What Is Medical Dermatology?

Medical dermatology is the branch of dermatology dedicated to diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases affecting the skin, hair, scalp, and nails.

Dermatologists manage both acute and chronic conditions while helping patients improve their long-term skin health.

Medical dermatology commonly treats:

• Acne
• Rosacea
• Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
• Psoriasis
• Seborrheic Dermatitis
• Contact Dermatitis
• Fungal Infections
• Bacterial Skin Infections
• Viral Skin Infections
• Warts
• Urticaria (Hives)
• Hyperpigmentation
• Hair Loss
• Nail Disorders
• Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)

Medical Dermatology Services

Depending on your condition, treatment may include:

• Prescription Medications
• Topical Creams and Ointments
• Oral Medications
• Injectable Therapies
• Cryotherapy
• Electrocautery
• Laser Therapy
• Phototherapy
• Skin Biopsy
• Allergy Evaluation
• Medical Skin Procedures

Every treatment plan is individualized based on your diagnosis, skin type, medical history, and lifestyle.

Conditions We Commonly Treat

Our dermatologists evaluate and manage:

Acne & Acne Scars

• Acne vulgaris
• Cystic acne
• Body acne
• Acne scars
• Post-inflammatory pigmentation

Inflammatory Skin Conditions

• Eczema
• Atopic dermatitis
• Contact dermatitis
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Psoriasis
• Rosacea

Pigmentation Disorders

• Melasma
• Hyperpigmentation
• Sun spots
• Freckles
• Vitiligo (evaluation and management)

Skin Infections

• Fungal infections
• Athlete's foot
• Ringworm
• Nail fungus
• Bacterial infections
• Viral infections
• Cold sores
• Molluscum contagiosum

Hair & Scalp Disorders

• Male pattern hair loss
• Female pattern hair loss
• Alopecia areata
• Telogen effluvium
• Dandruff
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Scalp psoriasis

Benign Skin Lesions

• Warts
• Skin tags
• Sebaceous cysts
• Corns
• Calluses

Benefits of Medical Dermatology Care

Medical dermatology offers:

• Accurate diagnosis
• Personalized treatment plans
• Evidence-based therapies
• Long-term disease management
• Prevention of complications
• Improved skin comfort
• Better quality of life
• Ongoing follow-up care

Medical Dermatology vs Cosmetic Dermatology

Medical Dermatology

Focused on:

• Diagnosing skin diseases
• Managing chronic conditions
• Treating infections
• Hair and nail disorders
• Prescription therapies
• Disease prevention

Cosmetic Dermatology

Focused on:

• Wrinkle reduction
• Skin rejuvenation
• Fillers
• Botox
• Laser resurfacing
• Skin tightening
• Anti-aging treatments

Many patients receive both medical and cosmetic dermatology care depending on their needs.

What Happens During Your Consultation?

Your appointment generally includes:

• Medical history review
• Full skin examination
• Hair and scalp evaluation (when indicated)
• Diagnosis
• Personalized treatment plan
• Prescription medications if needed
• Follow-up recommendations

Some patients may also undergo skin imaging, laboratory testing, or a skin biopsy when necessary.

Recovery After Treatment

Recovery depends on your diagnosis and treatment.

Many medical treatments require no downtime, while procedures such as cryotherapy, laser treatment, or skin biopsies may involve temporary redness, swelling, or mild discomfort.

Results Timeline

Improvement varies depending on the condition.

Some infections improve within days, while chronic conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and hair loss often require ongoing treatment over several months to achieve optimal control.

Regular follow-up appointments help monitor progress and adjust treatment when necessary.

Estimated Cost in Seoul

Treatment costs vary depending on:

• Medical diagnosis
• Procedures performed
• Prescription medications
• Laboratory testing
• Number of follow-up visits

A personalized treatment plan and cost estimate are provided after consultation.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Medical dermatology is suitable for individuals who:

• Have persistent skin problems
• Experience chronic rashes
• Have acne or rosacea
• Have hair or scalp disorders
• Have skin infections
• Have nail diseases
• Want an accurate dermatologic diagnosis

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between medical and cosmetic dermatology?

Medical dermatology focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases affecting the skin, hair, and nails, while cosmetic dermatology focuses on improving appearance through elective aesthetic procedures.

Do I need a dermatologist for chronic skin conditions?

Yes. Chronic conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and recurrent acne often require long-term management by a dermatologist to control symptoms and reduce flare-ups.

Can medical dermatologists treat hair loss?

Yes. Dermatologists diagnose the cause of hair loss and may recommend medications, PRP, scalp injections, laser therapy, or other treatments depending on the diagnosis.

Can medical dermatologists treat skin infections?

Yes. Dermatologists diagnose bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic skin infections and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Is there downtime?

Most medical dermatology consultations and treatments involve little or no downtime. Recovery depends on the procedure performed.

Can international patients receive medical dermatology treatment in Seoul?

Yes. Dermatology clinics in Hongdae and Seoul provide consultations, diagnostic evaluations, and personalized treatment plans for international patients.

When should I see a dermatologist?

You should schedule an evaluation if you have persistent acne, rashes, itching, unusual moles, hair loss, nail changes, skin infections, or any skin condition that does not improve with over-the-counter treatment.