Dermatologist or Esthetician?

[Labryan96]

Hey everyone! 

I’m really wanting to see either of the above professions for a good clear analysis of my skin. 
I was originally going to look for a dermatologist but either have to wait 6 months or longer through our provincial health care program as we have a shortage of doctors or be willing to pay $300+ for a visit... no thanks 

do you think I could get the same/ or similar information from an esthetician- Theres way more of these around. 

Gracias! 

[niki172]

@Labryan96 which way you go is going to have to be what you're really looking for. Are you looking for answers for say sun damage or hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, or issues with acne? If that's the case a dermatologist is your best bet as they have more tools/products/medications at their fingertips to help you with your issues. If you're just looking to say see about getting your pores looked at, getting microdermabrasion, or even dermaplaning then a good (and I emphasize on the good part) esthetician will be able to help you. A good esthetician can help give you an idea about your skin, but a dermatologist is going to be able to give you a complete picture. I like to use this analogy: if you just want your car washed and waxed then a esthetician is the way to go. If your car needs body work then you need to go to the dermatologist.

If you do go the esthetician route please do your due diligence and look at what credentials they have, look at Google or Yelp reviews, check out the BBB etc. You only have one face and you don't want to go to someone that tries to do something that leaves you with a chemical burn or worse. Good luck!

[Labryan96]

@niki172 @WinglessOne Thank you both, this is kinda what I figured. 
I’m not really looking to have any procedures done or be given products but more or less want to confirm what I think of my skin and her advice on the right ingredients I should be adding into my skin care routine. 

I do YT videos on skincare (I make it clear I’m just a fan and have done some research but to always research for yourself and speak with a dermatologist if you have concerns) so I also wanna confirm some of the information that I’ve read in studies and such prior to sharing it. Gotta make sure I’m not fake news LOL 

[WinglessOne]

No problem, @Labryan96 ! I'm glad you advise your viewers to do their own research and talk with derms, and I wish more "skin care experts" on youtube (who are not derms or chemists) would do the same. Plus, patients should ask their doctors (derms or otherwise) questions anyway, while they've got the attention of a medical expert who's analyzed and diagnosed their skin. Gotta get your money's worth from doctors! And many docs say they wish patients would ask more questions. 

I also do a lot of reading, study, and research of skincare. Since I don't have a chem or medical background, I like to corroborate what I've learned (or think I've learned) with medical or chemical experts in the field. So I try to ask derms (usually mine) or chemists instead of estheticians. Of course, some estheticians might have a scientific background in something like microbiology that helps them interpret studies, so they'd be another resource. 

Whoever you're able to see, I hope you get the answers and confirmation you're after! 

[WinglessOne]

@Labryan96  In the US (and I assume Canada, but I could be wrong about that), estheticians cannot diagnose skin issues or prescribe medications/procedures. Only a doctor, like a dermatologist, can do that. That's because estheticians aren't required to go through medical school like derms are, let alone complete a residency. 

An esthetician can take stock of the look of your skin and recommend skincare routines, plus perform various beauty-related treatments. While derms focus on the medical health of your skin, estheticians focus on the look and feel of your skin. 

If you want a medical health diagnosis of your skin, see a derm. If you just want help making your skin look and feel better, you can see an esthetician—though a derm would go deeper into the medical reasons behind the look and feel of your skin.