Dermatologist Shortage?

It seems the demand for good dermatologists has increased dramatically over the past decade or so. It's no wonder, with all the new skin care products and procedures that have burst onto the skin care scene in the past twenty years.

These new skin care procedures and products range in appeal to ages for their effectiveness on everything from eczema and acne to facial firming and wrinkle removal.

This explosion in skin care technology has resulted in a related increase in demand for skin care professionals - AKA dermatologists, and there are currently not enough dermatologists in some major metropolitan areas to fulfill these demands.

What does this mean for patients? Apparently months-long waiting times for appointments, and the occasional turn-away for preferred providers who cannot accept new patients or have such long waiting periods that patients are forced to go elsewhere. So what does this mean if you have an urgent skin emergency?

Will you be bumped out of the way in favor of a patient who is solely having a cosmetic enhancement procedure performed?

According to some new surveys recently released, most practices do have some sort of backup system in place or alternative scheduling for those with urgent needs, and if they don't, the patient needs to stress their concern over say a spot on their body that appears to be cancerous or may be a worriesome irritation or rash of some sort.

I myself was put on a three month wait to get in to see one particular dermatologist who practices in a fairly metropolitan area near me. She was on my list of preferred providers for my health insurance, and I was referred to see her for a birthmark my primary care physician wanted checked out and have removed as a precautionary measure against cancer.

Since there was no imminent threat though, and it was strictly precautionary, I was pushed to the back of the line. This particular dermatologist, I noticed, had advertisements for various cosmetic procedures in the office, and I couldn't help but wonder how many of them had gotten in ahead of me.

To be fair though, my situation was not an emergency, and I'm sure if it were, they would have worked around their other appointments that were less urgent. However, this may not be the case with every practice, and the patient should be fairly forceful if they feel they need to see the doctor right away.

The shortage of dermatologists may resolve itself. Heck, it looks like it's a growing profession that many might be stepping into for areas of opportunity, so that may actually help the situation.

The fact still stands though, that with the ever changing world of dermatology and more and more demand for anti aging skin care, dermatologists will be a hot in-demand professional for years and years to come, and we may be fighting those wait lists for longer than we think!

Danna Schneider is the founder of two skin care and beauty online magazines with the latest cosmetic and beauty news, tips, "Skin Science", and top shelf products in skin and acne care : Acnezine reviews and Wrinkle cream and skin care reviews.

How A Dermatologist Can Help With Acne Problems

While a mild case of acne isn't necessarily a serious problem, it's still a good idea to see a dermatologist. They can give you helpful information about what could be causing your acne as well as the best treatments.

Plus, there is another skin condition called keratosis pilaris that is sometimes mistaken for acne and a dermatologist can tell you if that is what you're dealing with, saving you the time and hassles of using the wrong treatment.

It's a good idea to prepare for your visit with the dermatologist by making notes about your acne - as much as possible. They will ask you about your background - things like how long you've had acne, how you've treated it and what form it has taken (lesions, whiteheads, blackheads, etc.) They might also ask if there is a history of acne problems in your family.

Be sure to tell the doctor if you are allergic to any medications. Females might be asked about their menstrual cycle and males might need to tell the doctor how often they shave.

You might be given a choice of treatments so it helps to know a little about the options before you make your choice.

Antibiotics are one treatment - they're used to kill the bacteria that leads to acne. They can be taken orally or as a lotion or ointment that gets applied directly to the skin. In severe cases, it may be necessary to use both forms.

Topical treatments include things like benzoyl peroxide and retinoic acid. They usually come in the form of a gel and can sometimes cause redness and dry skin.

In more severe cases of acne, the dermatologist may recommend a physical treatment. This could include removal of whiteheads and blackheads and possibly drainage of cysts.

Whatever type of treatment you end up choosing, it's critical that you follow the doctor's directions. Take the recommended dosage - no more or no less. And even if your acne clears up, you need to continue to take the medication for as long as the doctor tells you to or the acne may reappear.

Some of the questions you should keep in mind to ask the doctor include:

- What kind of treatment would work best for my acne?
- How long will it take before I see results?
- What is the best way to care for my skin?
- What can I do to prevent scarring?
- Is it okay for me to use makeup?
- Does this treatment have any side effects?
- How long will I need to take this medication?

As acne treatments can go on for some time, make sure you ask any questions you have each time to see your doctor. Being as informed as possible will make your treatment much easier to deal with.

John Lenaghan writes about acne remedies and other acne related topics on the Acne Squad website. For more information visit http://www.acnesquad.com