Dermatology treats patients with a wide variety of skin, hair and nail conditions. Treatment procedures can be carried out for both medical and cosmetic purposes.

The skin is the largest organ of your body so it’s not surprising that skin conditions and diseases are extremely common. Almost everyone experiences symptoms of a dermatology condition in their lifetime. There are many different types of skin conditions. They can have a serious impact on your health and well-being such as sleep loss, poor self-image, and depression, and they can be a sign of an underlying disease.

Dermatology also addresses cosmetic concerns such as wrinkles, sagging skin and scarring.

Dermatologists may investigate and diagnose a multitude of skin problems using a dermatoscope. They can treat dermatology conditions using a variety of options including laser surgery, photo dynamic therapy, UV light therapy, cryotherapy, Mohs surgery and medications such as steroid creams

There are subspecialties of dermatology that include:

• General dermatology
• Paediatric dermatology
• Mole checks
• Minor skin surgery for moles, cysts, skin tags and warts
• Diagnostic biopsies and skin cancer removal such as Mohs surgery (removes your skin tumour without harming healthy cells)
• Hair and nail conditions.

You should see a dermatologist if you have any of the following:

• Severe acne – if your acne is widespread on your face or body and pharmacy products aren’t helping. A dermatologist can give you prescription-strength topical and oral medications or intensive therapies such as chemical peels and laser treatments.
• Inflamed, itchy and red skin – you may have eczema or rosacea.
• Red, itchy and dry skin patches – may indicate psoriasis if they are on your elbows, chest, scalp, knees and lower back. Dermatologists treat psoriasis with medications, creams and ointments.
• White patches on your skin – called vitiligo. It can get better by itself but if not, a dermatologist can prescribe creams to help.
• Changing colour, shape, texture or size of skin growths and moles - a dermatologist will inspect any suspicious skin area for skin cancer.
• Skin or nail infections – if you develop skin discoloration, itching, pus or warts you may have a yeast, bacteria, viruses and fungus infection that needs treatment.
• Hair loss – such as bald patches or thinning hair can be a sign of a serious condition. Your dermatologist can determine the reason why your hair is falling out and recommend treatment to restore growth or reduce hair loss visibility.
• Scars – a dermatologist can offer treatment for scars from acne, blemishes, or cuts and scrapes, including laser treatment therapy and microdermabrasion.
• Wrinkles and age spots - a dermatologist can recommend and perform therapies to reduce wrinkles, tighten your skin and give you a more youthful appearance. Treatments may include dermal fillers, chemical skin peels, laser skin resurfacing, and light therapy.

Conditions treated by a dermatologist include:

• Acne - pimples and lumps on your skin caused by excess oil production, clogged hair follicles and bacteria.
• Dermatitis - red, swollen and sore skin due to irritation or allergy
• Eczema - itchy, inflamed and rough skin that may bleed
• Psoriasis - red, itchy and scaly skin patches
• Fungal infections - skin or nail infection caused by a fungus
• Warts - viral, small and hard skin growth
• Cold sore - inflamed blister near your mouth caused by herpes simplex virus
• Skin cancer - out-of-control growth of abnormal cells in your outermost skin layer.

Acne and inflammatory skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis are the most common dermatological conditions treated by health care practitioners and dermatologists.

The recovery process after seeing a dermatologist will depend on your skin, hair or nail condition and what tests or treatments are recommended.

For example, if you have Mohs surgery you may have some pain afterwards. This can be managed using acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Your surgeon will advise you on wound and after surgery care. You will have a scar that will continue to heal for around 12 months. You will need follow up appointments, typically every six months.

If you have phototherapy, you can immediately go back to your normal activities. You will need multiple treatments from six to 25 to see results on your skin.

The costs of a dermatologist vary from patient to patient. They depend on your dermatologist, the dermatology tests and treatments performed, and your chosen Ramsay hospital.

You will receive a formal quotation price that is valid for 60 days.

Dermatology tests for medical reasons are often covered by medical insurance. We advise you to check with your insurance provider for their written confirmation before your dermatology care. If you are seeing a dermatologist for cosmetic reasons, your care will not be covered by private medical insurance.

If you are paying for your dermatology care yourself, we offer a variety of payment options including pay-as-you-go and interest-free finance.

Ramsay’s skilled and experienced consultant dermatologists offer local and convenient appointments to diagnose and treat a wide range of skin conditions.

They see patients with common skin complaints such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, and lumps or bumps on your skin, such as moles, cysts, warts or skin tags as well as serious skin conditions such as skin cancers.

Our network of Ramsay hospitals offers the latest surgical and non-surgical treatment options based on your specific skin condition. Surgery includes minor skin surgery to remove moles, cysts, skin tags and warts and Mohs surgery for skin cancers. Non-surgical medical treatments include photo dynamic therapy, cryotherapy and medications such as steroid creams.

Ramsay’s skilled dermatologists also offer cosmetic skin procedures to improve the aesthetic appearance of your face and other skin areas. Patients can have facial rejuvenation treatment using dermal fillers, skin and facial peels, dermaroller and laser treatment.