Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Dermatologist
What dermatologists actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a dermatologist?
Do full-body skin checks. From there, the day usually includes examine skin, hair and nails, screen for skin cancer, and perform biopsies. Most work regular weekday hours with little emergency call.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a dermatologist working full time.
- Do full-body skin checks.
- Biopsy a suspicious mole.
- Start a biologic for psoriasis.
- Treat teen acne.
- Perform Mohs surgery.
- Give a cosmetic injection.
- Review pathology reports.
Where dermatologists work
Dermatologists work mostly in outpatient clinics and surgical suites.
Hours and schedule
Most work regular weekday hours with little emergency call.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Examine skin, hair and nails
- Screen for skin cancer
- Perform biopsies
- Treat acne, eczema and psoriasis
- Remove skin cancers
- Prescribe medications and therapies
- Offer cosmetic procedures
Tools you’ll use every day
- Dermatoscope
- Biopsy instruments
- Cryotherapy
- Lasers
- Phototherapy units
- Electronic health records
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Very high pay
- Regular hours
- Visible results
- Mix of medicine and surgery
What’s hard
- Highly competitive residency
- Long training
- Busy patient volume
- Cosmetic business pressure
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I’m visual and detail-oriented
- I want regular hours
- I like quick procedures
- I want a high income
- I can compete for a residency
- I like helping people feel confident
Not sure? Take the free Dermatologist fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Use sterile technique for procedures
- Handle lasers safely
- Label specimens correctly
- Follow infection control