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Dermatology

What is dermatology?

By definition, dermatology is the study and research that specializes in treating disorders of the skin, hair, and nails.


Average Residency

Three years in addition to 1 postgraduate transitional year


Average Salary

$455,000

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Education Pathway

During your high school years, make sure to fulfill your A-G requirements. On top of that, it is highly recommended to take advanced math and science classes such as chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, physiology, anatomy, statistics, calculus, etc. After graduating from high school, you would need to attend a college or university earning a bachelor's degree in any field. Your degree does not have to be a science major, but it is recommended. Keep in mind that depending on the medical school you choose, there are certain science requirements beforehand. Next, during your junior year of college you would need to study and perform well on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Afterward, you would need to apply to a medical school. During your second year, you will need to perform well on your part 1 U.S Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) and part 2 USMLE during your final year of medical school. After completing medical school, you will apply and match into dermatology for residency. At the end of your residency, you will need to perform well on part three of USMLE. After completing your residency, passing all your exams, and obtaining your license, you might want to consider fellowship and board certification to pursue a subspecialty within dermatology. After finishing your whole journey through school, you can practice dermatology through a clinic or by opening your own private practice. Above all, remember to be curious, open-minded, and ready to adapt as medicine is always changing!


Subspecialties

  • Dermatopathology takes an additional eleven months to earn a certification after you completed your three-year dermatology residency. Keep in mind that dermatopathology certificates have a ten-year limit before you have to get recertified again. Dermatopathologists are physicians who are highly specialized in diagnosing disorders of the skin at the microscopic level. Some common cases include melanoma, immunologic, and pediatric diseases.

  • Pediatric dermatology takes an additional one year of fellowship after three years of dermatology residency or two years of pediatrics residency and three years of dermatology residency to complete. Pediatric dermatologists are physicians who specialize in treating infants, children, and teens who are suffering from diseases within the skin, hair, or nail. Some common cases they treat include pigmented birthmarks, eczema, etc.

  • Procedural dermatology takes an additional roughly one-year fellowship after three years of dermatology residency to complete. Procedural dermatologists are physicians who specialize in studying, diagnosing, and performing surgery for various skin diseases.


What can you do as a dermatologist?

As a dermatologist your main job is to help your patients, guiding them through the treatment process while being patient with them. After a few years of being a dermatologist, you can even open your own private dermatology practice. Having your own private practice allows you to have control over your business, possibly more freedom. However, make sure to be responsible and organized as it might be stressful managing your own private practice.


Factors to consider

There are many factors to consider before you decide that you really want to pursue a career as a dermatologist. For example, as a dermatologist, you should be kind, caring, and patient with your patients. In addition, good communication is crucial with your co-workers and patients because it promotes a friendly and safe environment! Lastly, are you willing to go to school for ten plus years, and on top of that go through many exams? Are you willing to miss out on some fun during your twenties? How about the huge student loan debt that comes after you completed school? These factors may be intimidating, but if you are a detail-orientated, hard-working student, and willing to adapt to new environments, then, by all means, pursuing a career dermatologist can be an awesome job for you!


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