What to Know Before Going to a Dermatologist in Jamaica

Are you visiting a dermatologist for the first time, or planning to book your first dermatology consultation? Visiting a dermatologist isn’t exactly like visiting your primary care physician, and knowing everything you need to know before your appointment can make your first visit as smooth and productive as possible.

What should a patient know before going to a dermatologist? A patient should understand exactly what a dermatologist does and what they treat, and the telltale signs that it is time to get expert help with your skin, hair or nails. Finally, you should understand the best ways to prepare for the appointment and the most common mistakes to avoid during the visit.

What Does a Dermatologist Do?

Before you visit a dermatologist, you should understand exactly what dermatologists do and how they help their patients. In short, dermatology is the study and treatment of health issues related to the hair, nails, skin, and mucous membranes.

The largest organ in the body is the skin, covering the body’s entire outer surface and protecting it from injury and pathogens. The health of your skin is the first line of defense of your body’s health, which is why it is crucial to keep it as healthy as possible. Dermatologists are the doctors who best understand the interaction between the body and the skin, and how even simple rashes and other conditions can be signs of serious diseases.

So what are the most common reasons why people see dermatologists? According to the American Academy of Dermatology, dermatologists can diagnose and treat over 3,000 conditions. The most common conditions that dermatologists treat are “cosmetic” like acne, or mild issues that mostly affect self-esteem and image.

Here are some common conditions dermatologists treat:

• Acne
• Acne scars
• Eczema and dermatitis
• Hair loss
• Nail problems
• Warts
• Fungal infections
• Skin cancer
• Shingles
• Rosacea
• Psoriasis
• Vitiligo

If it is your first time seeing a dermatologist, you may want to have some idea as to the exact purpose of your visit, and whether or not this is within the expertise of your preferred dermatologist.

Can a Dermatologist Really Help?

Most of us may only have experience dealing with general practitioners or primary care physicians, and seeing a specialist doctor like a dermatologist may feel like taking an unnecessary visit to a hospital or clinic. One of the most common questions we get from interested patients is, “Can a dermatologist really help with my condition? What can I expect during my visit?”

Yes, if your condition is related to the skin, hair, nails, and the underlying connection between these, then a dermatologist should have the advanced knowledge and training to diagnose, treat, and help you.

Additionally, just because you might think that your condition is a cosmetic problem doesn’t mean that it doesn’t need to be evaluated by a professional. There are many cases where patients think that a sudden “pimple” might just be another pimple, but actually ends up being an early skin cancer.

Dermatologists are trained to spot, diagnose, and treat issues of the skin that other doctors might not catch. Here are some ways that serious conditions can be linked to a “cosmetic” condition:

• Diabetes patients are 50% likelier to show signs of psoriasis
• Eczema patients are at high-risk of developing serious eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma
• Major depression is commonly linked to patients suffering severe acne
• A sudden and severe loss of fat around the face can be a sign of AIDS

Common Dermatologist Procedures

So how exactly do dermatologists treat both cosmetic and medical issues? Dermatologists can employ a range of invasive and noninvasive treatments. These treatments can be performed in a hospital, but most dermatologists practice at a private clinic or office.

Some of the most common procedures performed by a dermatologist include:

1. Chemical Peels: Using a chemical solution to force the top layer of the skin to peel, allowing it to regenerate
2. Lesion Excision: Lesions may need to be excised or removed for a variety of reasons, such as the prevention of disease, cosmetic reasons, or prevention of infection
3. Microdermabrasion: Removing the skin’s top layer to improve general appearance
4. Laser Surgery: Laser, or light-based technology used to treat wrinkles, scars, moles, tumors, remove tattoos, and more
5. Biopsies: Skin biopsies are performed when suspected conditions need to be ruled out or diagnosed
6. Mohs Surgery: A specialized cancer surgery, usually performed on the face, that involves removing cancerous cells from the skin
7. Skin Grafts: Replacing missing skin with skin from other parts of the body
8. Cryotherapy: A treatment for benign conditions that utilizes liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy a specific affected area
9. Skin Resurfacing: Laser technology used to create new, healthy skin tissue to increase collagen production resulting in younger-looking skin
10. Cosmetic Injections: The use of Botox and/or dermal fillers to reduce scarring, wrinkles, and the appearance of fine lines

When is it Time to See a Dermatologist?

Seeing a dermatologist for the first time might not be something that most people are inclined to do. You might not think you have a serious condition or something to be worried about, so you might just prefer to ignore the problem and let it heal on its own. So how exactly do you know that it is time to see a dermatologist?

If you are asking yourself any of the following questions, then it might be time to check in with a dermatologist:

What is this stubborn rash and why won’t it go away? 

When over-the-counter creams or lotions won’t heal a stubborn rash, then it might be time to book an appointment. Diagnosing a rash yourself can be difficult because most rashes look the same to the untrained eye, whereas dermatologists are trained to understand the different shapes and patterns of rashes, and what those various rashes might be.

Why are my nails becoming a different color?

Nail discoloration is frequently a sign of fungal infections, although this can also be a sign of nutritional deficiencies, aging, medications, and various diseases. If this happens to you, you’ll want to visit a dermatologist to understand and treat your exact problem.

What is this new spot on my body?

New moles or changes in old moles are signs that you need a professional evaluation from a dermatologist. These can be signs of cancer, and detecting cancer as early as possible is the best way to defeat it.

Why has my skin become extra sensitive and also dry?

As you get older, the immune system of your skin gradually weakens due to environmental factors like pollens and UV rays. An annual screening with a dermatologist is the best way to understand the exact cause of your skin drying out and becoming sensitive.

Why won’t my acne go away?

Most people experience at least some form of acne, but for an unlucky few, acne can stick around longer than normal. In other cases, while your acne may go away, it may also leave you with acne scarring. Dermatologists have acne treatments, medications, and products specifically designed for any level of acne or acne scarring.