What’s the Difference Between a Dermatologist and a Beautician?

Both of these professionals work with the skin, but there are some striking differences between the two.

A beautician is, as the name implies, concerned with the beauty or cosmetic appearance of the skin. They offer minor treatments to the skin: easing blackheads, applying light chemical peels and, using other products to temporarily improve the appearance of their subject’s skin, by treating the surface of the skin. The products used by a beautician will almost always be available to buy from pharmacies and supermarkets as over-the-counter products. The use of these products is seldom restricted. Beauticians are trained over a matter of months or weeks, and hold diplomas in beauty therapies. They may, if concerned, refer their clients to a dermatology specialist.

A dermatologist, on the other hand, is a medical professional. Dermatology is a branch of medicine which is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders. Dermatologists work to understand the root cause of skin blemishes, lesions and sores which can be anything from viruses to vitamin deficiencies and everything in between, offering treatments that can be topical or internal medication, many of which need to be prescribed and should not be used without being prescribed by a medical professional – such as a dermatologist. Dermatologists are highly trained professionals with medical degrees and are often consulted through referrals from the beauty industry or from general practitioners of medicine who cannot diagnose the skin ailment in question.