Dermatologist

The word "dermatology" comes from the Greek work "derma," meaning skin, and "logia," meaning study.

Your skin is one of the most impor­tant and largest organs in your body. It helps to pro­tect you from the envi­ron­ment and microbes, reg­u­lates body tem­per­a­ture, and it allows your body to feel. The aver­age human being has 21 sq. ft. of skin, that weighs approx­i­mate­ly 8lbs, and has about 300 mil­lion skin cells!

Dermatology is a branch of medicine that focuses on the skin, hair, and nails and is a vital field that treats over 3,000 skin issues like eczema, psoriasis, skin cancer plus many more, and plays a crucial role in detecting early signs of diseases like diabetes and lupus.

Dermatology doctors are an important part of the health family in the UK. They're like detectives for skin issues, figuring out what's wrong and how to fix it.

A career as a dermatologist can be exciting because it allows you to improve people's appearance and self-esteem directly by treating a wide range of skin problems, often with visible results. This can in addition also build long-term patient relationships through regular checkups. The field offers a good balance between clinical diagnosis, the use of advanced technologies like laser and performing minor surgical procedures that all make the work varied and intellectually stimulating,

As skin cancer in the population continues to grow, skin care is an increasingly popular and important part of health care. Due to a shortage of dermatologists and other senior health professionals in recent years, the dermatologist is in high demand and is increasingly well-regarded and well-paid.

Working as a dermatologist you can do much more for patients than treat illnesses. Treatment of skin problems is an important part of the role, but educating clients on proper skin care techniques and looking after their immune system is another awarding part of the role. Using your knowledge and training, you can develop resources to distribute to patients and or give lectures and speaking at engagements. 

Key Details

£32,000

Entry

£93,000

Average

£126,000

Senior

46 / Wk

Average Hours

Dentist

Summary

Becoming a dermatologist is a very rewarding careers choice. From medical school to residency and beyond, the path can be challenging but the rewards are endless if you care for people and medicine.

Each day will provide different challenges from diagnosing a rare autoimmune skin disorder to performing a cosmetic procedure like laser therapy or Botox. Dermatology is a unique specialty that blends medical, surgical, and aesthetic care, making every case both intellectually stimulating and hands-on.

One of the many fulfilling aspects of the job, is seeing how skin health impacts a person’s confidence and well-being. You can be treating a teenager with severe acne, helping a client treat chronic eczema, or detecting skin cancer early. A dermatologist makes a tangible difference in people’s lives.

Dermatology, like any medical profession, does come with its challenges. With more people using social media and sharing incorrect information, patient education is now more crucial than ever. Many clients come in with unrealistic expectations based on influencers trends, rather than science. Also managing high patient volumes while providing personalized care can be challenging.

Despite the challenges, The career is however very rewarding. Dermatology is at the forefront of innovation—from cutting-edge biologics to advancements in laser technology. The field constantly evolves and stays ahead with new treatments and discoveries.

Being a dermatologist is more than just treating skin—it’s about restoring confidence in clients from different backgrounds, improving their quality of life, and making a lasting impact. Every case blends science, art, and patient care harmoniously.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the dermatologist is many and varied and revolve around hair, skin and nail conditions and treatment options.

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    Diagnosing and Treating skin concerns. As a dermatologist you will diagnose a range of skin, hair and nail conditions. You will identify skin issues like acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and more complex skin diseases like melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. You will further treat hair disorders such as hair loss (alopecia) and scalp infections and treat nail problems, including fungal infections and ingrown nails.

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    Derma Medical Procedures. An important aspect of the job is to perform skin cancer screening, perform biopsies to detect cancerous conditions like melanoma and conduct minor surgeries to remove warts, suspicious moles and other skin growth. You will additionally treat conditions like scars, acne, and pigmentation issues by performing laser treatments.

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    Cosmetic Dermatology. Dermatologist may help with cosmetic issues like wrinkles, age spots, acne scars, and hair loss. You will provide treatments in form of laser therapy, Botox, chemical peels and minor surgery to improve the skins appearance.

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    Patient Care. You will provide advise on skin protection and lifestyle changes to improve skin health of your patients as well as educating on skin cancer awareness and self-examination.

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    Ongoing research and knowledge. You will stay up to date on latest innovations and advancement in dermatology as well as clinical trials. You will conduct research on dermatological conditions and treatments to improve patient care and undergo further training to become an expert in skin, nail and hair conditions and the latest treatments available.

Key skills & traits

A good dermatologist possess a mix of technical and personal skills to succeed and become an expert in the field.

Patience and Empathy

A dermatologist must have great patience and empathy dealing with a range of clients and sometimes sensitive issues. You must be able to explain treatments, and skincare regimens in a way that patients understand, be empathetic to patient concerns and provide reassurance, especially for chronic or visible skin problems.

