Medical and cosmetic skincare is provided by practitioners with a wide range of qualifications and experience. Board Certified Dermatologists have the highest level of dermatologic qualification. They are medical doctors with dermatologic-specific training including four years of medical school, a one-year internship, and a three-year residency in dermatology, followed by a rigorous exam to obtain Board certification from the American Board of Dermatology. Also, Board Certified Dermatologists are subject to annual Continuing Medical Education requirements and periodic recertifications.

The difference can be important. There are more than 3,000 conditions of the skin, hair, and nails that can be difficult to identify, distinguish, and treat. Some conditions are harmless and self-resolving while others can be chronic or life-threatening. Dermatologic-specific training provides an advantage in properly diagnosing and treating skin issues, including early detection. Features that appear on the skin may be symptoms of internal medical issues and can be much more important to recognize. A medical doctor has the educational background to understand the relationships between the skin and internal organs, systems, and disease.