How to Choose the Best Dermatologist For You
By the Editor | May 30, 2010
Finding the best dermatologist starts with your schedule. Doctors that do not offer weekend or evening hours are becoming a thing of the past.
Most of us work crazy schedules. Taking time off to see a “skin doctor” might be frowned upon. So first you want to find someone with hours that fit into your schedule.
Location is another important consideration. If you have plenty of money, you might consider flying to Michigan to see Nicholas Perricone or flying to New York to see Dennis Gross. But, you had better call the office first. Those famous guys might not be taking any new patients.
For most of us, taking a flight to have someone evaluate our skin problems is just not realistic. Ideally, you would choose a location within an hour’s drive of your home. Some procedures are accompanied by pain. So you’ll want to get home as soon as you can.
If you have a skin disease or a medical condition, insurance is another factor to consider. Although strictly cosmetic procedures are not covered by most health insurance policies, treatment for conditions like acne, psoriasis and eczema would be covered. Fungal infections are covered by some policies, as well.
The best dermatologist for you is one that has experience in treating your specific needs. For example, a person with lupus would want to consult a specialist in immuno-dermatology.
With the technology available today, your practitioner may be able to consult with specialists from around the world via tele-dermatology. This type of knowledge exchange is something that practitioners offer as a diagnostic tool.
So if you are concerned about whether or not your local doctors can figure out what’s wrong with your skin or what’s the best way to treat it, you can just ask if they have the ability to consult with other doctors. Usually the internet is used for that purpose.
There are famous dermatologists around the world. They often stop seeing patients as soon as they become famous.
Just because they are famous, does not necessarily mean they are better. The best dermatologist for you could be just down the street from your home.
Topics: Dermatology, Skin Care, Skin MD Blog, Skin Treatments | No Comments »
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