Dermatology Courses

What is Dermatology?

Dermatology is a branch of medicine that deals with the skin and diseases of the skin. Dermatology involves the study, research, diagnosis, and management of any health conditions that may affect the skin, fat hair, nails, and membranes.

A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in conditions involving the skin, hair, and nails. A dermatologist can identify and treat more than 3,000 conditions. These conditions include eczema, psoriasis, and skin cancer, among many others. The skin is an incredible organ.

What 3rd level courses are available?

Universities and colleges in Ireland are offering courses in Dermatology in the following subject areas:

• Professional Certificate In Clinical Dermatology – Participants will develop comprehensive knowledge and understanding of dermatological diseases and enhance their knowledge of the scientific basis of clinical dermatology. They will also develop an understanding of the impact of dermatological conditions, referral pathways, imaging and management.
• ProfCert Skin & Hair Follicle Science – Participants will develop comprehensive knowledge and understanding of human skin and its appendages and will enhance their knowledge of the scientific basis of skin function.
• ITEC Level 2 Beauty Specialist Skin and Eye Certificate Day Course – This Skin and Eye Certificate is for a candidate who wishes to gain a qualification to specialise in facial, skincare treatments and eye enhancement.
• Level 7 Aesthetic Skin Complete – The study of combining clinically proven treatments and core dermal science to practice ethically and confidently within the growing aesthetics sector.
• The Skin Specialist – This course will prepare the graduate for work in the following environments and career opportunities include: Salon, Private Consultant and Beauty product company employment.
• Certificate in Skin Rejuvenation – The advanced skin therapy and rejuvenation courses are designed to instil a deep understanding of skin science and practical techniques.

Studying Dermatology 

There are many courses in Dermatology that may take place over a few days, weeks or even 1 year to 4 years depending on the course and modules selected. There are also part-time courses and night courses available so you can be sure to fit in your studies no matter what your schedule is like.

Courses will cover theory work through lectures, assignments, tutorials and taught modules. Assessments will take place on a continuous basis with written examinations and practical assignments combined in order to achieve a qualification.

You could also consider work experience or a work shadow in the industry. Relevant work experience is a good way of demonstrating a genuine interest in the field and is regarded favourably by employers.

Work Experience will not only give you the opportunity to obtain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the industry, it will also give you a chance to do some essential networking with other industry professionals and gain valuable contacts for the future.

Career options

After completing a Dermatology course you will be able to get started in a career that uses specific knowledge of skin and skin health.

Dermatologists examine patients with skin conditions and overview the progress of dermatological treatments.

Dermatologists diagnose skin problems, from mild ones like sunburn to severe ones such as skin cancer. They conduct screenings and skin evaluations and analyze the patients’ medical history to determine appropriate treatments. Dermatologists also oversee how effective the treatments are and refer patients to different specialists if needed.

There are different specializations in dermatology, such as paediatric dermatology, dermatopathology, etc. When crafting your own dermatologist job description, make sure to tailor responsibilities and requirements to the role’s required expertise and area of speciality.

Working hours will depend on whether you are self-employed, employed by a company with set business hours or if you are contracted to various businesses or companies. You’ll typically work a 40-hour week, with hours between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday. However, depending on the facility you work for and your chosen speciality, you may have to work nights, weekends or be on on-call duty.

Related jobs include:

• Dermatologist
• Dermatology nurse
• Dermatologist assistant
• Dermatology sales representative
• Dermatopathologist
• Immunodermatologist
• Mohs surgeon
• Paediatric dermatologist
• Aesthetic dermatologist
• Cosmetologist
• Aesthetician
• Clinical Technologist
• Medical Sales Representative
• Dietician
• Geneticist
• Physiotherapist
• Occupational Therapist
• Nurse
• Pharmacist

Further study

After completing a course in Dermatology you may choose to pursue further study in a specialist field to increase your knowledge base and skill set. Postgraduate study can also be used as a means to change career focus or to gain professional qualifications required to practise in certain career areas such as Cosmetology, Aesthetics and Medical Sales.

FAQ

What is the importance of Dermatology?

The skin is the largest organ of the body, which acts as a barrier to protect the internal organs from injury and bacteria. It is also a good indicator of the overall health of the body, making the field of dermatology important in the diagnosis and management of many health conditions.

Dermatology can help individuals to overcome acne, examine skin spots, receive skin cancer screening and treat eczema or psoriasis and more.

What are some subspecialties of Dermatology?

As is true for most medical disciplines, there are several subspecialties within dermatology:

• Cosmetic dermatology – focuses on the patient’s appearance and is sometimes defined as the speciality which emphasizes ‘looking good.’ Cosmetic dermatologists are trained in the use of fillers, botox, and laser surgery.
• Dermatopathology – A dermatopathologist is a pathologist or dermatologist who specializes in the science of the causes and effects of diseases of the skin.
• Immunodermatology – The focus of immunodermatology is the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders distinguished by defective responses of the body’s immune system.

Where can I study Dermatology?

Explore your options here

 Did You Know?

• The average person’s skin covers an area of 2 square meters and accounts for about 15% of your body weight.
• The average person has about 300 million skin cells and a single square inch of skin has about 19 million cells and up to 300 sweat glands.
• Your skin is its thickest on your feet (1.4mm) and thinnest on your eyelids (0.2mm).
• Your skin constantly sheds dead cells, about 30,000 to 40,000 cells every minute and completely renews itself every 28 days.
• Changes in your skin can sometimes signal changes in your overall health.