If you’ve been dealing with damaged skin, acne scars, or dried or flaky skin, it may be time to make an appointment at your local dermatologist. Once you start your search, however, you may find yourself asking, “how can I find the best dermatologist near me”?
Luckily, there a few key considerations to have in mind when researching dermatologists that will not only narrow a potentially extensive search, but they will also help you find someone affordable, technologically advanced, and helpful like the professionals at Coastal Dermatology & Plastic Surgery in Long Beach, CA.
Is Your Dermatologist Board Certified?
When you’re wondering “how do I find the best dermatologist near me,” you are probably referring to one that has performed many verified surgeries, has an unquestionable reputation and is well versed in the latest technological advancements. A great starting point is to determine whether the doctor you’re considering is a board-certified dermatologist or not.
A board-certified dermatologist had to attend college, then medical or osteopathy school, complete an internship, and then complete three years of dermatology residency. To achieve board-certification status, these doctors must also pass a rigorous exam, continue their education, and take additional examinations every ten years if they want to continue to be board certified.
What Tools Can I Use To Find The Best Dermatologist Near Me?
Now that you know the importance of board certification, the question is, how do I find the best dermatologist near me? Up to 92% of certified dermatologists join the American Academy of Dermatology, which hosts a zip-code based doctor finder search on its website. When searching through other servers such as Goole, Yelp, or Yahoo, keep an eye out for the initials FAAD after the doctor’s name. These initials indicate that he or she is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and is indeed board certified.
Complete A Consult Before You Commit
While researching the best dermatologist near me, you will most likely come up with more than one option with great Yelp reviews, board certification, and a flashy website. Use the research you’ve done to ask as many questions as possible during the consult, without committing to anything.
If you’ve read up on state-of-the-art procedures, ask who performs those procedures and what their certifications are. If you’ve read some glaring reviews online, it might be wise to address them. If you’ve tried previous treatments that haven’t worked or you have allergies, it might be best to see what alternatives or solutions are available. While preliminary research can reveal a lot about a dermatologist, it’s at your consult that you will really understand if they are a perfect match for you or not.
When you’re ready to make an appointment, make sure you’ve done more than just open your laptop and type in: “best dermatologist near me.” Do your research, make sure you find evidence that the doctor has successfully treated your specific ailments on other patients, and that they have numerous positive, reviews on various online platforms.
If you’re in the Long Beach area, the experts at Coastal Dermatology & Plastic Surgery are a great place to start your search! Contact us today and schedule your consultation at one of our California locations!
