July 23, 2012 – So you’ve decided that your skin care routine could use some professional advice or maybe even a new treatment or cosmetic procedure. Maybe you’ve tried all of the over-the-counter skin care products for acne, wrinkles, lines and sun damage and still aren’t satisfied with the results. Or maybe you just want to be pro-active about anti-aging. No matter the reason you’re considering taking your skin care needs beyond your own abilities, finding a qualified dermatologist is the next step. But how do you find a good dermatologist and what questions should you ask? Read on to find out.
Word of mouth is a good way to find a dermatologist. If you have friends or family members who go to a dermatologist for skin care and are very satisfied with the treatment they get, then you may want to schedule an appointment with that dermatologist. If you don’t have any first-hand recommendations, you’ll have to start checking out local dermatologists and go from there. The American Academy of Dermatology has some good tips about finding a qualified dermatologist and we’ll go over those next.
The first thing you should ask at your initial dermatologist consultation is what education, training, experience and credentials he or she has. He or she should be board-certified, so be sure to ask about that.
You should also ask the dermatologist if he or she has had any experience and training in the particular skin treatment you are considering having. Before and after pictures of previous patients are always helpful, and most dermatologists can provide them.
Last, but not least, you should ask the dermatologist what results you can realistically expect from a procedure, if there is any downtime or special aftercare and what risks and possible complications are associated with the procedure.
A good dermatologist will take the time during an initial consultation to carefully evaluate your skin, answer any questions you have and offer advice on skin treatments and skin care for your individual needs.
If you think your skin care needs have gone beyond what you can provide on your own or if you just want the advice of a professional, take the time to find a qualified, board-certified dermatologist and take your skin care needs to the next level.
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