A dermatologist is the medical expert for any significant problem with your skin, including diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin, hair and nails.

Dermatologists treat over 3,000 skin conditions, including acne, psoriasis, and skin cancer. They are trained to carry out skin grafts, laser treatments, the excision of lesions, and more.

It is important to know that you are visiting a licensed or certified dermatologist. Some practitioners in spas and beauty clinics call themselves dermatologists, but they do not have the correct accreditation.

A qualified dermatologist will be board-certified by the Australian College of Dermatologists (ACD). Our dermatologists are initially trained as doctors, undertaking six or more years of university study to gain their medical degree, then undertaking the ACD’s four-year degree to become a dermatologist.

The primary reason to go to a dermatologist, unless you have additional medical issues, is to get a clean bill of health, skin cancer-wise. Certain skin conditions often require specialist care, such as acne or eczema that isn’t responding to over-the-counter treatment.

Before you see our dermatologists, you will need to get a referral from your healthcare professional. They may also be able to give you an indication of your skin condition and recommend any blood tests to determine the cause of the issue.

If your skin condition tends to wax and wane, bringing in photos of your skin can help us get an accurate impression of your concerns. Making a list of any questions you have and medications you are currently taking are also a huge help getting the most out of your appointment.

A total body exam is mandatory once a year, every year - starting at age zero, but skin checks as concerns arise are equally important. The chances of restoring skin, nail, and hair health are much higher when you catch problems earlier rather than later.

Yes, you will need to get a referral from your doctor. Without a referral you may be unable to claim a rebate on your initial and subsequent consultation fees. Before the appointment, ask about fees and how much is covered by Medicare or your private health fund.

Appointments can be made by calling our friendly staff at 02 4227 4744 or emailing us at info@wollongongderm.com.au.

Your dermatologist will ask about your skin condition, including when it began, what makes it better or worse, any associated symptoms and treatments to date.

The dermatologist will then begin looking at the area of skin involved. They will usually examine the skin of the entire body to exclude other areas of involvement. They will also examine the mucous membranes – eyes and mouth particularly.

You need to bring the following with you:

• Your referral from your local doctor or medical clinic
• Your completed patient history form (this can also be completed in the waiting room)
• Your Medicare card/Private Health Insurance details
• Your Health Care Card (if applicable)
• All test results relevant to appointment
• Any photographs of your condition if it comes and goes

Please note it is important not to wear makeup if you are having a full skin check or you have a condition on your face. If you are coming straight from work we have the facilities to remove makeup and reapply if necessary.

At Wollongong Dermatology we work hard to keep our service accessible and endeavour to make our waiting time as short as possible. If you think you have an urgent problem please talk to your GP or contact our friendly staff at our skin clinic.

We do charge a cancellation fee for missed late cancellation and missed appointments as our doctors have considerable waiting lists. If you cancel in a timely manner we are then able to offer that appointment to another patient who may be waiting to see a Dermatologist sooner.

Fees for consultations, surgical procedures and treatments are determined by the treatments you choose to undertake. All fees are subject to change and variation, dependent on the complexity of treatment and complications encountered. Your dermatologist will keep you informed of all potential fees as they arise and you may ask for a financial estimate at any time.

Generally, the costs of seeing a dermatologist are not covered by your private health fund. However, Medicare covers some of the costs of your consultation.

We can process your Medicare rebate at the time of payment. This means is you’ll simply pay for the consultation on the day of the visit and then Medicare will deposit your rebate directly into your bank account within 24 - 48 hours.

While we don’t currently offer discounts for students, we do provide a discounted rate to Concession Card holders. The discount rate is approximately 75% of our normal fees. You will need to bring your pensioner concession card to your initial consultation. This discount does not apply to Health Care Cards or Commonwealth Seniors Health Cards.

Veterans and their widows or dependants who hold a DVA Gold Card will have their account sent directly to DVA and will not incur any additional charges.

Proper skin care is important because our skin is the largest barrier against infection that we have. Keeping our skin healthy and moist helps keep this barrier strong. When the skin gets dry or irritated by harsh soaps, cracks in the skin can occur.

Your daily habits have a big impact on what you see in the mirror. Two things that can drastically improve the condition of your skin is creating and sticking to a skin-care routine, and protecting yourself from UV rays.

For every individual skin type and skin concern, there is an ideal skincare regimen — one that helps the skin achieve its own ideal balance for a clear, radiant, youthful complexion. Our dermatologists can help you create a skincare regimen that is just right for you.

Our dermatologists recommend using a daily moisturizer with a built-in broad spectrum SPF of at least 30, every day.