Should you see a Dermatologist or an Esthetician or BOTH?
When looking for someone to help you correct skin conditions such as acne or the signs of aging, knowing your professional options is one important task.
Of course, people with breakouts automatically think that they need to make an appointment with their dermatologist and get prescribed topical or oral medication to eradicate the acne as quickly as possible.
There's another professional to consider if you're looking for a less invasive approach and in need of someone who will actually remove the blackheads and decongest your skin, and that is THE ESTHETICIAN.
Now, we're not talking about just anyone who is licensed in esthetics, but one who is certified and specializes in skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, hormonal acne and more.
This esthetician will have had specialized training throughout their career that enhances the education of their initial license.
Be sure to ask or check for credentials & advanced certifications when choosing a acne specialist esthetician.
the dermatologist
Pros
Specializes in skin disorders & skin diseases
Can prescribe stronger medications to treat skin conditions of many kinds
Knowledgeable about longterm treatment options & care for internal issues causing external skin issues
Can perform removals of abnormal growths or impactions within & beneath the skin
Can perform deeper chemical peels & laser treatments; downtime required & usually lasts up to 2-6 weeks
Can treat acne scars with injectables & needling up to 5.0mm
Cons
Wait time for an appointment could be months
Does not perform skin treatments to remove blackheads or decongest the skin
Possible Side effects from oral medications and topical medications
The esthetician
Pros
May specialize in specific skin conditions such as acne
Knowledgeable about products & ingredients and the benefits for specific skin conditions
Will perform a facial treatment to remove impactions, purify the pores, rehydrate the skin, and minimize acne and acne scars
Can perform professional grade & some medical grade chemical peels; moderate to little downtime
Can treat acne scars with collagen induction needle therapy up to 2.5mm
Cons
Appointment wait times for a really good esthetician
Does not treat Grade IV acne+
Does not do injectables unless dually licensed as a RN & have a MD on staff