What To Expect During Your First Appointment With A Dermatologist

The dermatologist will ask your complete medical history.

History of any illness or skin disease within your family or other illnesses that may have skin manifestations such as dengue fever, viral exanthems, monkeypox, etc. Any personal or family illnesses like hypertension, diabetes, autoimmune disease that can affect the choice or outcome of the treatments.  For example a person with diabetes might have a different result when doing a laser treatment compared to a person without pre-existing illness. All of these scenarios will be discussed during the consultation.

You will be asked for your our detailed story.

It is important to tell the exact time or circumstances leading to your skin concern or problem such as using a new skin care, hair product or make up, eating an unusual type of food, applying or using a new kind or formulation of soaps, lotions, or creams. Newer formulation products may contain ingredients that you are allergic to or irritants that can make the skin drier and itchier than usual. Recent studies have found a relationship between food like dairy, nuts, and chocolate with acne breakouts. Information on sleeping habits and other sources of “stressful situations” like change of work, heartbreak, or misunderstanding with family members is also important because it can cause a spike in cortisol that can also lead to acne or sometimes hair loss.

Your dermatologist will ask the beginning and the end.

How did the lesion start? Did it start like a small bump? Skin colored? Or with pus or fluid inside? Did it remain the same or change in appearance like developing scales or scabs. This information will be taken into consideration when making the right diagnosis for your skin concern.

The dermatologist will also perform a thorough skin physical examination.

From head to toe to look for any signs of infection, irritation, eczema, allergy, hair loss, skin cancer, or tumors. Some lesions may have a certain type of distribution like in groups or dermatomal, like herpes simplex or zoster.

The dermatologist will recommend the best products for your skin problem.

Medications are personalized according to skin type and sensitivity. Each skin is different and reactions to certain medications amongst patients are varied. If the physical examination turns out to be normal, then the dermatologist will advise a good start up skin care regimen to enhance or improve your skin. The dermatologist will discuss the active ingredients of the products, what are they for, manner of application, expected results, and any adverse reactions.

If warranted,the dermatologist will also recommend in-clinic treatments.

In-clinic treatments such as chemical peels, lasers, or energy-based device depending on your skin concern. In-clinic treatments work as an adjuvant to the skin care products that you will use at home. It will also hasten the resolution of your skin problem. Products and in-clinic treatments work hand in hand to provide you with the best and fastest results possible.

The dermatologist  will give you a follow up schedule.

This is in order to assess and document your progress with the treatment. Expect a call from our nurses the day after to check up on you after your consultation and treatment.

 

Ready to book your consultation with a board-certified dermatologist? Call the HOO Dermatology hotline at 0917 576-2326 or book an appointment here.