What Is a Dermatologist, and How Do They Differ from a General Doctor?
When you have a skin problem, whether it is stubborn acne, melasma, an itchy rash, a suspicious mole, or you want laser treatment, many people choose a clinic based on "low prices" or "lots of reviews" without knowing whether the person examining them is truly a board-certified dermatologist. This article explains, from a dermatologist's perspective, what a dermatologist is, how their training differs from that of a general doctor, and why this difference matters for your treatment results and safety.
What is a dermatologist?
A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in skin disease, having completed additional training after general medical school and passed examinations to earn Board Certification in Dermatology. Dermatology is the field that studies the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes.
Dermatologists do not only care for cosmetic concerns. They diagnose and treat skin diseases, from common conditions to complex and rare ones, and also perform minor skin surgery, skin biopsies, and skin cancer screening.
How does a dermatologist differ from a general doctor?
The main difference lies in the length and depth of specialist training. In brief:
General practitioner: completes a 6-year medical degree and holds a medical licence. They can care for a wide range of general illnesses, but have not had in-depth specialist training in skin disease.
Dermatologist: after becoming a general doctor, continues with several more years of specialist training in dermatology, covering skin disease diagnosis, reading biopsy results, specialist medications, and procedures. They then sit the board examination at an accredited institution.
Doctor with a short cosmetic course: a general practitioner who has taken extra training in cosmetic procedures such as botulinum toxin injections or lasers, but who does not hold dermatology board certification. This is the most common misunderstanding.
Put simply, every dermatologist is a doctor, but not every doctor who performs skin procedures is a dermatologist.
What does a dermatologist treat?
The scope of a dermatologist's work is broader than many people think. It falls into 4 main groups:
Common and chronic skin conditions: acne, melasma, freckles, eczema, psoriasis, hives, fungal infections, hair loss, vitiligo.
Complex or rare skin conditions: autoimmune skin diseases, blistering diseases, childhood skin conditions, and diseases that need careful differential diagnosis.
Skin surgery and diagnosis: removal of moles or skin lumps, biopsy, and skin cancer screening.
Lasers and cosmetic procedures: lasers for melasma, dark spots, and fine blood vessels, hair removal, botulinum toxin, and fillers, all based on an understanding of skin structure.
Why does choosing a dermatologist matter?
More accurate diagnosis: rashes that look similar can be different diseases that need completely different treatment. A wrong diagnosis wastes time and money.
Safer procedures: lasers or injections performed by someone without expertise risk burns, permanent dark marks, or serious side effects.
Not missing serious disease: some moles or sores can be a sign of skin cancer. A specialist knows when to take a biopsy.
Long-term planning: chronic conditions such as acne, melasma, and psoriasis need continuing care, not just a quick fix.
How to check that a doctor is truly a specialist
Before deciding on treatment, you have the right to check, and you should:
Ask for the dermatology board certification, not just a general medical licence.
Check the medical licence number with the Medical Council of Thailand (it has a searchable system).
Find out who actually performs the treatment, because some places advertise a specialist while the procedures are done by staff or a general doctor.
Be wary of unusually low prices that do not identify the treating doctor.
Dermatologist vs a general cosmetic clinic
Many cosmetic clinics focus mainly on cosmetic procedures and are often run by general doctors who have completed short courses. This can suit basic cosmetic work. But for skin diseases, rashes that cannot be diagnosed, acne or melasma that resists treatment, suspicious moles, or skin problems in children and people with chronic conditions, you need a specialist clinic where a dermatologist examines you personally.
This is why Siam Dermatology (formerly Dr.Pat Skin Clinic) positions itself as a specialist skin disease clinic, not a general cosmetic clinic. Every patient is examined by a dermatologist, and laser and skin surgery procedures are performed by doctors with specialist training.
When should you see a dermatologist?
A rash or acne that has not improved with self-care or treatment at a general clinic.
A mole or lump that grows, changes colour, bleeds, or has an irregular shape.
Melasma or dark spots that you want to treat with laser safely and properly.
Unusual hair loss, nail problems, or skin problems in children.
You want a second opinion before an expensive procedure.
Written by Dr. Patara Voravutinon, Dermatologist · Last reviewed July 2, 2026
The information in this article is for general understanding only and is not a diagnosis or personalized treatment advice. Please see a doctor for a direct assessment of your condition.
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