Should you see a dermatologist?

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