Key Takeaways
- Immunodermatology focuses on skin problems linked to the immune system, like lupus and pemphigus vulgaris.
- Dermatopathology combines dermatology and pathology to study diseases that affect the skin, hair, and nails.
- Cosmetic Dermatology deals with aesthetic treatments for the skin, hair, and nails, including procedures like laser treatments and liposuction.
- Pediatric Dermatology specializes in treating skin issues in children and adolescents, requiring knowledge of their unique skin properties and needs.
- Dermatoepidemiology blends epidemiology with dermatology to study the spread and prevention of skin diseases.
- Immunodermatology
- Dermatopathology
- Cosmetic dermatology
- Pediatric dermatologists
- Dermatoepidemiology
For those interested in the field of dermatology, there are a number of great dermatology specializations in ever-present demand. Dermatology, the medical branch specifically concerned with the skin, hair, and nails, is vast, and employs hundreds of thousands each day. For a deeper look into this field and some of its more specialized areas of focus, here is a brief rundown of five great dermatology specializations right now.
1. Immunodermatology
Immunodermatology is the specialized branch of dermatology that involves skin, hair, and nail issues related to the immune system or certain deficiencies thereof. Lupus, pemphigus vulgaris, and bullous pemphigoid are just some of the immune-related conditions treated by this type of specialist. To become specialized in this area of discipline, one must complete some additional educational requirements involving studies of the human immune system and its relation to the greater bodily systems.
2. Dermatopathology
As the term implies, dermatopathology is essentially a mixture of the otherwise separate dermatology and pathology disciplines. In more layman’s terms, dermatopathology is the highly specialized study of certain diseases of the hair, nails, and skin. Diseases specifically affect these areas of the body in a different way compared to other conditions and must be approached in unique ways. To work in this specialty, one can count on some considerable coursework that addresses pathology, or the study of diseases, in addition to that of dermatology.
3. Cosmetic Dermatology
Cosmetic dermatology is the specialized area of the field focused almost entirely on cosmetic or visual attributes of the skin, hair, and nails. These professionals themselves are also known to individually go into sub-specialty services such as laser treatments, liposuction, and more. While these doctors usually don’t perform procedures that are medically necessary to life, they no doubt change lives dramatically each and every day.
4. Pediatric Dermatology
Pediatric dermatologists primarily treat children and adolescents. This age group displays its own unique needs, body chemistry arrangements, skin properties, and more that call for a specialized approach. Prospective workers in this field can expect additional coursework in pediatric medicine in addition to dermatology studies.
5. Dermatoepidemiology
Finally, dermatoepidemiology combines epidemiology, the medical study of disease spread and prevention, with dermatology. This means that someone specialized here will understand disease communicability involving the skin, hair, and nails. By many in the medical realm, this understanding is considered to be the cornerstone of the entire medical community and human wellness as a whole. Communicable skin disease represents a relatively small portion of all dermatological issues but nonetheless, remains an important matter of global effect.
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Working in a specialized field of dermatology can offer incredible rewards, but it is important to also note that doing so requires some additional studies and educational credentials. According to the American Board of Dermatology: “Although all general dermatology residents receive comprehensive training in each of these subspecialties, candidates who pursue the additional year(s) of training in subspecialty fellowships will have met additional standards and qualifications that will prepare them for specialized careers in teaching, research, and/or the practice of these subspecialties.”
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