Dermatologists specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the skin, hair, and nails, including concerns related to cosmetic issues, such as sun damage and aging, as well as skin cancer, and other medical skin conditions.
Dermatologists who have additional interest and skill in performing surgical procedures are referred to as dermatologic surgeons or dermasurgeons.
Specialty terms like “dermatologist” and “dermatologic surgeon” are often unregulated and may be used in some states by any doctor, regardless of their training and credentials.
So, for instance, a doctor who has an active medical license and is board certified in Internal Medicine but who has not undergone any specialty training in dermatology may refer to him or herself as a dermatologist or dermasurgeon, despite the fact that their training and credentials may not reflect specialization in this area of medical practice.