Dermatology in United States

Dermatology is a branch of medicine that focuses on health issues affecting the skin, nails, hair, and mucous membrane. It is a specialty with both surgical and medical aspects. A dermatologist can address cosmetic issues, which can help to rejuvenate the appearance of the skin, nails, and hair. Being a dermatologist requires a great depth of clinical knowledge, including the variety of internal health problems that may cause skin symptoms. Dermatologists can treat over 3,000 conditions. Some of the most common are acne, dermatitis and eczema, hair loss, nail problems, fungal infections, warts, vitiligo, and skin cancer.

Dermatology has a number of departments and specialties, including:

• Cosmetic Dermatology – dermatologists have been the leaders in cosmetic surgery. Many dermatologists are trained on the use of fillers, botulinum toxin, and laser surgery. Some dermatologists also perform blepharoplasty, liposuction, and facelifts. However, most dermatologists limit their cosmetic practice to minimally invasive procedures.
• Dermatopathology – this field is a joint specialty of dermatology and pathology. It focuses on the study of cutaneous diseases at molecular and microscopic levels. Dermatopathology can make a definitive diagnosis of various skin diseases, including melanoma.
• Trichology – this is the study of the hair and the scalp. This field of dermatology deals with diseases such as hair loss, scalp changes, hypertrichosis, and hair abnormalities.
• Immunodermatology – this filed specializes in immune-mediated skin diseases, such as bullous pemphigoid and lupus.
• Pediatric Dermatology – pediatric dermatologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases in children, which include newborns and infants.

What does the Procedure Involve?

A range of medical and cosmetic procedures are used to manage issues affecting the skin, nails, and hair. Many skin conditions can be treated by medications and noninvasive procedures, while others may require more invasive approaches. The following are several dermatologic procedures:

• Cosmetic injections – cosmetic injections can temporarily address scarring, wrinkles, and reduced facial fullness. A dermatologist can inject botulinum toxic (Botox) or fillers, such as fat and collagen. The results may last for a few months before you need another injection.
• Chemical peels – this procedure is used to treat some types of acne, as well as sun-damaged skin. It can also treat other cosmetic complaints, such as lines under the eyes and age spots. During chemical peels, a chemical solution is applied to the skin. This chemical solution causes a layer of skin to peel off, revealing regenerated skin beneath it that is typically a lot smoother.
• Dermabrasion – this type of procedure uses a high-speed rotating brush to remove the top layer of the skin, which can help reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles and tattoos, scar tissue, and potentially precancerous areas of the skin.
• Cryotherapy – cryotherapy involves freezing skin lesions, usually with liquid nitrogen, to destroy the affected cells. It can be a quick treatment for a number of benign skin issues, such as warts.
• Hair removal or restoration – various methods can be used to address hair loss, such as hair transplants. On the other hand, dermatologists can use lasers to remove unwanted hair from the body.
• Excision of lesions – skin lesions may be cut away to prevent a disease from spreading, to improve symptoms, for cosmetic reasons, or to prevent reoccurring infection. Excision of lesions may be done under a local or general anesthetic.
• Laser surgery –can be used to treat a number of cosmetic problems or skin issues, such as warts, tumors, moles, scars, birthmarks, wrinkles, and unwanted tattoos.
• Tumescent liposuction – this procedure is used by dermatologists to remove fat. Large volumes of local anesthetic are injected into fatty tissue, then it is sucked from the body. Note that tumescent liposuction is performed to contour the body, not to treat obesity.
• Vein procedures – people with superficial leg veins, called spider veins, may want them removed. Several procedures can be done to remove them, but sclerotherapy is the most popular treatment. It involves injecting a special solution or a foam into the vein. The special solution and foam irritate the lining, causing the vein to become less noticeable or, in some cases, disappear completely.
• Skin grafts and flaps – missing skin can be restored using skin from other areas on the body. Dermatologists can also repair skin loss by making a flap of skin from a nearby area of the body. The flap of skin is then used to cover the damaged patch.
• Biopsies – a skin biopsy is usually needed to diagnose or rule out certain conditions.
• Mohs surgery – this procedure is a treatment for skin cancer. It involves removing layers of skin in order to get rid of cancerous cells. The removed skin layers are then examined under a microscope. Then, successive layers are removed until there are no more cancerous cells found in the skin.
• PUVA – Psoralen combined with ultraviolet radiation (PUVA) is a procedure to treat several skin diseases, such as vitiligo, dermatitis, and psoriasis. Psoralen is a drug that can make the skin more sensitive to radiation treatment.

