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Cosmetic dermatologist
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
Healthy and smooth skin is the dream of many of us. After all, the health of the skin is affected by many external and internal factors: polluted atmosphere, nutrition, internal diseases, etc. To put our skin in order and restore it, we may need the help of several specialists, and one of them is a dermatologist-cosmetologist - a doctor who cures skin diseases and has a complex effect on the body, launching its own mechanisms for restoring the epidermis.
Who is a dermatologist-cosmetologist?
The life of a modern person is constant stress, bad ecology, poor quality drinking water, unbalanced diet, bad habits. All this does not have the best effect on the health of the whole organism, and the skin in particular. It is for this reason that the percentage of dermatological diseases is constantly and steadily growing.
One of the branches of medicine – dermatology – studies the functional capabilities and structure of human skin, its anomalies and pathologies. Dermatologists diagnose, treat and take care of the prevention of skin diseases. By the way, at the moment there is information on more than 20 thousand different diseases of epidermal tissue. With any nature and complexity of such diseases, a dermatologist – a medical specialist with higher education – will help.
What is a specialty such as a dermatologist-cosmetologist? This is also a doctor who deals with therapy and helps to get rid of dermatological problems, using all sorts of cosmetic procedures and cosmetic products.
When should you contact us?
A consultation with a dermatologist-cosmetologist may be necessary if any changes or undesirable symptoms appear on the surface of the skin, for example:
- rashes (redness, pallor, acne, pimples, blisters, etc.);
- ulcers or boils;
- warts and other growths, as well as changes in the shape and color of existing ones;
- moles, as well as when the shape and color of existing ones changes;
- scales, ulcers, abscesses, erythema, spider veins;
- swelling and inflammatory elements on the skin.
You can contact a specialist in dermatocosmetology if you are not satisfied with the condition of your skin, hair, nails, if you are concerned about excessive hair growth or increased sweating, disruption of the sebaceous glands, etc.
What tests should I take when applying?
If you make an appointment for an initial visit to a dermatologist-cosmetologist, you do not need to take any tests in advance. If the doctor deems it necessary, he will prescribe you a number of tests or consultations already during the first visit. In some cases, this may not be necessary if you have come for preventive purposes, or your diagnosis is already clear based on the complaints you have presented.
Often, when making a diagnosis, the doctor only needs the patient's subjective complaints, anamnesis and examination results. Of course, if necessary, or at the patient's request, additional, more accurate diagnostic methods can be used. This can allow the doctor to establish a more accurate diagnosis and prescribe correct and effective treatment.
What diagnostic methods does a dermatologist-cosmetologist use?
In recent years, dermatocosmetology has developed quite rapidly: new procedures, treatment methods and diagnostics have appeared. Of course, the chosen therapeutic scheme will be more effective if the diagnosis has been established correctly.
The most common diagnostic methods in dermatocosmetology are the following:
- dermatoscopy – microscopic examination of the skin with varying degrees of scaling;
- sebumetric method – provides an assessment of the level of functionality of the sebaceous glands;
- skin acid-base reaction analysis;
- study of elasticity and collagen levels;
- assessment of pigmentation status;
- Ultrasound of the skin;
- Ultrasound of skin blood supply.
The comprehensive diagnostic procedure helps to prescribe specific treatment and avoid the possibility of medical error.
A dermatologist-cosmetologist is obliged to act in accordance with the generally recognized provisions adopted in a special instruction:
- if there is a suspicion of malignancy in the skin process, the doctor should postpone treatment and refer the patient for a consultation with an oncologist or to an oncology clinic;
- If skin plastic surgery is necessary, the doctor must refer the patient to a plastic surgeon;
- If you suspect an infection, you may need to consult an infectious disease specialist, epidemiologist or phthisiatrician.
It may also be necessary to consult other specialists, such as a gastroenterologist, nutritionist, rheumatologist, etc.
What does he do?
A dermatologist-cosmetologist identifies skin and cosmetic defects of the skin on the face, limbs, and body, and also eliminates them using modern techniques and procedures, for example:
- laser cosmetology;
- hardware cosmetology;
- skin peels with chemicals;
- cold treatment (cryotherapy);
- injection of various drugs;
- cosmetic treatment of the skin on the face and hands;
- ultrasonic skin treatment;
- procedures for rejuvenation of epidermal tissues.
A standard appointment with a dermatologist-cosmetologist consists of the following steps:
- assessment of skin condition and the presence of problem areas;
- determining the treatment regimen, choosing the necessary cosmetic products, depending on the condition and type of skin;
- carrying out the necessary procedures, including rejuvenating sessions, facial cleansing, wrinkle correction, facial and body contouring.
