10 Questions You Should Ask Your Dermatologist

At our age, it’s cliché to bemoan how we should have taken better care of our skin when we were young and dumb. Especially now that signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and — yes, even acne — are apparently a way of life.

But beyond our cosmetic appearance, we should also be seeing a dermatologist and getting advice on screening for symptoms of skin cancer and eating certain foods for our skin. Whether you’re headed for your first visit or not, here are 10 questions you might want to ask your dermatologist.

First visit: What to ask a dermatologist

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There are a few questions you may want to ask before you make that co-pay for the first appointment at a new dermatologist. Asking these questions is also a good way to determine the staff’s competence and efficiency.

1. How much is a dermatologist visit?
Ask basic questions like what kinds of insurance do they accept? What is their cancellation policy? How far in advance do you need to book an appointment?

2. What types of treatments do they offer?
Find a dermatologist whose specialties align the closest to your dermatological needs. Are yours medical, cosmetic or surgical? Adult or pediatric? Are they board certified in the services they offer?

“It’s important to know your dermatologist’s certifications and also whether they specialize in medical skin conditions or dedicate most of their practice to cosmetic treatments,” editor Jeannette Kaplun told Mom.com.

3. Do they treat people and skin of color?
Certain skin conditions and treatments affect or present differently on darker pigmented skin. For instance malignant melanomas are more difficult to detect and keloid scars are more common in people of color. Having expertise in particular skin types and colors is particularly important concerning scar treatments like microneedling and lasers since darker skin tones react differently and have higher risk of scarring or keloids.

Note: If you are visiting a dermatologist during COVID, make sure to ask about the facility's safety measures and confirm that they are following COVID protocols as indicated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.)

Types of skin problems and the best skincare routines

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For many of us, the skincare regimen is what we’re most interested in and dermatologists are the perfect experts to ask.

4. What should I be doing for my skincare routine?
A quick survey of your friends and the internet will not only bring you advice — but headaches. “From which cleansers to use, to which vitamin C and sunscreen, to which lasers to consider,” New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Hadley King told Real Simple, “your dermatologist is the perfect resource to answer these questions.”

5. What are the best foods for your skin?
Your eating and drinking habits may be affecting your skin so ask your doctor what foods you should add or eliminate to your diet in order to address some of your underlying skin issues.

6. What is acne caused by?
Acne is multi-factorial and often, our hormones play a big factor. Discuss with your dermatologist what you’re experiencing and be honest about your lifestyle choices.

How to know if a mole is cancerous and other symptoms of skin cancer

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Skin cancer is one of the easiest cancers to find because it usually begins where you can see it. If found early enough, skin cancer is highly treatable and curable. “All adults who have a lighter skin type — especially those with a history of excessive sun exposure — should have a baseline full body skin exam,” dermatology physician assistant Tricia Loo Rohrs told Mom.com.

7. What are some signs of skin cancer?
Skin cancer can be found anywhere on your body. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), some signs of skin cancer can include:

  • Mole that is changing or looks different from other moles
  • Growth that is dome-shaped
  • Scaly patch
  • Sore that doesn’t heal or heals and returns
  • Brown or black streak under your nail

If you’re a person of color, 60% to 70% of tumors start in areas with lighter skin that isn’t normally exposed to the sun (e.g.: soles of the feet and palms of the hand) and are often misdiagnosed as warts, fungus, or dark nail. Nearly 80% of melanomas in Asian Americans occur in the mouth, on the soles or palms. More than half of all melanoma cases in people of color are under the nail.

8. How do I know if my moles are okay?
If you have moles on your body, in between dermatologist appointments, perform a quick “ABCDE” test:

  • Asymmetry: Are the halves of the mole different from each other?
  • Border: Are the borders irregular?
  • Color: Has the color changed or are there multiple colors?
  • Diameter: Is the mole getting bigger?
  • Elevation: Is the mole increasingly elevated from your skin surface?

9. How do I perform a self-check?
Look for a spot that is different from the rest of your body, changes, itches, or bleeds. Your dermatologist can show you how to conduct a thorough self-check akin to what the AAD recommends.

10. How do I protect my skin?
Ask your dermatologist how you can best protect your skin type from the sun and aging. What are the best sunscreens, UV-blocking clothing, hats or sunglasses? Are there particular products or treatments you can try?