How to Pick a Dermatologist

Taking care of your skin as you age is vital to keeping a healthy glow and a smooth-looking appearance. When you are looking to find and pick a new dermatologist, various resources are available, both locally and online, that allow you to find a doctor who caters to your skincare needs while also matching the budgetary or insurance category that fits your particular needs.

Instructions

• 1

  Create a list of all skincare concerns you have with your own body before finding a dermatologist.

  Assess your current situation regarding your skincare and what you are looking for in a dermatologist. Some dermatologists specialize in cosmetic skincare repair, while others focus on health-related issues concerning the skin. Create a list or make a mental note of the types of procedures or treatments you are interested in as well as any problem areas may have with your skin.

• 2

  Verifying your insurance is useful for a dermatologist will save a headache and expensive charges later.

  Check with your current insurance provider for a list of available dermatologists or specialists in your area that accept your current provider. This will help to eliminate dermatologists who are not included in your plan when you're making a decision.

• 3

  Using online resources to locate a dermatologist gives you a complete look at available doctors.

  Use an online resource such as AAD (aad.org), Find a Dermatologist (findadermatologist.com) or Health Grades (healthgrades.com) to browse for dermatologist and skincare doctors in your local area just by entering your zip code and own location. Browsing online services also allows you to search for dermatologists that accept patients with various types of insurance or no coverage at all. Many online dermatologist search websites give users the ability to view each dermatologist's specialties as well as any information on the doctor's dermatologist certification or education.

• 4

  Meeting with the dermatologists prior to choosing a doctor will allow you to feel more comfortable.

  Call various dermatologist offices to inquire about pricing and to confirm your insurance is valid at the office before making an appointment. Ask to meet the dermatologist ahead of time before scheduling an official appointment. Although this is not always possible, in some cases doctors will allow this, and this will give you the option of searching in person for the one whom you feel most comfortable with.