A specialist in dermatocosmetology will help with almost any skin problem: conduct diagnostics, prescribe treatment, explain the rules of care and prevention, and demonstrate the effectiveness of procedures in action.
What diseases does it treat?
A practicing dermatologist-cosmetologist deals with the treatment and prevention of various diseases of the skin, hair and nails, including:
- dermatosis, eczema, neurodermatitis, atopic and other dermatitis;
- diseases of the scalp, nail plate, seborrhea, dandruff;
- acne, vulgaris juvenile rash, acne (including complicated cases);
- selection of individual medicinal cosmetic products;
- demodicosis;
- fungal and viral skin lesions;
- papillomas, alopecia, hyperpigmentation, appearance of freckles, warts, moles;
- problematic nails (brittleness, thinning, deformation of the nail plate);
- excessive oiliness or dryness of hair and skin;
- skin redness, irritation;
- peeling, hangnails, cracks in the skin;
- hyperhidrosis;
- wrinkles, age-related skin changes.
In addition to treatment, a dermatologist-cosmetologist also deals with the prevention of skin diseases, as well as maintaining its beautiful and youthful condition. To do this, the specialist uses a number of effective advanced technologies:
- contour plastic surgery (as well as correction and change of lip volume and facial contour);
- bioreinforcement and biorevitalization;
- botox, dysport;
- mesotherapy;
- rejuvenating procedures;
- peeling procedures;
- plasma lifting;
- ozone and cryotherapy;
- skin cleaning;
- epilation;
- removal of papillomas, warts and melanomas;
- anti-cellulite procedures.
Treatment and prevention courses may consist of one or several procedures, which determines their effectiveness. All procedures are selected strictly individually and agreed upon with the patient.
Advice from a dermatologist-cosmetologist
In order for the skin to always look fresh and healthy, it is necessary to have a balanced diet, no bad habits, more fresh air, a positive mood and physical activity. But you can’t do without special care either, because the skin deteriorates not only under the influence of internal but also external factors – poor ecology, poor quality water, exhaust gases, all kinds of radiation, etc.
Improper skin care can ruin all our efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and eat well. So let's try to describe a few basic principles of proper skin care:
- You should shower regularly and be sure to remove makeup at night: the skin should always remain clean, without dust, sweat, or exfoliated epidermal flakes.
- The appearance of wrinkles is facilitated by low humidity and excess ultraviolet radiation, so during the heating season, the air in the room must be humidified, and in the summer, use cosmetics with ultraviolet protection.
- Frosty air and wind contribute to the roughening and redness of the skin, which accelerates its aging.
- Stressful situations and long-term depression can worsen complexion and disrupt the nutrition of epidermal tissues.
- Cosmetics should be selected depending on the condition of the skin - there are separate cosmetics for dry, combination, oily and problematic skin.
- For washing, it is better to use settled or melted water: hard chlorinated water can cause irritation and peeling of the skin.
- Water for washing your face and hair should not be hot or too cold – ideally, wash with water at a temperature of +20 to +40°C.
- You should not rub your face vigorously with a towel - this can lead to the appearance of early wrinkles. It is enough to simply blot the skin with gentle movements.
- If you use face masks, apply them only to cleansed skin, avoiding the eye area. Remove the product carefully, without excessive force.
- You shouldn't neglect a quality massage - it helps open pores, improve blood circulation in tissues and speed up the removal of toxic substances.
- Scrubs are a good way to cleanse your skin, but there is no need to use them often. If your skin is dry, you can use a scrub once every 7 days, and if your skin is excessively oily, you can use it once every 3-4 days.
- To maintain a healthy complexion, it is necessary to ensure adequate and sufficient sleep. Before going to bed, be sure to ventilate the room. Try to always go to bed at the same time.
- In order to prevent skin aging, you should adhere to a drinking regimen - drink at least one and a half liters of clean water per day (primarily in the first half of the day to avoid swelling).
- Proper nutrition is the key to regular intake of nutrients and vitamins. It is necessary to eat vegetables, fruits, greens, nuts, berries, limiting pickles, smoked foods, fatty and sweet dishes.
- The skin does not like alcohol, nicotine and other bad habits.
Body and skin care can be done at home or professionally, in specialized beauty salons. A dermatologist-cosmetologist will always meet you halfway and give valuable advice for the health and beauty of your skin.