How To Become A Dermatologist

How to Become a Dermatologist

After completing your 12th in the science stream with PCB as Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as the main subjects, you need to prepare and appear for the MBBS entrance examination. 

It is a 4-5 years degree course in medical sciences. To become a dermatologist, you will be required to take another 3 years of master’s in dermatology, and later if you wish you can go for any kind of specialization you wish.

Eligibility to become a Dermatologist

You need to fulfill the following eligibility criteria for becoming a dermatologist.

• Pass 12th class examination with a minimum of 50% marks. The Science stream is a must in the 12th class.

• Have a valid NEET UG score.

• The age limit to appear in NEET is 17 to 25 years.

Courses, Duration and Entrance Examination

After finishing your MBBS, you have a choice to select the courses you would like to pursue your career in dermatology.

 Specializations you can choose from are as follows:

•  Cosmetic dermatology
• Pediatric dermatology
• Immunodermatology
• Dermatopathology
• Teledermatology
• Mohs surgery

There are various levels like certificate, diploma, bachelor, and masters with the following options:

• Diploma in Dermatology course duration of 2 years.
• Bachelor of Science in Dermatology with a duration of 3 years.
• Post Graduate Diploma in Dermatology, Venereology & Leprosy with a duration of 2 years.
• Master of Science in Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology with a duration of 2 years.
• Doctor of Medicine in Dermatology & Venereology with a duration of 3 years.
• Doctor of Philosophy in Dermatology & Venereology with a duration of 3 years.

To get admission to MBBS, you need to appear in the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET), a few colleges have their own medical entrance exams, whereas the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) NEET examination is a must.

Admission Process

There are various institutes offering dermatology courses for 6 years post-graduation or 3 years D.M/M.Ch course and all conduct their own entrance examinations as follows:

• INI CET exam for MD/MS

• AIIMS PG for D.M/M.Ch

• NEET PG for MD/MS/PG Diploma courses in all colleges in India

• JIPMER PG for getting admission in PG/course in Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research

Following institutes offer PG and courses in dermatology:

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)

• Maharashtra University of Health Sciences

• Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER)

• SRM University

• Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil University

Dermatology Courses without MBBS

You can also become a Dermatologist without doing MBBS. Though the skills remain the same, the path is slightly different. You can opt for courses from the recognized institutes and choose the course as per your choice and requirement as shared below: 

• B.Sc. Dermatology

• M.Sc. Dermatology

• M.Sc. in Burn Case

• Ph.D. (Dermatology & Venerology)

• Ph.D. (Dermatology)

• Bachelor of Dermal Science

• B.Sc. in Clinical Dermatology

• M.Sc. in Skin Sciences and Regenerative Medicine

• M.Phil/Ph.D. in Dermatological Sciences

• Diploma in Dermatology

• Diploma in Advanced Skin Studies and Clinical Aesthetics

• Diploma in Skin and Venereology and Dermatology

• Diploma in Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy

• Postgraduate Diploma in Venereology and Leprosy

• PG Diploma in Practical Dermatology

• Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Cosmetology

There are many colleges in India offering dermatology courses. The most common subjects in 3-4 years of bachelor programs and in 1-2 years master programs are as follows:

• Skin biology

• Common skin disorders

• Diseases of hair, nails, oral lesions, scalp

• Clinical practice

• Hair removal

• Cosmetic surgeries

• Skin diseases in kids, old people, adolescence, women and during pregnancies

• Skin infections and infestations

• Moles, pigmentations, and cancer

• Actinic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma

CAREER AS A DERMATOLOGIST

The changing pollution levels, weather conditions, and increasing stress levels have added to the various skin conditions and serious diseases worldwide.

Aspiration to look perfect all the time among certain age groups and professions demands dermatologists and new techniques and treatments.

There is a huge demand for jobs in the clinics and hospitals attending to patients with skin conditions. Cosmetic surgery is another much-in-demand area where wellness centers have a lot of people coming in for the same. 

There is also an option to teach the students in institutes or go to any research institute if you are interested to go for clinical or cosmetic research companies.

Salary 

You can earn well depending upon your experience and location. You can either work in some hospital or get associated with a clinic or practice your own. 

The dermatologist makes a good amount of money and with experience, it keeps growing. Look at the way all celebrities worldwide undergo so many cosmetic surgeries to enhance their look and to have youthful skin. 

A decent average salary can be in the range of 8 lac to 10 lac per year as a start and with experience, it multiplies fast.

Books and Study Materials

If you wish to become a good dermatologist, books are always a safe bet to add to your knowledge. Few recommended by the experts are as follows:

• Clinical Dermatology: A Colour Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy 6th Edition

• Hurwitz Clinical Pediatric Dermatology: A textbook of Skin Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence 5th Edition.

• Atlas of Clinical Dermatology (du Vivier, Atlas of Clinical Dermatology) 4th Edition

• Andrews’ Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology 12th Edition

• Fitzpatrick’s Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology, Seventh Edition

INR. Average salary according to specialization:

Pros and Cons of a Career in Dermatology

 Pros

• Dermatologists are in good demand worldwide.

• They are highly paid doctors.

• They have a wide scope of growing while handling different kinds of conditions and cases related to skin, scalp, hair, and nails.

• They have a choice to get associated with cosmetic manufacturing companies, or research companies and dermatology clinics.

Cons

• Becoming a dermatologist involves many years of studies along with real hard work to become a specialist.

• The fee structure of medical studies is very high.

• This field keeps getting new procedures and techniques very fast and one needs to invest time and money to get the same.

• The work schedule can be very demanding.

Top Colleges in India to Pursue Career as a dermatologist

There are many colleges offering dermatology courses, but the top ones are as follows:

1. AIIMS Delhi – All India Institute of Medical Sciences New

2. AFMC Pune – Armed Forces Medical College

3. CMC Vellore – Christian Medical College

4. Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi

5. KMC Mangalore – Kasturba Medical College

6. MS Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore

7. KMC Manipal – Kasturba Medical College

8. St Johns Medical College, Bangalore

9. KPC Medical College and Hospital, Jadavpur

Conclusion

This blog post outlines the process of becoming a dermatologist. It takes years of hard work and dedication, but it is possible to reach this goal if you are willing to put in the effort. 

If you are interested in becoming a dermatologist, be sure to go through the details and aim to achieve your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does it take to become a dermatologist?

It takes a total of 8-9 years to be a specialist in dermatology after you have done your 12th class. It involves 4-5 years of MBBS degree followed by 3 more years to achieve masters in Dermatology.

2. How much does it cost to become a dermatologist?

It involves around 25 lakh or maybe more in a few colleges to become a specialist in India.

3. Is the MBBS degree required to become a Dermatologist?

Yes, finishing your MBBS is important to get admitted to the PG for Dermatology.

4. Is NEET required for a dermatologist?

Yes, having NEET score is required to get into the course. However, certain other colleges in India have their own entrance examinations. If you wish to apply to any foreign university, they have its own rules and requirements.

For all the information related to How to Become A Dermatologist , read the above article completely.