Anyone been to a dermatologist ?

MrsH8611

I am going Wednesday and it will be my first time ever going to one.

Make-up on or off when I go?

Some people said they have cried when they left? Seriously? What the heck is this lady going to say to me to make me cry?

Has anyone had any non-legit derms that have given them wrong or misleading advice? I have heard the derm is a crock and they use the same 4 prescriptions for everyone?

Lastly, should I tell her my regimen and what I think is wrong with my skin etc or just let her tell me what she thinks is the issue without my skin's history? ( I am sure she will ask, but I just don't want to offend her by saying like, " Well my skin this,, and my skin that etc.) And her thinking, I am the one who studied this, let me do my job kind of thing.

Any tips greatly appreciated!!! Thanks Ladies

SnarkyWoman

I am sure the lady is going to say you are ugly and I am sure you have more pimples on your ass cheeks than on your face

Blueyed228

Makeup off

No reason to be leaving crying

If you dont trust her, get a second opinion before you take any meds.

Just let her know your regime, and when you get oily, breakouts, dry etc.

musicalsunlight

She should definitely listen to you about what you notice about your skin. Just because she sees you for an appt doesn't mean she will be able to know all your problems without hearing some history.

I'm guessing you are going for acne or other skin issues, not a mole check up? For a mole checkup they usually don't ask much more than how long you have noticed a mole or if it has changed size, shape, etc. I wouldn't think you should leave crying!

SnarkyWoman

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_anyone-been-to-a-dermatologist?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:b3a1cb7e-fcda-43d6-a052-b7c94f6ae83bPost:50adf4fd-1bf4-4a53-9812-e26acd5fbc2e">Re: Anyone been to a dermatologist ?</a>:
[QUOTE]Why on earth would someone cry when they leave the dermatologist's office?
Posted by LucyHC[/QUOTE]

Because there is no cure *roll eyes* You are a dumbass

J&K10910

Makeup off. 

I had a derm put me on Accutane when I didn't have the right type of acne for it.  And then kept me on it for several months, even though I was having debilitating side effects.

But that was only one.  I personally have better results with OTC stuff than I ever did with derms, but I know that some people have really good luck.

blues28

Make up off. What are you going to the dermatologist for? Is it a medical or cosmetic issue? I've been to a dermatologist several times relating to both. The proceduces can hurt. I've had to have moles removed, not pleasant. 

blgrout

who in the world is Snarkywoman and what is her problem? 

OP, I cried at my derm's office, but that was when my ex-derm went BSC and told me that melanoma is no big deal and visiting once per year is fine (I've had 3 surgeries for stage 1/2 melanoma and they've found 2 pre-cancers since, so my oncologist wants me in 2x per year to the derm for skin checks). So yes, to answer your question about non-legit advice, I've gotten some and I never went back to her.  I actually reported her bad advice and she called and apologized and blamed it on having "a bad day".  Whatev.  

 For most visits, it's NBD.  If it's a skin/mole check, they usually only take about 10-15 minutes.  Biopsies are uncomfortable but over quick.

I haven' been for acne/cosmetic issues since I was a kid, so I can't help much for that.  I would say no matter what, definitely makeup off so they can see everything for what it is.

daria24

FI and I both went to the same dermatologist. She told me I had psoriasis (based on a visual assessment) and told him that the spot on his face was just a liver spot. We both went and got a second opinion. Turns out I don't have psoriasis, and his "liver spot" was actually melanoma. 

So yeah, there are some shiitty dermatologists out there. If you have a bad feeling about the one you go to, get a second opinion. And even if you are just going for cosmetic issues, get your moles checked anyway! 

MrsH8611

I have no idea!! A few girls at my work said they have left crying So sad !! I don't know what professional would do something like that! Thank gosh it was in a different state!

AllABoutthe Benj: Or yes they could be all basketcases haha

AllAboutTheBenjamin

I've only been to a derm to get a couple moles removed, but yeah, even though it hurt I didn't leave crying.  I think those girls either went to an asshole dermatologist or they're complete basketcases.

MrsH8611

blgrout : Oh My gosh! I am so sorry! That sucks! I am so sorry you have had to go through all that! Hopefully clear skies from now on? And my reason for going is I just started having slight acne issues and I work at a cosmetic counter, which I believe is possibly to blame. and it has just started in the last 5 to 6 months. Just after the wedding thank gosh. And nothing it making it go away. And my monthly cycle is all irregular now too which never happens. And I am assuming she will recommend birth control pills but I can't take them. So that's why I am trying to seek out some more info and if I should stick with the final choice my new derm will make. Thanks so much for your help!!! And I have no idea who that snarky lady is?

Daria24: Yes I will definitely do that! Thank you!

specialk84

The dermatologist I saw as a pimply-faced teenager was super creepy. I refused to go back to him. A week later, he was busted for running a prostitution ring out of a few of the strip clubs he owned.

My new dermatologist is great. I go yearly for mole checks and have had a number of precancerous spots removed. She also helps me deal with my eczema and with my super dry, yet acne-prone skin. I do have a few presciptions from her, but she stresses inexpensive OTC products and lifestyle changes.

OP, if you aren't comfortable with what your doctor tells you, get a second opinion. 

specialk84

Oh, and you should go with your makeup off, but bring a list of all the products you use.

Blue & White

You should go with your make-up off, but if you go into the appointment thinking the derm isn't a real doctor, then you're not going to get real results.

At my derm, the vast majority of patients go for reasons OTHER than acne/oily/dry skin.  A derm is not a make-up artist that is allowed to write prescriptions, so you want to make sure you're going for the right reasons.  Acne issues are a fine reason to go, but you have to realize that acne isn't as debilitating as say, skin cancer.  Acne also tends to be a bit like depression in that the first medication doesn't always fix the problem.  It's a bit of trial and error.

And I've never had a derm I didn't like.  Nor have I ever had a derm that prescribed me completely bogus prescriptions.  So I've been lucky. 

entropicbeauty

I've been to a dermatologist for eczema that I get on the back of my knee (not a problem now after they prescribed me a steroid lotion to keep it in check) and also when I was a kid they froze off some planter's warts that I'd gotten from going to public pools.

A dermatologist is a completely legit doctor, but like every other kind of practice there's going to be a range of how effective/good they are. If you don't fully trust what they have to tell you, feel free to get a second opinion.