The field of dermatology involves more than the diagnosis and treatment of rashes or the prescription of topical medications. Many conditions affecting the skin, hair, and nails require physical intervention, including various forms of surgery. This procedural focus leads many people to wonder what the appropriate title is for a skin doctor who performs these procedures. Understanding this specialized role requires identifying the specific training and focus required for surgical practice. This article clarifies the formal designation for this specialized physician.
Defining the Specialty: Dermatologic Surgeon
The physician who specializes in surgical treatment of the skin is most accurately referred to as a Dermatologic Surgeon. This designation is not a separate medical degree but represents a highly specialized focus within the broader field of dermatology. A Dermatologic Surgeon treats conditions of the skin, subcutaneous tissues, and adjacent structures through surgical, minimally invasive, and reconstructive methods. Their practice includes medically necessary interventions, such as skin cancer removal, and a wide range of cosmetic procedures. This combination of medical and aesthetic expertise allows the specialist to manage complex skin diseases while focusing on the best possible cosmetic outcome.
Procedures Performed by the Specialist
The hallmark procedure of a Dermatologic Surgeon’s practice is Mohs Micrographic Surgery, a highly precise technique for removing skin cancer. This procedure involves excising the tumor in thin, successive layers, which are immediately examined under a microscope while the patient waits. The surgeon acts as both the excising physician and the pathologist, ensuring that 100% of the tumor margins are clear before the wound is closed. This layer-by-layer approach minimizes the removal of healthy tissue, offering the highest potential cure rate for common skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Beyond Mohs surgery, these specialists routinely perform excisions of both malignant and benign lesions, such as atypical moles, cysts, and lipomas. Following the removal of larger lesions, especially on cosmetically sensitive areas like the face, they often perform complex reconstructive surgery. This involves using skin flaps or grafts to repair the surgical defect and restore function and appearance.
Dermatologic Surgeons also utilize their surgical skills in advanced cosmetic procedures. These procedures can include laser surgery for skin resurfacing or the treatment of vascular lesions, chemical peels, dermabrasion, and tumescent liposuction. Their deep understanding of skin biology and anatomy is applied across the spectrum of their procedural work, from skin cancer removal to aesthetic enhancement.
Training and Certification Requirements
The pathway to becoming a Dermatologic Surgeon is extensive and requires many years of post-medical school training. The foundation begins with four years of medical school, followed by a mandatory one-year internship. This is then succeeded by a three-year residency training program focused entirely on general dermatology.
To achieve surgical specialization, a dermatologist must pursue further subspecialty training. This usually takes the form of a one- to two-year fellowship, often in Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology. These fellowships provide intensive, hands-on experience in advanced surgical techniques and reconstruction.
Physicians who complete this training, often accredited by organizations like the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS), gain the expertise to perform complex surgical procedures. Final board certification is obtained through the American Board of Dermatology. This certification, combined with fellowship training, signifies a physician who meets the highest standards for both medical and surgical care of the skin.