How to Select your Dermatologist

Submitted by Patrick Hatfield on

Dermatologists are experts in the care of your skin.  Determining the best one for your particular needs may be challenging.  Dermatologists are specialized skin care experts and you need to find one that fits into your life.  Below are some tips to consider when starting your dermatologist search.

Location – Search your drivable area and think about the length of time you are willing to travel for skin care services.  Then consider the office location and if it is hard to reach or get good parking.  Some locations can be hard to get into and may be fairly busy.  Also, think about the easiest location for you to reach, but don’t make this the one determining factor. Our office is conveniently located on Eagle Mountain in Batesville, AR.

Availability – Call some offices to see how quickly they can get you in for an appointment.  Also, determine how long they schedule appointments for on a consultation.  You want a doctor who is willing to spend time with you and devote their services to you without a rushed feeling.  They should spend time to answer any questions you may have and make you feel comfortable.  Dr. Hatfield always takes the time to answer your questions.

Sales – There are dermatologists out there that only care about the sales and ability to try new products.  Some of them will even get kick back from the vendors to perform services. They should not be trying to sell you and bombard you with unneeded or unwanted services to push their agenda.  Watch for tons of pamphlets and ads all over the office trying to draw you in.

Samples – Vendors will always provide samples for dermatologists to give to their patients.  Make sure your dermatologist is willing to provide samples for you to try to see what product works best, instead of prescribing products that you will have to purchase that may not work.  Your dermatologist should let you try a variety of products for testing and then determine the best course of action to proceed in your treatment.

After-hours – When trying new products, you may experience adverse reactions and need an emergency consult.  Ensure that your dermatologist has an after-hours number where you can reach someone to help with your condition.  This is especially important if you experience an allergic reaction to some of the products you are using.  This is why dermatologists like you to use one product at a time, to see their efficacy and to monitor any side effects.

Credentials – Check the American Board of Dermatology website to determine if your dermatologist is board-certified.  These dermatologists have years of specialized experience and must pass rigorous exams to ensure they are the cream of the crop. You can also see ratings from others when you check their credentials online.  Investigate their reviews and learn about what others have experienced when using them for dermatology service.  Do your due diligence to ensure they are someone you want to invest time and money with.