What is a dermatologist?

The skin is the biggest organ in the human body. Not only is it protective against microbial and physical aggressions but, more importantly perhaps, it is the individual’s interface with the world at functional, personal and social levels. Even a common and rather benign skin disorder such as acne can have a tremendous effect on the quality of life of a patient and hold a heavy psychological burden on him or her. Still, conditions affecting the skin are frequently regarded as of minor significance, even by health care providers. On the other hand, distinction of diseases is subtle and serious skin conditions such as skin cancer often remain undiagnosed due to similarity with regular moles. For all these reasons, in several parts of the world including Lebanon, general practitioners aren’t necessarily familiar with recognition and treatment of skin diseases. Dermatologists are there just to fill that gap.

A dermatologist is a specialist in skin care, which encompasses the health and enhancement of skin, hair and nails. Dermatology is a specialty that mostly relies on an exercised eye to distinguish various diseases which frequently share the same manifestations. Therefore, 3 to 5 years of residency beyond the general medicine degree are required. Additional subspecialties such as pediatric dermatology, dermatologic surgery, cosmetic surgery, etc. are sometimes chosen by certain dermatologists to gain more training and experience in a particular field.

Who needs a dermatologist?

Dermatology serves a wide range of people and targets diverse fields and age groups. From children with skin allergy, birth red stains or congenital moles to adolescents with acne, to elderly with skin suffering from varices, from stretch marks to complete skin sloughing, all conditions regarding the skin, hair or nails can be treated by a dermatologist to provide a cure or short of that a treatment that insures the best quality of life.

About the society of dermatology:

The Lebanese Society of Dermatology and Venereal diseases was founded in 1963. It is a non-lucrative association that aims at regrouping the dermatologists of Lebanon in order to enhance the practice of dermatology in Lebanon, both in its scientific aspect and the legislative side that governs the profession in Lebanon. Like the remaining medical societies in Lebanon, it is part of the Lebanese Order of Physicians. In its beginnings, the society regrouped about 20 dermatologists. Throughout the years, and despite a suspension of its activities from 1975 to 1991 due to the civil war in Lebanon, it grew to regroup 171 members. In 1992, an administration board was again elected. From there onwards, the society’s activities resumed stressing on cooperation with the Pan Arab League of Dermatologists and the International League of Dermatological Societies. Among other tasks, it hosted the pan arab meeting in 1996 and organized joint meetings with the Jordanian and Syrian societies as well as participating in the international dermatology meeting of Paris. Ever since 2004, the society of dermatology holds an annual meeting in Beirut.