Considering seeing a dermatologist? Here’s how to go about it.
Dr. Geeta Yadav, Board-Certified Dermatologist answers your questions.
If you’ve browsed the Wall Street Journal, Vanity Fair & Allure magazines or Huffington Post online, you may have seen Canadian buzz-worthy dermatologist Dr. Geeta Yadav answering questions and sharing global skincare trends. The Toronto-based doctor and founder of FACET Dermatology has captured the attention of U.S. media over the past 12 months as the go-to expert for all things professional skincare. She has the unique ability to explain complex technologies and procedures in simple, easy-to-understand terms. I sat down with her recently to ask her to explain how a regular individual goes about seeing a dermatologist for a specific skin concern.
Dave: To start, many people feel a little intimidated or nervous about visiting a dermatologist. Can you tell us a little bit about the process?
Dr. Yadav: Once you get your appointment, you will meet with a dermatologist and share your concerns, whether they’re a specific medical issue or a desire to look more youthful. Your dermatologist will make a diagnosis and determine the best course of action for treatment for your unique needs. From there, you’ll work together towards your goals.
D.L. Do you need to be referred to a dermatologist by a family doctor? And if so, why is this?
Dr. Yadav: Typically, yes, when Canadian patients need to be referred to specialist doctors, like dermatologists, by their family doctors before they can be seen for treatment of a medical issue. This will ensure coverage by your province’s health plan. Waiting for an appointment slot can take a while but know that if your specific concern is potentially serious, such as skin cancer, your appointment will be made sooner. For patients interested in aesthetic treatments like injectables or laser skin resurfacing, they can directly contact the dermatology clinic as these procedures are elective and thus not covered by a health plan.
D.L. Some people think that visiting a dermatologist is very expensive. Can you tell us about how many of the services are affordable?
Dr. Yadav: Beyond medical treatments that are covered by your province’s health plan, aesthetic treatments do cost money. Affordability depends on a lot of factors, including where you and your dermatology clinic are geographically located (major cities like Toronto and Quebec have higher costs of living, which are reflected in prices), the expertise of your provider (the more experience they have, the more they tend to charge), the specific treatment and number of treatments you’re interested in, and other factors. At my practice, FACET Dermatology, we are always happy to share our treatment plan and pricing before starting any course of treatment; we also offer payment plans.
D.L. How are the clinical products you can buy at a dermatologist different from the ones you can buy in a drugstore like Shoppers Drug Mart? Is the percentage of active ingredients higher?
Dr. Yadav: They’re very different. Clinical products, sometimes referred to as cosmeceuticals, are developed with more potent ingredients than those you’d find at a drugstore. They’re also clinically proven to deliver powerful results. That’s not to say there aren’t great products at Shoppers Drug Mart, but there, you won’t get a customized routine designed specifically to target your concerns. At a dermatologist’s clinic, your provider will be able to select the best products for your unique needs. They’ll also be able to prescribe you even stronger formulas, like tretinoin, for more advanced results.
D.L. What are the most popular skin concerns people come to you with?
Dr. Yadav: That’s one of my favorite things about being a dermatologist — no day in clinic is the same! That said, I see a lot of patients looking to enhance their appearance with injectable treatments like Botox and Juvederm, reduce signs of aging with resurfacing lasers, and remove growths like moles and skin tags. I also treat concerns like acne, psoriasis, and eczema.
D.L. Has technology changed much over the past five years? Are you able to better treat conditions with new lasers and technology?
Dr. Yadvav: Technology has changed significantly throughout the course of my career, including over the past five years. The advancement in device technology has allowed for more precise and targeted treatment of a wide range of concerns, whether they’re broken blood vessels or love handles. I’m especially excited about one of the recent additions to my clinic, Emsculpt NEO. It uses a blend of high intensity focused electromagnetic technology and radiofrequency to simultaneously strengthen and tone muscles while burning away fat. It’s highly effective and can be used all over the body, including love handles, the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, backs of the arms, and more.
D.L. What is the best skincare advice you can give a client?
Dr. Yadav: There is one piece of skincare advice that applies to anyone and everyone: Wear sunscreen every single day. Even if it’s cloudy or rainy, even if you’ll only be exposed to the sun a few times between errands when hopping out of the car, applying SPF 30 or higher is an absolute must. Using sunscreen not only helps prevent premature aging of the skin for a longer-lasting youthful appearance but can also prevent the formation of skin cancer. There are so few products you can buy at your local drugstore that could help save your life — why not wear it?
D.L. Tell us a little about your interviews with American magazines and sites like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Vanity Fair. What are the most common questions you get from them?
Dr. Yadav: In addition to commenting on current trends in skincare like “slugging” with Vaseline and popular ingredients, I speak to common medical issues like eczema, best practices in buying and applying sunscreen, how to prevent and treat body acne, and more! I love answering these “burning questions” that readers have for dermatologists and am honored to be able to help people and share my knowledge on such a wide scale.
D.L. Are you able to treat conditions like adult acne and rosacea in your clinic?
Dr. Yadav: Yes, certainly. While I do practice aesthetic dermatology, my practice is rooted in a clinical approach. General and medical dermatology are my original specialties and I pride myself on providing my patients with personalized and efficacious care.
