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January 23, 2026Preparing for a dermatology visit can help you get the most value from your appointment. Bringing up specific questions about your skin, hair, and nails allows your provider to address your unique concerns. Understanding what a dermatologist treats, when to seek care, and what services are available makes sure you are well prepared.
What Conditions Can They Treat?
A dermatologist is a medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis and management of conditions affecting skin, hair, and nails. Their expertise covers a broad range of concerns, both common and complex. Conditions frequently evaluated and managed by dermatologists include:
- Acne: A condition that impacts individuals of all ages, presenting as pimples, cysts, or blackheads.
- Eczema: This causes red, itchy, and inflamed skin.
- Rosacea: Characterized by facial redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes pimple-like bumps.
- Skin Cancer: Dermatologists detect and manage various forms of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
- Age Spots and Sun Damage: These issues involve changes in skin pigmentation or texture due to aging and sun exposure.
For a complete list of conditions, you can ask directly about specific symptoms during your visit.
When Should You Seek Care?
Knowing when to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist supports timely evaluation and management. Early evaluation may help identify pre-cancerous changes or skin cancers. Key reasons to seek dermatology care include:
- Changes in Moles: Moles that change in size, shape, or color, or develop irregular borders or multiple colors, should be examined.
- Skin Growths or Lesions: Any persistent or changing skin growths, including lumps, bumps, or non-healing sores.
- Persistent Rashes or Redness: Rashes that do not resolve, are painful, or cause discomfort may require assessment.
- Symptoms of Eczema or Psoriasis: Persistent redness, swelling, scaling, or itchiness that does not improve.
- Changes in Nails: Discoloration, thickening, or abnormal growth of the nails.
Regular skin checks, especially if you have a personal or family history of skin cancer or significant sun exposure, are also recommended.
What Services Do They Provide?
Dermatology practices provide a comprehensive range of diagnostic, medical, surgical, and cosmetic services for patients. Medical dermatology typically involves thorough assessments and management of conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and warts. For skin cancer, dermatologists offer evaluation, biopsy, and, when appropriate, removal of suspicious lesions. Surgical procedures are performed to excise cancerous tissue with a focus on preserving healthy skin; this includes procedures like Mohs surgery. Dermatologists address benign and precancerous growths by removing cysts, skin tags, or other lesions when necessary.
Attention to the effects of sun exposure and aging is another aspect of dermatology services. This includes evaluating changes in skin pigmentation, rough patches, or other age- and sun-related alterations. Dermatologists also diagnose and treat nail and hair disorders, such as nail fungus or unexplained hair loss. Many practices extend their care to include cosmetic services, which often involve elective procedures like chemical peels, treatments for spider veins, and minimally invasive approaches. During your visit, you can ask about treatment options, follow-up care, and any risks associated with specific procedures.
Speak Further With a Dermatologist
A dermatologist can help diagnose and address a wide range of concerns related to your skin, hair, and nails. Open communication provides an opportunity to clarify your goals and learn more about your options. Bringing up questions about both medical and cosmetic services can help you understand what treatments are available and which might best meet your needs.
