Dermatologists are healthcare professionals specializing in treating conditions of the skin, hair, and nails. Find out the common dermatologic procedures they conduct and how they can help you.
Skin Biopsy
Skin biopsy is a simple procedure done under local anesthesia which is used to determine whether a person has skin cancer and the type of skin cancer they have. This procedure involves removing a small piece of skin to get it tested by a pathologist.
There are three techniques used to perform this procedure, and your dermatologist will determine what to use depending on the type of growth you’re trying to have tested.
Chemical Peel
A chemical peel is another common procedure performed by a dermatologist. It’s gaining popularity in recent years due to its perceived benefits in improving skin appearance by removing the damaged outer layer of the skin.
It also helps correct uneven skin colour, removes precancerous skin growths, and treats acne scars. It may also help treat wrinkles caused by sun damage and scarring as well as skin blemishes.
It can be performed on the face, neck, chest, hands, arms, and legs. It requires a healing period of up to three weeks while the skin peels and heals and may cause complications if aftercare instructions are not followed.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion has a similarity to chemical peel in that it removes the outer layer of the skin to remove fine wrinkles and minimize scars. However, instead of using chemicals to facilitate peeling, dermatologists use a high-speed rotating brush to manually remove the top layer of skin.
This is best for treating deep acne scars. The level of the skin to be surgically sloughed will depend on the size and depth of scars and degree of wrinkling.
Surgery
Dermatologists also conduct surgery but are often limited to minor operations. Removing moles and warts are some of the most common procedures they can perform.
If a dermatologist chooses to specialize in extensive surgeries, they can do so. In this case, they can perform more complicated procedures such as removing benign cysts or skin cancer.
Dermatologists specializing in cosmetic surgery will have the license to conduct cosmetic procedures like rhinoplasty, lip injections, dermal fillers, botox, implants, tummy tucks, and others.
They are useful for improving or restoring the appearance of people and boosting confidence.
Patch Test
Aside from cosmetic procedures, dermatologists also conduct skin patch tests. In this procedure, allergens are placed on patches which will then be placed on your skin to determine whether you have allergies.
Skin patch tests are often simple and painless but may cause itching as a side effect.
More Resources
Dermatologists perform many different kinds of procedures that are related to the skin. If you want to keep your skin healthy, you also have to take care of your other organs.
Find more health resources to keep you strong in the articles below:
