: Your skin care provider may recommend a cortisone steroid injection for severe cystic acne. Cortisone steroids can help reduce inflammation and shrink the size of a painful cyst. The doctor performing this procedure will inject the steroid directly into the cyst, and you may experience skin thinning and discoloration where the shot was administered. However, cortisone steroid injections can help rapidly improve the skin’s condition and lessen pain associated with severe cystic acne.
Sometimes over-the-counter medication and self-care just won’t do the trick with severe acne. If you are experiencing persistent breakouts, you may want to speak with a skin care provider or dermatologist to determine if prescription medication might be right for you.
Mild acne can be treated at home with simple hygiene plans, along with non-prescription over-the-counter medication. Some examples of these self-care steps include:
- Cleaning skin: Cleaning your skin once or twice a day with a mild soap (such as a facial cleanser with salicylic acid) can help unclog pores and remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.
- Leave skin alone: Picking at, and popping, pimples can cause the infection to spread around the surface of the skin. Dermatologists recommend fighting the urge to pop pimples while using medication to clean the skin.
- Using non-comedogenic makeup: Heavy makeup can clog pores and lead to infection in the pores of the skin. Be sure, when purchasing makeup products, to check if the product is non-comedogenic. This means that the product has been specially formulated to not clog pores.
- Shampoo hair: Shampooing regularly can help keep hair follicles clean, while keeping sebum produced by the scalp away from your face and hairline.
-Use over-the-counter acne medications: Products containing salicylic acid can remove dirt and oil from the skin while clearing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Additionally, topical acne medications that contain benzoyl peroxide can help kill harmful bacteria on the skin while drying out the oil from existing pimples.
- Moisturize: Overly dry skin can cause the body to produce excess sebum, making the skin more oily than usual. Using a moisturizer daily can help the condition of the skin while keeping sebum production low. While using moisturizer may seem counterintuitive with oily skin, regular use can lead to lower levels of sebum production and clogged pores.
If you are experiencing persistent, painful, or severe acne, you may want to seek medical advice. Your primary care physician can refer you to prescription medication, or a dermatologist, for further treatment.
Severe acne breakouts can lead to acne scars on the face and body. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), acne scars can become more pronounced with age as the body loses collagen. This can make scarring from acne breakouts stubborn and hard to get rid of. The AAD recommends clearing skin of acne breakouts before undergoing treatment for acne scars.
Some remedies for acne scars include:
Sunscreen: Sunscreen helps protect the skin from harmful UV rays, while also helping to limit the contrast between scarred skin and unscarred skin. Exposure to the sun can cause scarring to darken, highlighting acne scars and making them more noticeable. Applying sunscreen before going outside, even when it’s cloudy, can help skin stay even and reduce the discoloration of scarring.
Medication: Over-the-counter acne medications such as salicylic acid or azelaic acid can help keep pores clear and reduce swelling. These products can help keep the skin around the acne scars clean and healthy while helping to minimize discoloration or inflammation from scarring.
Soft tissue filler: Injections of collagen or fat can help plump up and fill the skin under scars to make it appear smoother. Filler results are only temporary, so multiple injections are needed to maintain the effect of smoother skin.
Laser resurfacing: Laser resurfacing removes the top layer of the skin, clearing blemishes and imperfections on the surface of the skin such as acne scars. Laser resurfacing requires the patient to wear bandages over the treated area and is not as effective for patients with darker skin.
Chemical Peels: Skin care providers can use a strong chemical solution to peel away the top layer of the skin to reduce the appearance of acne scars. Mild and medium chemical peels can be purchased over-the-counter and used at home, but severe scarring may require an in-office peel to properly even the skin.
Acne scars can be stubborn and difficult to get rid of. Connect with a skin care provider on Sesame today for an in-person or video consultation to determine what acne scar treatment might be right for you. 15-minute skin consultations start at just {{ LowestPrice }}.
Hormonal birth control pills work by changing hormone levels in a woman's body to prevent ovulation and ease menstrual symptoms. Pills containing both estrogen and progestin can help reduce acne by decreasing hormones (androgen) that lead to the production of sebum (an acne-causing oil released by pores). Progestin-only oral contraceptives, such as Camila, will not help reduce acne.
The combination pills currently approved by the FDA to help treat acne are:
Eczema is a chronic condition that results in dry, itchy, red, and inflamed skin.
Eczema affects 1 in 10 Americans, from infants to adults 65 and older, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). There are several types of eczema, including:
Atopic dermatitis: The most common form of eczema, atopic dermatitis is caused by a weakened natural barrier of the skin, leaving you more vulnerable to irritants and allergens. Atopic dermatitis can be caused by environmental factors, a weakened immune system, or genetics.
