Cosmetic Dermatologists
Cosmetic dermatologists are trained in traditional dermatology as well as surgical procedures for cosmetic purposes.
Dermatologists who complete fellowships in surgical dermatology -- like the use of Botox, cosmetic fillers, and laser surgeries for skin care -- have one foot in cosmetic surgery and one foot in the field of dermatology. Some dermatologists perform cosmetic procedures like face lifts, liposuction, and other skin-related cosmetic surgeries, although most cosmetic dermatologists work in the realm of minimally invasive procedures.
The American Board of Dermatology has not yet set the same kind of guidelines for cosmetic dermatology that you find in the field of plastic surgery -- this doesn't mean that cosmetic dermatologists are dangerous surgeons or aren't board certified, just that the field is new enough that the "red tape" hasn't quite caught up with the huge demand for cosmetic surgical procedures involving the work of a dermatologist. The popularity of Botox and laser medicine for skin improvement means that eventually cosmetic dermatologists will be forced to adhere to a strict guideline, comparable to that followed by other plastic surgeons.
Procedures Performed by Cosmetic Dermatologists
While dermatologists practicing traditional methods of skin treatment are plentiful, it takes a cosmetic dermatologist to perform certain procedures. You may find many of these treatments available through traditional dermatologist's offices, it is not uncommon for a dermatologist to refer patients to dermatologists trained in cosmetic surgery for a few specific treatments.
Anti-wrinkle Treatment
The best-known cosmetic dermatology procedure is the use of Botox -- a chemical used to get rid of wrinkles, crow's feet, laugh lines, and even clamminess in the hands. Because Botox is a relatively dangerous chemical when used improperly, cosmetic dermatologists are best equipped to use Botox in a clinical setting.
Fillers
Chemical fillers are used to make the skin look smoother, less wrinkled, more hydrated, younger, and generally reshape small areas of the face. Women looking for that "pouty" look any of a number of filler products to achieve it.
Chemical Peels
These treatments are another weapon in the cosmetic dermatologist's arsenal to fight problems in the skin's appearance. Chemical peels are used to improve the appearance of facial skin by literally burning away the damaged layers of skin. Because these procedures carry a certain amount of risk, qualified cosmetic dermatologists or plastic surgeons are generally required.
Laser Hair Removal
Using laser light to remove unwanted hair permanently is not the exclusive domain of cosmetic dermatologists. However, if you're attempting to get laser hair removal from a person who is not board certified in dermatology (at the least), you should reconsider. Possible risks from using a non-certified agent for your laser hair removal include heavy bleeding and opportunistic infection.
There are plenty of other procedures typically performed by cosmetic dermatologists -- the above are representative of the kind of work for which you should seek out a qualified cosmetic dermatologist.
How to Find a Cosmetic Dermatologist
There are plenty of websites designed to help you find a doctor in a specific field, for a specific procedure, and even within a certain range of your home. These sources are sometimes sketchy -- asking you to provide all sorts of personal information and in some cases charging you for the service -- but it is a good place to start when looking for a specialist in any field.
Since cosmetic dermatology is a "double specialty" (requiring knowledge of both dermatology and cosmetic surgery procedures) it may also be very easy to find them in yellow pages, generic web searches, or by asking friends in your area. Procedures like Botox, laser hair removal, and chemical peels are popular enough that someone you know is likely to have undergone the treatment and can advise you what doctor to seek out.
CosmeticDermatology.net offers an easy search feature right on their front page. You can search by zip code, specialty, procedure, or just a generic open-ended search for a cosmetic dermatologist. Unfortunately, though the website is a good source of info, you will have to provide information like your phone number, your reason for getting a procedure, etc just to get your search results. I was able to easily find half a dozen cosmetic dermatologists within fifteen miles of my home with this service, but for those of you who don't want to give out personal info on the Internet, there may be a better way.
DocShop.com requires less personal information (just your zip code, the procedure you're interested in, and any "additional information" you want to give) but seems to offer a smaller network of cosmetic dermatologists for potential patients to choose from.
AAD.org is the home for the American Academy of Dermatologists, and they feature a useful search engine that (due to the fact that this is the official website of the AAD) may be a bit more trustworthy. AAD.org promises never to sell your personal info or to contact you with spam. Also, the search I ran in my area came back with almost fifty results -- far more than either of the previous two websites.
Finding a cosmetic dermatologist is easy, partially because it is such a specialized field and partially because the field is popular and profitable for the doctor. Let's face it -- these doctors are making a good living correcting "mistakes" people find on their skin. Use this to your advantage -- shop around before settling on a doc.