Dermatology is one of the most competitive specialties in medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions related to the skin, hair, and nails. This rewarding medical discipline includes many exciting subspecialties that provide lucrative career opportunities to interested candidates. Getting into dermatology requires years of training, in-depth knowledge of the subject, and hard work throughout medical school.
Dermatologists are in-demand physicians who can treat skin and cosmetic disorders, including acne, psoriasis, melanoma, hair disorders, and more. Dermatologists can practice adult or pediatric dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, or surgical dermatology depending on their interest.
Dermatology is an exciting field that provides medical students with a lot of career opportunities. If you are interested in entering the field, here is an easy guide to becoming a dermatologist.
Let’s discover what are the education and training requirements, job responsibilities of dermatologists, career opportunities, and much more.
How to Become a Dermatologist?
Becoming a dermatologist requires extensive education, training, work experience, and a license to practice and start your career in the competitive field of dermatology.
Education Requirements
Aspiring dermatologists are advised to complete a bachelor’s degree by choosing majors in science-based subjects, including biology, chemistry, physics, or biochemistry to develop a better understanding of the medical field. Completing your undergraduate degree and taking premedical courses will prepare you for getting into medical school and completing a four-year MD program.
In medical school, you will take advanced courses on pharmacology, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, and anatomy. Medical students are advised to perform at their best throughout medical school and score impressive marks in the USMLE Step 1 and 2 to make themselves eligible for a dermatology residency program.
Aspiring dermatologists also perform clinical rotations during MS 3 and MS 4 that will help them gain hands-on experience and learn how to examine patients and diagnose skin-related disorders. They will learn how to diagnose disorders and treat patients under the supervision of attending doctors and qualified physicians.
Medical students spend a few weeks in emergency medicine, psychiatry, internal medicine, and different other clinical areas. Clinical rotations provide interested candidates with a great opportunity to work with experienced doctors and improve their knowledge and experience in dermatology.
Residency Training
Pursuing a career in dermatology requires sufficient work experience so that you can effectively diagnose, treat and prevent skin disorders. In order to get clinical training and experience, aspiring dermatologists pursue residency programs that last for four years. You need to complete one year as an intern in general surgery or internal medicine and the remaining three years in clinical residency in dermatology. At the end of dermatology residency, future dermatologists are required to pass the USMLE Step 3 in order to become a practicing physician.
License and Board Certification
Obtaining a medical license is one of the most important requirements every medical doctor has to fulfill in order to practice in the state. Obtain your license and get ready for pursuing lucrative career opportunities in dermatology.
Many dermatologists decide to gain further training in subspeciality by pursuing a one- or two-year fellowship program. You can pursue a fellowship program in several subspecialties, including:
- Cosmetic surgery
- Laser medicine
- Dermatopathology
- Phototherapy
- Immunodermatology
- Pediatric dermatology
- Teledermatology
By getting subspecialty training and additional training in a subspecialty, you will become a qualified dermatologist who can treat skin disorders and perform subspeciality procedures.
Career Opportunities for Dermatologists
Dermatologists can find career opportunities in research, academics, clinical settings, beauty therapy institutions depending on their interest and work experience. Some dermatologists prefer to own and run their private clinic, others perform procedures in the treatment room and develop treatment plans for complex disorders.
Job Responsibilities of Dermatologists
Dermatologists are mainly responsible to diagnose and treat disorders related to skin, hair, and nails. They can treat a variety of cosmetic disorders – from acne to skin cancer, they are trained enough to treat a variety of diseases and conditions, including:
- Skin allergies
- Acne
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Hair loss
- Skin pigmentation
- Scabies
- Scars
- Skin lesions
- Warts
- Skin Cancer
Dermatologists are trained to perform surgical, topical, and other procedures to treat skin disorders. They can perform laser surgery, microdermabrasion, ultraviolet light therapy, cryosurgery, and much more.
Dermatologists examine patients, record their medical history, diagnose the abnormality and prescribe medications. They treat effective treatment plans for patients, depending on the severity of the disease and the condition of the patient.
Dermatologists use laser, Botox, and other advanced methods to treat skin disorders and prevent wrinkles, and scars.
Essential Skills You Need to Become a Dermatologist
Becoming a qualified dermatologist is no easy feat. It is important to maintain a stellar academic performance throughout your medical school and residency. There are some skills you will be required to becoming a dermatologist including:
- Mental dexterity
- Clinical and diagnostic skills
- Communication skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Organizational skills
- Problem-solving skills
Concluding Note
Dermatology is an interesting medical specialty that provides you numerous lucrative career opportunities in hospitals, private clinics, research, and medical schools. If you are interested in entering the field of dermatology, you need to know this important information before becoming a dermatologist. Keep in mind, choosing a career in dermatology requires years of schooling and work experience. It will take around 12-14 years of schooling to become a certified and licensed dermatologist. So, find the right medical school for you and fulfill your dream of getting into the field of dermatology.
