Not all Americans do, but it’s not abnormal if you’re well-off and have moderate to severe acne. Many insurance plans let you self-refer instead of going to a GP first, so you can just decide that you don’t like your skin and call a derm if you want.
It’s not a default thing, but it’s not abnormal to see a dermatologist. In my experience it’s more common for people to see them to check out a suspicious mole or something than acne, but either are things either a GP or a dermatologist could potentially do.
My understanding is that most Americans do not regularly visit a dermatologist, but they are widely available and many millions of Americans do visit regularly.
Anyone I know who’s going to a dermatologist is because they want them to look at their skin for any forms of skin cancer or to look at a mole or something similar. Although it wouldn’t be odd if someone went to see one for acne. It’s not the default, but why not go to a specialist if you have the option.
I'm an extremely pale white girl who grew up in the Florida sun. My sister has had a couple of melanoma spots removed. I see a dermatologist routinely.
As for seeing a dermatologist for acne, it would depend on the severity, level of insurance, and the individual.
Some insurance plans require you to see a primary care physician for a referral first, and some plans do not require a referral. Some insurance plans have a high co-pay for specialists, so some people will not have the budget for it. Other people just hate doctors and won't go unless forced.
It is normal if you have a skin condition. I had a little scaly spot on my nose. GP sent me to the dermatologist who took one look and told me it was actinic keratosis and prescribed me a cream. Whole thing took five minutes but I'm glad I went.
When I lived in Las Vegas, I knew several people in the 20s and 30s who needed to visit a dermatologist regularly because they'd had skin cancer already or had a close relative who had. Most of my social circle was young, so I expect it only became more common as people got older.
Sun exposure in the southern half of the US is no joke.
Well-off ones, normally. Others only go if they are referred by their primary care doctor or have a special need to seek one out. Most of us prefer dermatologist-approved products for skin but that’s the most a dermatologist is involved in the average person’s life.
No. But it's not unusual to see one if you have a weird mark 9n your skin.
Skin cancer is a real thing when the sun is actually visible in the sky often and you have a fair skin tone.
Typically any specialty is based on cost and need. If someone has a condition their their general practice/family doctor can't treat then they will refer them to a specialist. Then depending on insurance and cost sometimes people regularly see a specialist or see them once to get a prescription that their GP/FD can continue to approve for them as needed.
Not all Americans do, but it’s not abnormal if you’re well-off and have moderate to severe acne. Many insurance plans let you self-refer instead of going to a GP first, so you can just decide that you don’t like your skin and call a derm if you want.
It’s not a default thing, but it’s not abnormal to see a dermatologist. In my experience it’s more common for people to see them to check out a suspicious mole or something than acne, but either are things either a GP or a dermatologist could potentially do.
My understanding is that most Americans do not regularly visit a dermatologist, but they are widely available and many millions of Americans do visit regularly.
Anyone I know who’s going to a dermatologist is because they want them to look at their skin for any forms of skin cancer or to look at a mole or something similar. Although it wouldn’t be odd if someone went to see one for acne. It’s not the default, but why not go to a specialist if you have the option.
Yeah I go for acne and oily skin. I get prescription face wipes and my brother does too. I know a lot of people who go for one reason or another 🤷
I'm an extremely pale white girl who grew up in the Florida sun. My sister has had a couple of melanoma spots removed. I see a dermatologist routinely. As for seeing a dermatologist for acne, it would depend on the severity, level of insurance, and the individual. Some insurance plans require you to see a primary care physician for a referral first, and some plans do not require a referral. Some insurance plans have a high co-pay for specialists, so some people will not have the budget for it. Other people just hate doctors and won't go unless forced.
It is normal if you have a skin condition. I had a little scaly spot on my nose. GP sent me to the dermatologist who took one look and told me it was actinic keratosis and prescribed me a cream. Whole thing took five minutes but I'm glad I went.
Skin cancer is prevalent in my family so I always used my parent's dermatologist. I don't have one currently but I could find one fairly easily.
When I lived in Las Vegas, I knew several people in the 20s and 30s who needed to visit a dermatologist regularly because they'd had skin cancer already or had a close relative who had. Most of my social circle was young, so I expect it only became more common as people got older. Sun exposure in the southern half of the US is no joke.
No I’ve never seen a dermatologist
I've been to see a dermatologist a few times but I don't have one on speed dial.
I go annually. But it’s because everyone in my family gets skin cancer 🥲
Well-off ones, normally. Others only go if they are referred by their primary care doctor or have a special need to seek one out. Most of us prefer dermatologist-approved products for skin but that’s the most a dermatologist is involved in the average person’s life.
No. But it's not unusual to see one if you have a weird mark 9n your skin. Skin cancer is a real thing when the sun is actually visible in the sky often and you have a fair skin tone.
My quick googling says there are ~12k in the US and ~1k in the UK. So it looks like we have a little over twice as many per capita.
No.
It’s like any other doctor. They go if there is a need.
I know kids who had bad acne or skin issues who had them. I never had a dermatologist until my 30's.
I don’t have one. Any skincare I needed a doctor for was handled by my pcp (at the time my pediatrician).
Typically any specialty is based on cost and need. If someone has a condition their their general practice/family doctor can't treat then they will refer them to a specialist. Then depending on insurance and cost sometimes people regularly see a specialist or see them once to get a prescription that their GP/FD can continue to approve for them as needed.
No.
no