Dermatology encompasses the study, treatment, and pathology of conditions and diseases that affect the skin. Most dermatologists will have to be properly licensed in their region before practicing their profession. Jobs in dermatology range from pediatric to teledermatology, and from cosmetic to procedural to immune system studies.
Medical professionals who cater to the dermatological field will usually have many years of work and educational experience. Most positions in dermatology are competitive, with students holding a four-year degree, medical school credentials, and having completed doctoral fellowships. Dermatology jobs share the same route, with some professionals deciding to take on certifications and specializations in other branches.
Pediatric dermatologists diagnose young children with any variety of skin ailments. The immune system of a child tends to be susceptible to diseases. These jobs in dermatology are usually allocated in day cares and clinics, actively diagnosing infections, diseases, and common skin conditions that affect infants like diaper rash.
There are certain jobs in dermatology that encompass the forefront of medical technologies, with teledermatology being one of the more recent as of 2011. It is a medical branch where telecommunication devices are used to exchange medical information via audio, photographs, and other forms of data. This branch of dermatology allows the practitioner to view skin ailments remotely in real-time usually via the internet. Though it is difficult to diagnose without seeing a patient in person, teledermatologists are usually called upon to reinforce medical opinions.
A cosmetic dermatologist specializes in treating and restoring the appearance of aged skin. Cosmetic dermatologists share similar career routes with a plastic surgeon, but cosmetic dermatologists tend to cater to more superficial ailments that don't require invasive procedures. Some of the more common procedures executed by a cosmetic dermatologist are facial peels, face lifts, and microdermabrasion treatments.
Jobs in dermatology that deal with more invasive procedures on the skin are generally handled by procedural dermatologists. This involves special training and experience with surgical techniques. Procedural dermatologist share similar roots with cosmetic surgeons, however, most professionals who want a career in procedural dermatology will usually need the correct type of credentials.
Genital dermatology encompasses the study and diagnostics of ailments that affect the skin in the genital area. Most genital dermatologists are able to treat a number of ailments. Some professionals are able to focus on other branches of genital dermatology, such as disease prevention and sexual health.
Immunodermatology caters to the pathology, health, and structure of immune-related skin ailments like lupus and chicken pox. Many immunodermatologists use their expertise in immunopathology labs in medical centers. These professionals are commonly called upon to test the safety of topical skin treatments before being commercially available.