Your dermatologist will review your medical history and ask you some questions. Your dermatologist may ask you about issues that are not directly related to your skin, but the answers are all relevant. It is recommended that you write down your medical history and any products/medications you are using or have used so you can remember them. To get the most out of your dermatology consultation, try to be as detailed as you can when you answer the questions.
After your dermatologist reviews your medical history, they will examine you. You will be asked to dress down and put on a gown so your dermatologist can check your whole body. Since dermatology is a very visual form of medicine, your dermatologist may be able to diagnose your condition by examining your skin directly or using a magnifying device (a dermatoscope), which can help your dermatologist to observe certain lesions better. They will make sure to check your skin thoroughly. Sometimes, your dermatologist still examines your whole body even if you have made the appointment because of acne. While this may seem odd, remember that your dermatologist may need to check all of your skin problems, even the ones you may not know yet.
In some cases, should your dermatologist find something suspicious, they may schedule diagnostic tests for you, such as:
Blood tests to diagnose systemic disease related to skin lesions or to observe patient's vital organ functions. It is also done to check if hormonal imbalance is the cause of skin problems, such as acne in teenagers.
Skin swabs to test for bacterial, viral, or fungal conditions or sensitivities to antibiotics for treatment
Skin biopsy to check for skin infections, skin cancer, or other skin disorders, such as psoriasis. It involves taking a small piece of skin sample and sending it to a specialist pathologist for evaluation.
Do not be scared if your dermatologist ordered you to get a skin biopsy. In most cases, the result is not serious. Even if the results are not what you would like to hear, there are various treatments available, particularly when detected early.
Your dermatologist will determine your treatment options based on the diagnosis. They will describe each treatment in detail, including the risks, side effects, benefits, and the sort of results you can expect. If any medications required, your dermatologist may prescribe oral or topical medication. If something unusual or the involvement of other organs is suspected, you may be referred to see the relevant specialist as a next step.
Do not forget to ask as many questions as you want about your condition, how to avoid it in the future, and any other concerns you may have.