How Long Should I Stay in United States?

Depending on the type of procedure you have, you may be able to leave the hospital on the same day or stay for several days. For noninvasive treatments, such as chemical peels and cosmetic injections, you should be able to leave the hospital on the same day and fly home within a couple of days. For invasive procedures, particularly to treat serious medical conditions, such as cancer, you may need to stay in the hospital for several days, and stay in United States for at least 10 to 14 days. Your surgeon and/or medical travel team will advise you on this matter.

What's the Recovery Time?

Recovery time will vary depending on the type of procedure you have, the reason why you have the procedure in the first place, and your general health. Your dermatologist will usually give you a detailed recovery timeline for each procedure. In general, recovery time for nonsurgical procedures is typically short and you should be able to resume your normal routine within a few days. For surgical procedures, it may take several weeks until you are allowed to return to your full daily activities.

What About Aftercare?

Your dermatologist will give you a set of instructions to care for yourself during the recovery period. The instructions will be different for each type of procedures, but they may include a diet plan, light exercises to follow, how to care for your surgical wounds or affected area, activities you can or cannot do, signs of complications to be aware of, and medication to take. It is important that you follow your dermatologist’s instructions closely in order to avoid complications and to obtain the best possible results.

Some cosmetic procedures may not be permanent, such as dermal fillers and Botox, so you will need to have regular treatments in order to maintain the results. For skin cancer treatment, you may need to attend follow-up checkups to ensure that cancer has not come back.

What's the Success Rate?

Experienced and skilled dermatologists will be able to deliver a high success rate and satisfactory results. However, every type of procedure carries some risk, which may include infection, swelling, bleeding, adverse reaction to anesthesia, and unsatisfactory results.

Are there Alternatives to Dermatology?

If you have any problems with your skin, going to a dermatologist is the only way to treat it. However, if the skin problem is caused by an underlying condition, your doctor or dermatologist will recommend you to see relevant doctors to treat it.

What Should You Expect Before and After the Procedure?

Before seeing a dermatologist, you may have a problem with your skin. You may not like the wrinkles on your face, or you may have a lesion that needs to be removed. After receiving treatment from a dermatologist, your skin problems should be addressed. You may be able to achieve your dream appearance, any disease you had before may be treated.

Dermatology in and around United States

About the United States

With a population of over 327 million people, the United States of America (USA) is the third most populous country in the world. It has endless options for visitors with beaches, snow-covered mountains, forests, big cities; travelers will have many different experiences. The country is also a top global destination for medical travel. Although procedures can cost a lot more when compared to Asian countries, people from all over the world come to the United States to get treated with advanced technology and competent medical professionals. The skilled and experienced doctors are mostly trained in world-renowned universities including Stanford and Harvard. Medical tourists come from the Caribbean, Europe, and Central America and almost any procedure can be done in the country, whether it is complex procedures or a difficult diagnosis.  

