Dermatologists train for at least four years, usually a year of general medicine followed by three years of dermatology. Beutner and Geisse have each had six years of training with advanced training in different subspecialities, such as infectious diseases and pediatrics for Dr. Beutner, and skin cancer and laser surgery and dermatopathology for Dr. Geisse.
Dermatologists are experts at all skin conditions for both in their diagnosis and management.
Dermatologists provide invaluable services to patients with chronic skin diseases that cause chronic rashes, itching, blistering problems that require sometimes sophisticated treatment such as light therapy and anticancer drugs. Dermatologists are also expert at various cosmetic procedures, including removal of benign lesions on the face and elsewhere, laser surgery and liposuction of which some of the first procedures were performed in this country by dermatologists. The originator of tumescent anesthesia, Dr. Jeffrey Klein, was also a dermatologist. Chemical peels, hair transplants, dermabrasion, and acne scar revision were all discovered and refined by dermatologists and dermatologic surgeons. Patients should have direct access to dermatology and, in fact, laws have been passed in various states which require health insurance companies to allow direct access to dermatologists.