Dermatology : Job Prospects & Career Options

Pin It

People, young as well as old are becoming more conscious about their skin and looks. Owing to this, the demand for professionals in this field of skin care is expected to upsurge in the coming years.

Dermatologists could work in hospitals or clinics or take up private practice. They could even take up positions as professors, teaching faculty, supervisors or research heads in their specialized fields in medical colleges and institutes/universities. After gaining considerable experience in India, dermatologists can pursue lucrative careers aboard as the demand is increasing tremendously.

Private practitioners may opt for specialized dermatology courses in pediatric and cosmetic dermatology. The specializations in dermatology can be done in the fields like immuno dermatology, dermo pathology, pediatric dermatology and cosmetic dermatology.

Areas of specialisation

Cosmetic Dermatology - Cosmetic Dermatology is a scientific super-specialty of Dermatology which aims to bring science to the concept of Beauty. Dermatologists after completing a MS in the field of surgical dermatology are trained to use laser surgery, botox and fillers. Further, the cosmetic procedures include chemical peels, dermabrasion, derma roller, bhepharoplasty, face lifts and liposuction. They treat scars, acne, hair fall, wrinkles, black spots, pigmentation etc. using different procedures depending upon the type of the skin.

Dermatopathology -A Dermatopathologist is a pathologist or dermatologist who specializes in the pathology of the skin. This is a field which is shared by pathologists and dermatologists who complete one year of dermato-pathology fellowship (which includes six months training in general pathology and six months in dermato-pathology). Dermatopathologist diagnoses and monitors diseases of the skin including infectious, immunological, degenerative, and neoplastic diseases.

Immunodermatology - This field specializes in the treatment of immune-mediated skin diseases such as pemphigus valgaris, bullous pemphigoid, lupus erythema etc. These individuals work in immuno-pathology labs.

Mohs surgery- Is a sub-specialty that focuses on the management of skin cancer, using a tissue-sparing technique. Physicians trained in this technique receive exhaustive training in pathology, as well as surgery.

Pediatric Dermatology- Physicians qualify for Pediatric Dermatology after completing a pediatric, as well as dermatology residency. Some opt for a post-residency fellowship. Pediatric dermatology includes complex diseases of the neonates, hereditary skin ailments or genodermatoses. Pediatric dermatologists treats specific skin disease categories with emphasis on those diseases which predominate in infants, children, and adolescents.

Tele-Dermatology - Tele-dermatology is the sub-section, wherein, telecommunication technologies are utilized to exchange medical information, via media, invariably done by non-dermatologists to evaluate off-site by the dermatologists. This subspecialty deals with options to view skin conditions over a large distance to provide knowledge exchange, to establish second-opinion services for experts or to use this for follow-up of individuals with chronic skin conditions.