Popular Parts of the United States

• New York City is home to various iconic landmarks. Tourists will find world-famous sites around every corner and there are just so many things that tourists should not miss, such as the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Staten Island Ferry, Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and MoMA. Art is an essential part of the city and museums devoted to every type of art is available from Japanese sculpture, medieval European treasures, to Himalayan textiles. The city is also known to have an incredible food scene. Tourists are welcome to dine at one of the city’s 74 Michelin-starred restaurants or try the food trucks. At night, the city comes alive with the legendary theater of Broadway, burlesque performance, ballet, music, and so many more.
• Los Angeles is home to Hollywood, natural beauty, and architecture. It is filled with movie stars, musicians, and surfers. Tourist who loves film will be delighted to tour TCL Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Paramount Picture Studios. Most tourists will enjoy relaxing in Venice Beach, Zuma Beach, and the Santa Monica Pier and Beach. Tourists can also take a day trip to the “Happiest Place on Earth,” Disneyland-Anaheim, wander around Griffith Park, or see the beautiful Getty Museum.
• Dallas is a cosmopolitan city that is overflowing with culture and pride. The city is famous for Cowboys, cheerleaders, and unique attractions. Museums are probably the best points of interest in the city, including the Sixth Floor Museum and Perot Museum of Nature & Science. Tourists also have many options to hang out in since the city is filled with trendy restaurants, boutiques, and cafes. If you want to see some beautiful flowers, visit the Dallas Arboretum. It is a beautiful botanical garden that showcases plants and flowers in themed gardens.
• Chicago is a city of many things. Whether you want to visit jazz clubs, fine dining, admire its skyscrapers, or go shopping, you will find something to do in this city. Some of the top attractions are Hancock Observatory, Shedd Aquarium, Millennium Park, and Lincoln Park Conservatory and Zoo. Everywhere you walk, you will find astonishing art and architecture, such as an abstract Picasso statue and the Museum of Mexican Art.

Weather and Climate in the United States

The United States has a wide variety of climates, which makes it a year-round destination. In general, the country experiences four distinct seasons. Summer starts in June and ends in August. During the summer, the northern states enjoy warm days and cool nights, and the southern states and tropical areas experience very hot temperatures. Autumn is from September to November and the season brings cooler temperatures to the country. December to February is the winter months and the northern areas will encounter snow and colder temperatures, but the southern areas experience mild temperatures. The temperatures all around the country will begin to warm up during the spring months from March to May and expect to find many thunderstorms and rainstorms during this season.

Getting Around in the United States 

The United States is well connected by plane since it has more than 375 domestic airports and numerous international airports. Most tourists will arrive in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, John F. Kennedy International Airport, or O’Hare International Airport. These airports serve domestic and international flights to many parts of the world. The airports also operate many carriers such as Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, United, and American Airlines. 

The most affordable way to get around the USA is by bus. Many bus companies go across the country such as Greyhound, Mega Bus, Peter Pan, and Bolt Bus. However, it is important to note that long-distance travel can take a long time. The nicer option to travel around the country is by Amtrak trains. It is by no means fast, but tourists can relax and enjoy the landscape. If you wish to travel by train, tourists can purchase money-saving passes. The most popular way to travel around the USA is by car. Petrol is generally cheaper compared to the United Kingdom and it gives tourists the freedom to go wherever they want. Taxis are plentiful in most cities and can be very inexpensive. Many taxis are painted in bright yellow, making them easy to distinguish. Taxi can be hailed directly from the streets and the fare is run on a meter.

Tourist Visas in the United States

All visitors must obtain a visa to visit the United States of America unless they come from one of the visa-exempt or Visa Waiver Program countries. There are four countries and Bermuda that have visa exemption access to the US. Currently, citizens of 38 countries are selected for the Visa Waiver Program, including Australia, Japan, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Other nationals not listed in the visa-exempt or Visa Waiver Program should apply and obtain a visa before entering the country. It is advisable to always check with your nearest US Embassy for the visa policy.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the US dollar ($). It is known as a ‘global currency.’ Check XE.com for the current exchange rate to your local currency.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are available almost everywhere around the country. Major credit and debit cards are universally accepted in restaurants, hotels, shops. Credit cards are required to book domestic flights. Tipping is not optional, so make sure to always leave some tips. 
3. Local Language: The main language in the country is American English. Many people will be able to speak Spanish.
4. Local Culture and Religion: The USA is home to many religions and most of the population follows Christianity, but there are small groups of Jews and Muslims. 
5. Public Holidays: Some of the most celebrated holidays in the USA are New Year’s Day, Independence Day, US Indigenous People’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.