3 tips to choose the best dermatologist for you
Skincare is specific to each person from acne and wrinkles to more serious conditions like skin cancer. Finding the right doctor who can attend to all your unique skin needs from cosmetic fine-tuning to medical conditions is vital. So how do you decipher who is the real deal from a skin doctor scammer?
Here are three ways to choose the dermatologist right for you:
1. Check what insurance the dermatologist accepts
Knowing the type of insurance your dermatologist accepts is essential when considering your new physician. Take advantage of your insurance, knowing which treatments your dermatologist covers will save you headaches and unnecessary spending. Generally, the only skin treatments covered by insurance are medical treatments, which can range from acne to skin cancer– check out our medical skincare menu to see other services you could get covered from your insurance. Cosmetic skin treatments, on the other hand, are not covered by insurance and would include services such as Botox and lip fillers. Again, best to double-check with your own insurance to see which treatments can be covered.
2. Look for a dermatologist that is board-certified
When looking for your dermatologist, why not choose one who has the most rigorous medical education and training to diagnose and treat more than 3,000 skin, hair, and nail conditions? Fun fact, not all licensed dermatologists have to be board certified. Board certification is not a mandatory requirement for dermatologists to carry, but many do choose to have it in addition to their medical license. This certification is designed to assure patients that their doctor is continuing his or her education well after medical school. Not only do they have board certification, but they must also pass annual training and a board exam every 10 years. So rest assured that any dermatologist that you choose with board certification will always be up-to-date on the latest knowledge and techniques in skin care and medical skin conditions. You can be confident they will be more knowledgeable than any department store skincare aisle or the latest skin influencer on social media.
3. Make sure your dermatologist has FAAD (Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology) after their name
FAAD stands for the Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology which proves your doctor has gone through the proper medical training completing medical school, a year-long internship, and three years of residency training in dermatology. Keep in mind some dermatologists’ websites will state they are FAAD, are board-certified but have not reached FAAD status or are both board-certified and FAAD (that is the one you want). To cut the confusion you can easily check if a dermatologist is a FAAD by typing in their name on the American Academy of Dermatology website. If the dermatologist you are considering has FAAD after their name you can be sure they are also board certified and can confidently support you in all your medical as well as cosmetic skincare needs.
