Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Dermatologist will review your medical history, ask a series of questions and examine you. Before your visit, you may want to prepare by writing down any over-the-counter or prescription medications you are already taking, and making a list of your concerns. However, try to prioritize just one or two concerns during an appointment. Tempting as it may be to bring all your skincare questions to the table, your dermatologist won’t be able to give each one the
attention it deserves.

As dermatology is a very visual form of medicine, the doctor may be able to diagnose your condition through examining your skin directly or using a dermatoscope (a magnifying device). In some cases it may be necessary to organise diagnostic tests such as skin swabs (to test for fungal, bacterial or viral conditions), blood tests (to look for markers or levels consistent with certain conditions) or a skin biopsy (where a small piece of skin is sent to a specialist pathologist for evaluation) in order to fully diagnose the conditions. Results normally take up to 10 days for blood tests, 2 weeks for biopsies, and 4 weeks for swabs due to the laboratory processes involved.

The consultation typically lasts for 20-30 minutes, however, some appointments can be very quick when the dermatologist has extensive experience in the condition. Although we strive to stick to our scheduled appointment times, some conditions will ultimately require more attention, resulting in a delay in our remaining appointments for the day. This is beyond our control and we therefore ask for your patience and understanding in such cases.

Based on the diagnosis, the Dermatologist will describe treatment options including any risks or side-effects and the sort of results you should expect. A private prescription may be issued for any medications required. Treatment may include oral or topical medication, a procedure such as injections, cryotherapy or surgery. In some cases the Dermatologist will advise to take no action where the condition will resolve on its own. Where a condition is not treatable, advice will be provided on how to manage living with it. If your condition may involve other organs, a referral to another specialist will be recommended.

It would be amazing if all you had to do was make one appointment, get a medication, and never have to worry about your condition again. Unfortunately, most conditions do not work that way. It can sometimes take a few tries to hit on the right treatment, or combination of treatments to achieve the desired results. So please don’t be discouraged by these return visits. Subsequent visits can also be used to address other skin care concerns that you missed in your initial consultation.