Contact dermatitis: Contact dermatitis can be caused by an allergic reaction to something you touch or by chemicals and harsh substances you may come into contact with. This can be caused by certain cleaning products (like bleach), poison ivy, skin care products, latex, or nickel metal.
Hand eczema: Hand eczema, as its name suggests, is eczema that only affects the hands. It can often be caused by cleaning products, hair products, or laundry products.
Neurodermatitis: The cause of Neurodermatitis is unknown. It can occur along with chronic skin conditions and may be triggered by stress. The irritated area becomes itchier as it is scratched, leading to wounds or skin infections.
Nummular eczema: Nummular eczema describes a skin condition that results in itchy, coin-shaped spots on the skin. These spots can become crusty, scaly, or leak fluid. Nummular eczema can be caused by irritation from a bug bite, an allergic reaction, or excessively dry skin.
Stasis dermatitis: According to the AAD, about 15-20 million people above the age of 50 live with stasis dermatitis. Stasis dermatitis results in affected skin that is rough, itchy, and red around varicose veins. Stasis dermatitis usually occurs due to poor blood flow in the legs. This skin condition can worsen and cause adverse side effects such as wounds, discoloration, and pain.
Eczema can take different forms and present different symptoms - mostly based on where the affected skin is located on the body.
According to the National Eczema Association, most types of eczema cause similar symptoms, which include:
Depending on the type of eczema you are experiencing, these symptoms may vary. For instance, patients with stasis dermatitis often experience symptoms in the lower legs, near varicose veins. Those with hand eczema often experience scaly, itchy patches of skin on the hands and wrists. The severity and duration of these symptoms can differ from person to person. Some patients may experience flare-ups due to very dry skin or an allergic reaction. Some patients may only experience a brief period of symptoms, and nothing more.
There is no cure for eczema, but there are treatment options that can help manage and ease symptoms. These treatments include over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, and at-home remedies.
To find out which eczema treatment is best for you, talk with a licensed medical provider. Your provider can offer personalized medical advice catered to your needs and prescribe medication if appropriate.
Eczema is a highly persistent skin condition that usually won't go away without treatment. Unaddressed eczema can lead to open wounds, discolored skin, and bacterial skin diseases.
While there is no known cure for eczema, at-home remedies have been shown to help reduce side effects and symptoms associated with the condition. Common at-home remedies include:
- Moisturizing: Moisturizing once or twice daily can help soothe skin. Dry skin can cause flare-ups of eczema, so keeping skin moisturized not only helps reduce the side effects of eczema but can also help prevent flare-ups from occurring.
- Cool compress: Soak a clean washcloth in cold bathwater and apply it to itchy and inflamed skin. The cool compress can help reduce the inflammatory swelling that can occur, while soothing itching.
- Oatmeal baths: Add colloidal oatmeal to a lukewarm bath and soak affected skin to relieve itching and reduce irritation. Studies have shown that colloidal oatmeal protects skin and diminishes inflammatory cells that can lead to flare-ups.
- Using gentle soaps and detergents: Because contact dermatitis can be caused by exposure to harsh chemicals and bleaches found in some cleaning products, swapping these products out for products that use natural ingredients and gentle cleansing compounds can help prevent flare-ups. Look for fragrance-free, color-free, and exfoliant-free products to help soothe the skin and reduce irritation.
- Allergy medication: Because many forms of eczema flare-up due to irritation from allergens, taking an oral antihistamine or using anti-itch topical gel can help minimize the body’s reaction to allergens.
- Protect the skin: Eczema gets itchier the more it is scratched. Continued scratching can lead to bleeding, open sores, and bacterial infections. Keeping the skin under clothing, using anti-itch treatments (such as those listed above), and keeping the skin moisturized can help prevent itchy, dry skin.
If eczema is persistent or severe, speak with your primary care doctor or dermatologist about treatment options. Dermatologists are specially trained to diagnose and treat severe skin conditions like eczema and can prescribe maximum-strength medication to help alleviate the discomfort that comes with it.
Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is not as common as the other two major types of skin cancer. A skin cancer screening with a total body skin examination (TBSE) is arguably the safest, easiest, and possibly the most cost-effective screening test in medicine. This can be done by most doctors and nurses. There is no national consensus on how often to get screened but high-risk patients should be screened more frequently. Many providers recommend lifelong dermatologic surveillance for patients with a personal history of melanoma including, a family history of melanoma in two or more blood relatives, the presence of multiple atypical moles, the presence of numerous actinic keratoses (precancerous lesions that are grey to pink colored scaly patches of skin on sun-exposed areas of the body).
An in-person or video skin consult is a good place to start for an affordable skin cancer screening.