Curiosity

You will have a natural interest and curiosity to understand and learn from experience as well keeping up with new treatments, technologies, and research in dermatology for continuous development and best outcome for clients.

Clinical and Procedural skills

It is important to have a profound understanding of skin conditions, diseases, and treatments, including dermatopathology, cosmetic procedures, and surgical techniques. Proficiency in performing biopsies, laser treatments, cosmetic injections (Botox, fillers), and minor skin surgeries is also important.

Resilience

Being emotional resilient and having a calm temperament with the ability to work well under pressure is important, as you will deal with urgent and critical conditions that may need dexterity and steady hands.

Analytical and Problem Solving

You must have strong observation skills to recognize skin disorders, cancers, and rare conditions and determine the best treatment plan for best chance outcome.

Communication Skills

You will exhibit excellent communication skills to manage a wide range of relationships with colleagues, patients and their families. You will deal with a range of people in different health fields as well as your own team and staff along with clients and their relatives.

Education & qualifications

To become a dermatologist you must undergo rigorous training that will take 12-15 years of medical training and specialization. This seems a long journey, but it’s worth it if you’re passionate about skin health!

Lifestyle

Compared to other medical specialties, dermatologist report being happier overall. The day-to-day is filled with a variety of tasks, patient interactions, and opportunities to make a difference. While dermatology offers nice work life balance , it’s also very demanding and fast-paced.
50%
Remote Suited
Most of the work is carried out in a clinical setting face to face with clients. However, treatment plans can be analyzed remotely as well study and diagnoses.
40%
Stressful
Dermatology appointments are often routine and few of the skin conditions are life-threatening, and dermatologists rarely have to perform high-stakes procedures. This leads to a more positive work experience and lower stress levels than some other medical professions.
80%
Work Life Blance
As a dermatologist you may be able to set your own working hours and appointments allowing for better control over your schedule to have more time for personal appointments and family. It is important to notice however, that some sacrifices might be required for emergencies, on-call duties and professional development.
4.1Enjoyment
The most rewarding aspect of working in dermatology lies in the ability to positively impact patients' lives by improving their skin health and confidence, boosting self-esteem and quality of life and making a life-saving difference. As the job offers good work life balance allowing for time with friends and family, the pay reward is also highly motivating.
46/hrs
Weekly
Because patients' skin concerns often aren't time-sensitive, dermatologists usually work a predictable schedule with regular hours.

Salary data

As a junior doctor you can earn from £32,000 with a consultant Dermatologist earning on average £93,666 – £126,281 per year working in the public sector. As a private Consultant Dermatologist you could earn up towards £150,000 – £300,000+ per year (varies by patients & clinic)


£32,000

Entry

£93,000

Average

£126,000

Senior

Career path

To become a dermatologist you must complete medical school and progress through training and work by experience to improve knowledge and gain expertise.

Junior doctor / trainee dermatologists

After completing medical school you will complete a 2 year foundation training, working in different medical specialties, including general medicine and surgery. You will assist senior dermatologists with diagnosis, treatment, and minor procedures.

Dermatologist nurse

A dermatology nurse is a specialized registered nurse (RN) or nurse practitioner (NP) who focuses on skin health, treating conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, skin cancer, and wounds. They work alongside dermatologists in hospitals, clinics, or private practices, assisting with procedures like biopsies, laser treatments, and cosmetic dermatology (e.g., Botox or chemical peels).

Dermatologist consultant.

With years of practice, dermatologists will advance to become consultants in nhs hospitals or private practices. You might choose to complete speciality training such as paediatric dermatology, which can lead to more specialized roles. Additionally, experienced dermatologists often become educators, researchers and department heads and lead multidisciplinary teams.

History of the profession

Dermatology dates back thousands of years with evidence found in ancient civilizations of skin problems and treatment procedures. Today, dermatology continues to evolve with research into nanotechnology, AI diagnostics, and personalized treatment plans, making it an essential and rapidly advancing medical specialty.

Ancient Times

3000 BCE - 500CE
In the Ebers Papyres, an ancient Egyptians medical text, there are mentions of treatments for skin problems like leprosy, eczema, and ulcers using natural remedies like resins, honey and animal fats. The Greeks ands Romans introduced the use of sulfur and arsenic for treating various skin disorders and believed diseases were linked to imbalances in bodily humors. Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) documented skin ailments. Herbs, acupuncture, and dietary adjustments were used for treatment.

Medieval and Renaissance Dermatology

500 – 1700
In the middle ages, skin ailments were associated with divine punishment or contagion. Leprosy was highly feared, and lepers were sent into colonies. The Renaissance saw a new interest in scientific medical study, and physicians began to categorize skin diseases systematically.