D.L. What message would you like to give Canadians thinking of visiting a dermatologist but are a little nervous?
Dr. Yadav: Don’t be nervous! My fellow dermatologists and I are eager to help you. Your skin is your largest organ and shouldn’t be neglected. Whether you’re seeking out a skin cancer screening or a treatment to help you look more refreshed and rested, we’re here to help guide you along your journey and provide the utmost in patient care.
Dr. Geeta Yadav is a Board-Certified Dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology
(www.facetdermatology.com) She’s located at 2533 Danforth Avenue in Toronto. 416-698-5521
75 Comments
bn100
February 1, 2023 at 10:04 pmnice interview
Paula S.
February 1, 2023 at 8:57 pmThank you for a very informative article!
Susie Wilkinson
February 1, 2023 at 8:16 pm@SusieWilkinson
In the UK, we’re quite fortunate, as, if we do need to see a dermatologist, we will be referred on the NHS. They were great when I developed rosacea.
Donna Maslen
February 1, 2023 at 4:52 pmSuch an informative article. Thanks!
@iCruiseify
Daniela Sborlini
February 1, 2023 at 3:39 pmGreat info Dave, you asked really good questions. Ive visited a dermatologist a couple of times to do biopsy on beauty marks and a couple of other skin issues. Thanks for sharing @daniela27
Denise
February 1, 2023 at 2:08 pmWonderful interview with great information.
Coline T.
February 1, 2023 at 12:32 pmI had consulted a dermatologist for acne, it was very effective, I recommend! 🙂
Kristen Visser
February 1, 2023 at 11:43 amFabulous interview and article ! Such an important topic to address
Catherine Badenhorst
February 1, 2023 at 2:43 pmVery interesting article. When I was in my early twenties I went to a dermatologist for treatment of severe acne… yes it was very intimidating and a little embarrassing but the best decision I made.
Maria Yeung
February 1, 2023 at 11:08 amThanks for the info! Very interesting! I’m religious on applying sunscreen!
Kadean
January 31, 2023 at 9:38 amAs a trainee family doctor it is really nice to see this information out there. Although it may seem common what a dermatologist does and how they can help isn’t known about enough from the public. Thanks for this article!
Debbie Miller
January 29, 2023 at 12:52 pmThe only time I saw a Dermatologist was because of my psiorasis which thankfully has been in complete remission for about 5 years.. Thank you for this positive article which I have found very interesting and useful.
Jennifer L
January 16, 2023 at 6:48 pmI have been seeing one for a long time because I’ve had eczema since birth, they are also helpful in asking with other skin care, or if theres a new trend if its good or bad.
Susan T.
January 16, 2023 at 12:47 pmThis is so helpful. I didn’t realize a dermatologist could be covered under provincial health care!
Patricia Mohk
January 10, 2023 at 12:12 amI was just thinking about checking one out. Good info and and answered my questions.
Jamie Johnson
January 7, 2023 at 2:33 pmLove this piece! And she is SO right about, well everything lol! But mostly that your skin is your largest organ, and you’d go see a doctor about anything else you had concerns about, why not for your skin? And I’d say don’t wait. Whatever your concerns are now, they’ll be bigger later. I waited too long to see a dermatologist, and I wish I had gone sooner. But they did help me and also helped refer me to another doctor. Best decision I ever made! Thanks Dave!
Dawn Renee
February 1, 2023 at 8:27 amGetting into a dermatologist can take time. When you find a great doctor with patience it is worth it and they are definitely help with so many skin issues. Prevention and maintenance.
Ellie Falls
January 6, 2023 at 5:14 pmVery helpful information!
Wendy Lam-Vechi
January 5, 2023 at 7:54 amI really need to remember to apply suncream on my face everyday. I keep forgetting yet I’m so concerned about ageing
Heather Fawcett
January 3, 2023 at 5:17 pmI have seen a Dermatologist in the pass for different skin issues. Great article
Janet M
January 3, 2023 at 12:40 pmThanks for the great info. I haven’t seen dermatologists in the past.
Sima Shirmohammadian
December 29, 2022 at 10:26 pmVery interesting post! I’ll be sure to consider these tips next time I’ve got any skin concerns 😊
Sana HS
December 29, 2022 at 5:01 pmGreat interview!
The sunscreen tip is the most important one and I’m trying to stick to it as much as I can 🙂
Cheryl Royston
December 29, 2022 at 4:09 pmI started a new drug for Ulcerative Colitis and I am losing my hair. I am very concerned and upset about this as women love their hair. My doctor who put me on this new drug is sending me to a dermatologist and I am can’t wait to go and I hope there is something she can do to help me!!
Gail v. Siemko
November 8, 2022 at 11:50 amThank you for all of this pertinent information, it’s made me Think twice and I will encourage everyone to go! G
Gail V.Siemko
Dawn C Purcell-Musgrave
September 24, 2022 at 12:42 amI have gone to a Dermatologist off and on my whole life. I need to go very soon again. Thank you for an article with great information.
Anna Roszak Robinson
September 22, 2022 at 7:46 amGreat information!
Thank you!