How to Find a Dermatologist Near You

If you’ve started noticing rosacea symptoms, dark spots on skin, acne, or hair loss, you’re likely trying to find a dermatologist that isn’t just skilled and experienced, but also nearby. But how do you choose the right one for you?

Read on to uncover how the AAD (American Academy of Dermatology Association) recommends you find the closest dermatologist compared to how you can swiftly find the perfect fit through Cortina’s website. Here are a few questions to ask yourself first:

1. What Are My Skincare Needs?

Scouring the internet for the “best dermatologist near me,” won’t produce a specific enough result. Instead, start by identifying your specific dermatology needs: are they cosmetic, medical, or surgical? Here’s how to differentiate:

• Cosmetic Dermatology – If you hope to cosmetically improve your skin, e.g., for anti-aging purposes or to heal sun damage or scarring, you’ll need a cosmetic dermatologist. Common cosmetic skincare treatments include different types of facials, peels, and laser procedures. ‍
• Medical Dermatology – Acute and chronic skin conditions and diseases like psoriasis, eczema, skin cancer, acne, and dermatitis require treatment by a physician specializing in medical dermatology. ‍
• Surgical Dermatology – This category focuses on skin surgery, including wart removal, cyst removal, mole removal, scar revision, skin tag removal, lipoma removal, skin cancer removal, and more.
  

If you’re unsure what category your skin condition falls under, call a dermatologist nearby and ask if they specialize in your matter of concern. You may find out that you need a combination of two or all of the above.

2. Does This Dermatologist Treat My Skin Color?

People of different skin colors have different dermatology needs, which is why it’s best to find a dermatologist who is experienced in treating your skin color. Ideally, you would locate someone who has published work on your topic of concern and/or your skin color.

Working with a dermatologist specialized in treating skin of color is especially important if you’re looking for laser or microneedling scar treatments. That’s because dark skin is more prone to developing keloids or excessive scarring. If not treated by an experienced professional, these complications can be exacerbated.

Aside from assessing your skin, a qualified dermatologist should also check your hair and scalp, which makes it even more important to be treated by someone experienced with different types of skin color and hair.

‍

3. What Are the Dermatologist’s Credentials?

No matter what type of doctor you’re looking for, it’s essential that you know their credentials before meeting them. Nowadays, most physicians have their education and training, including credentials and certifications listed on their websites.

If they are board-certified, their name will be followed by FAAD (“Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology”).

Here’s an overview of the board certifications that you should check for:

• American Board of Dermatology
• American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

The American Academy of Dermatology and the American Board of Dermatology allow you to check their board certification, an indication they’ve undergone extensive training in dermatology. The American Board of Dermatology also has an option to search for certified dermatologists by zip code, allowing you to find a dermatologist near you.

4. What Do Their Online Reviews Say About Them?

The most common way for people to decide on a product or service is through reviews. Once you know a dermatologist is professionally qualified, you can check what past patients have to say about them to determine if they are the right fit for you.

Aside from Google and Yelp, you can also check websites that rate doctors, including:

• RateMDs.com
• Vitals.com
• HealthGrades.com

It’s not just important that reviews describe their clinics as clean and welcoming, but their staff as friendly, honest, and transparent, especially in regards to their fees. You’ll want to find out what patients have to say about the dermatologist’s bedside manners, results, and whether they are driven by sales rather than concerned with their patients’ needs.

While you should keep an eye out for red flags, do remember that most people are only motivated to leave a review if they’ve had a bad experience with a dermatologist. Therefore, always take reviews with a grain of salt.

How to Prepare for Your Visit

The AAD recommends you prepare your visit by writing down the following:

• Any questions you have
• Medications you take and their dosages
• Your medical history and concerns
• Your family medical history (especially instances of skin cancer or other serious diseases)

Additionally, follow these tips:

• Bring a copy of your lab results
• Don’t wear makeup or too much moisturizer
• Remove any nail polish
• Bring a notebook and pen to write down any complex information the doctor will share

How to Save Time with Cortina’s Fully Online Service

With the advancements in technology and a growing shift toward online consultations, you can save ample time and money when booking a dermatologist through Cortina’s online medical booking service. Here are the key benefits of going the Cortina route:

• Qualifications – ALL Cortina physicians are board-certified so you won’t have to spend time researching their qualifications.
• Insurance – Insurance isn’t required. You just pay a fee of $29.99/month for physician access and medications.
• No Wait Time – Cortina’s physicians are available 24/7, so you’ll never have to wait weeks or months for an appointment again. 
• No Commute or Need for Parking – Since your appointment takes place online, you can conveniently schedule it during a lunch break or at night without having to take time off work, commute or find parking at the doctor’s office. 
• Notetaking – Instead of worrying about taking down notes during your appointment, our web portal conveniently captures all communications for you to go back to anytime.

Follow-up Visits – For any follow-up questions or visits, you can simply send your physician a message through the portal instead of having to visit their office again.

‍

Key Takeaways

To get the best treatment for your skin, scalp, or hair conditions, you need to find a dermatologist that specializes in your area of concern. Instead of choosing the closest dermatologist to you, you can conveniently book an appointment with a guaranteed board-certified dermatologist through Cortina – this will save you time and money in the long term.

So whether you’re looking for the best acne treatment, help with hair loss, or a different solution for your specific skin issue, Cortina is the best place to book appointments with high-quality physicians safely, quickly, and conveniently.

‍