Early days of Modern Dermatology

18th–19th Century
Dermatology as a term, first appeared in the 18th Century and early works on venereal diseases and skin disorders were published by Jean Astruc. In the 19th Century dermatology became a specialized medical field and the first hospitals were established in Europe, A scientific approach to pathological and histological study was emphasized along with a classification system of skin diseases.

Dermatological Science

20th Century
In the early 1900s, X-rays and radiation therapy for skin conditions like acne and psoriasis was introduced. In the mid-20th century, antibiotics (e.g., penicillin for syphilis), steroids for eczema, and antifungals revolutionized dermatology. Cosmetic treatments like skin peels, laser treatments and plastic surgery is rapidly gaining popularity.

Modern Dermatology

21st Century
Today, advances in molecular biology, immunology, and genetics have improved treatments for skin cancer, psoriasis, and autoimmune diseases. Biologics and targeted therapies have further advanced treatments for chronic conditions like eczema and melanoma. Aesthetic treatments like botox, lasers and fillers are used widely and becoming increasingly common.

Reviews

It is a long road to becoming a dermatologist, but the rewards are big and offer great job satisfaction including, wellness, patient care, work-life balance and pay.




Forever evolving trade

Jenni

I have been working as in the outpatient clinic within a NHS hospital now for 4 years and it has been life changing for me. Every day, I interact with a lot of clients and feel a great sense of achievements from treating and curing illnesses that my clients experience. It is an amazing world of science and the developments on treatments constantly fascinates me. I am currently studying towards becoming a paediatric dermatology doctor as I hope to be working with and helping children.

💰£85,600Annual
salary
💼45Weekly hours
🏝️0%Remote suited
🤷‍♀️30%Stressful
⚖️80%Work life balance

Next Gen Dermatologists

Jared

I teach medical students and enjoy teaching about science and techniques of dermatology and open up their minds to the possibilities and inventions still to be discovered to cure and heal. I have worked six or seven years as a mohs surgery consultant and now provide speciality training seminars around the country. I love my job, it is very rewarding being involved in this fast moving world and lead new doctors towards great things.

💰£152,000Annual
salary
💼40Weekly hours
🏝️0%Remote suited
🤷‍♀️20%Stressful
⚖️95%Work life balance

Doctor of skin

Ally J

Each day in my practice is different—one moment, I’m diagnosing common conditions like eczema or allergies or rare autoimmune skin disorders, and the next, I’m performing a cosmetic procedure like laser therapy or Botox. I also work as an NHS consultant and will treat referrals from the local GP practice. Dermatology is a unique specialty that blends medical, surgical, and aesthetic care. Each and every case is both intellectually stimulating and hands-on.

💰£97,000Annual
salary
💼48Weekly hours
🏝️50%Remote suited
🤷‍♀️60%Stressful
⚖️90%Work life balance

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Resources

For more details on dermatology, you can refer to following resources, that will give you further information to decide if this is the career for you.

Book

Dermatology Made Easy, 2nd edition

Designed to help GPs, medical students and dermatologists diagnose skin conditions with confidence.
Diagnosis is simplified by providing a comprehensive set of tables which offer differentials by symptom, morphology, or body site – including over 500 thumbnail photos.
Once you have narrowed down the diagnosis, cross-references guide you to more detailed descriptions.

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Skin cells background with title and author text in black blue and grey writing.
Course

Systematic Breakdown To Master Dermatology

This course aims to teach you the fundamentals of dermatology. You will learn the basic and advanced physiology of skin and its diseases. We will focus on high-yield topics such as eczema, psoriasis, and skin cancer, among many others. This course include complex dermatological terminology for students who seek more advanced, and in-depth dive into dermatology topics. These include: pathologies of epidermal layers, systemic diseases with skin manifestation, and vascular skin lesions, among many others.
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dermatologist reviewing mole on female patients neck
Podcast

Dermasphere - The Dermatology Podcast

For dermatology practitioners, Dermasphere covers the most important updates from the latest articles and research in the field.

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Article

Is it hard to become a dermatologist in the UK?

Sreedhar takes you through the what's and how's to becoming a dermatologist.

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female dermatologist in white kilt with patients and flowers in background
Video

Normal Skin Histology

The basic normal structures of the skin discussed and described by dermatopathologist
Jerad Gardner, MD. Before you can diagnose abnormal skin conditions, you must know what normal skin looks like.

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Purple image of skin layers

Regulatory bodies

As with all medical trades there are regulations and Health and Safety compliances to adhere to. Find below a list of regulatory bodies for dermatologists.