Finding a board certified dermatologist can seem like finding a needle in a haystack.
Board certified dermatologists make up about 2% of all doctors in the country. And if you are looking for a Black board certified dermatologist, it can be even more challenging. Dermatology is the 2nd least diverse medical specialty. Only about 3% of all board certified dermatologists are African American. In this article we discuss 7 ways to get the most value when you have the opportunity to see this hard-to-find type of medical specialist.
The path to board certification in dermatology
Many think of dermatology as a soft, glamorous specialty that deals with only cosmetic facial injections and skin care recommendations. Board certified dermatologists, however, are medical doctors who must complete the following in order to have the credential that makes them experts in skin, hair and nail diseases:
- medical school — four years after college
- medical, pediatric or surgical internship- one year
- residency training- three years of accredited training in dermatology
- Maintenance of Certification – continually keeping up with the changes in medicine
Get the most out of your dermatology visit
Here are some things to know to get the most out of you visit with the board certified dermatologist you found:
- They are the experts in treating teen AND adult acne. Acne doesn’t just affect teens. Acne can last for decades into adulthood or even start in adulthood. It can leave annoying blemishes and scars—especially on dark skin. Although we sometimes perceive acne as an issue of vanity, it can have significant, long-term psychosocial and professional impact.
- They participate in health insurance plans. Perhaps because many people visit the dermatologist for cosmetic treatments, which are not covered by insurance, they think that dermatologists on the whole don’t participate in insurance plans. This is far from the truth. Some dermatologists, like some doctors in other specialties, don’t participate in insurance—which is their right. This does not mean that these doctors are better- it’s a business choice. If one looks in most networks, however, one can find thousands of dermatologists across the country who participate in insurance.
- They treat hair loss. Dermatologists are the experts in the diagnosis and treatment of hair loss—some specialize in it more than others. Diagnosis usually requires a consultation with a physical exam and sometimes a scalp biopsy or blood work. Treatment may require behavior change, medical or surgical care.
- They don’t just work on the face. Yes, some people specialize in facial cosmetics, however, dermatology includes treating the skin all over your body.
- They treat people of all ages. Although there is now a subspecialty of board-certified pediatric dermatologists who tend to handle the more complex cases in children, basic dermatology training includes both adults and children. Most pediatric dermatologists also trained to treat adults.
- They see people of all genders. Women access health care providers more than men– it’s just a statistic. Perhaps for this reason men sometimes think that dermatologists don’t see them! Nothing could be further from the truth. Dermatologists see patients of all genders–men, women, trans, non-binary, etc.
- They are your nail experts. Diagnosis and treatment of nail problems is a core part of a dermatologist’s training.
- Avoid “fake dermatologists.” Fake dermatologists are professionals who represent themselves to the public as dermatologists, sometimes even advertising themselves as “board-certified” who did not in fact do formal training and pass the certification examination in dermatology. Because of the perception that it is easy, and lucrative, many people who did not make the investment to get the knowledge and skills to provide the expert care patients deserve, nonetheless, offer dermatology services in the market place, often misrepresenting their credentials. “Fake derms” often focus on cosmetics, however, they may also attempt to treat your medical problems. In reality, it is not illegal for any medical doctor to practice under any specialty. It is, however, illegal to claim to be “board-certified” in a specialty one is not board-certified in. “Fake derms” also include non-doctors, such as physician extenders, who may also market themselves as “board-certified dermatology PAs” or as “board-certified dermatology NPs.” Extenders are only “certified” in general care—not specialties.
Author Dr. Dina Strachan is an internationally-recognized, Harvard and Yale educated, board-certified, black dermatologist in New York City.
