Is Your Dermatologist Board Certified?

It’s ‘about face’! The first thing we notice when we meet someone for the first time is their face. We all want to look our best and seeking out a board certified dermatologist is a good place to start. Skin imperfections can happen for a variety of reasons from genetics to sun damage and aging. With so many people wanting to look younger and healthier, it’s important to get the best advice and the best treatments from an experienced, board certified physician.

By Mary Lupo, MD
and Beverly Brooks
The Plastic Surgery Channel

Credentials for Credibility

Doing your homework when searching for a dermatologist is time well spent. There’s a lot we can learn from the internet, combined with asking questions of individual doctors. Selecting a board certified physician assures you that a physician has completed years of schooling, extensive training and passed rigorous training examinations in his/her specialty.

“I think it’s important for people to look for a physician who has completed an accredited course residency in dermatology,” says board certified dermatologist Mary Lupo, MD of New Orleans. “The board exams test the doctor’s knowledge, experience, and skills, all of which are important tools when it comes to providing quality patient care in dermatology.”

Things you may want to look for include credentials and certification with the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) or the American Board of Dermatology, Inc. (ABD). Both organizations adhere to the highest standards of excellency and come with rigorous prerequisites.

Beyond Board Certification

Becoming a cosmetic dermatologist requires more than years of school and residency. “If you are looking to change the appearance of your sun-damaged or aging skin, keep in mind not all dermatologists are created equal,” says Dr Lupo. “Some doctors are more focused on pediatric or immunology for example; a person such as myself has extra training after residency with the cosmetic aspect of dermatology.” Being heavily involved in clinical studies, teaching peers new techniques, lecturing frequently and involvement in clinical studies for the FDA means your doctor is at the highest tier of their profession.

Artistic and Aesthetic Appeal

Before and after photos can provide you with a lot of insight into the dermatologists blend of training and artistry. A good aesthetic eye is critical when you are looking for a cosmetic procedure. A combination of protocols including collagen fillers, light chemical peels and topical products may be needed to make the skin look years younger and healthier. It is not the use of one particular filler or laser, but rather the application of these tools in tandem that achieve the best possible result. The nuances of all these techniques can take several years of experience. Before and after photos are provided on most physician websites or you can request to see them during a consultation. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words!