How to Find a Dermatologist Near Your College

When you go off to college, you may be leaving many support resources behind. As you’re trying to build your network at college, don’t forget to include a dermatologist. According to Dr. Gail Goldstein of U.S. Dermatology Partners Annapolis, “Many young adults who are away from home for the first time find themselves neglecting some of their regular routines and skipping necessary self-care, including skincare. Finding a dermatologist near your college can make it easier to stick with your skincare routine and manage chronic skin conditions like acne and eczema.” In this blog, Dr. Goldstein walks through the benefits of finding a dermatologist near your college and provide tips for choosing the best dermatologist.

Why College Students Need a Local Dermatologist

According to Dr. Goldstein, “Parties and fun are what most people associate with college years, but stress and anxiety may be just as common during this time of transition. Stress and anxiety can trigger flareups in chronic skin conditions, cause hives, and lead to a range of other skin health concerns. Young adults at college are more likely to eat unhealthy foods, drink alcohol, fail to drink enough water, and generally not take care of themselves. Combine this with a chronic skin condition like acne, eczema, rosacea, or psoriasis, and young people may find themselves really struggling with skin health during college. If you’ve struggled with acne or other skin health concerns in the past or you want to boost your skin’s health or improve appearance, it’s important to find a dermatologist in college towns.”

Steps to Find a Dermatologist Near Your College

As you get started searching for a dermatologist, take the following steps:

Start online – do a quick search for “dermatologist near me,” and you’ll likely find numerous options. When the results populate, take a closer look at the dermatology practices closest to your school. An even better option than a general search is using an insurance provider website or medical search database like MediFind or Healthgrades. These search tools are designed specifically to connect individuals with medical professionals. One of the best options is to use the American Academy of Dermatology’s “Find a Dermatologist” tool.
Explore on campus options – many college campuses have their own medical services, including dermatology. Check with any on campus medical clinics to see if there is a college dermatologist accepting patients.
Get advice – ask locals, other students, or professors if they can recommend a dermatologist. This can provide insight into a dermatologist’s approach that can’t be found online.
Get a referral – your primary care physician or hometown dermatologist can provide a referral or recommendation for a dermatology office in your college town.

Tips for Choosing the Right Dermatologist

Finding the right dermatologist, according to Dr. Goldstein, “Is easier than ever. The internet gives you access to an abundance of information about any potential dermatologist you’d like to work with. A quick search will give you most of the important details about a dermatologist. The one thing missing is the personal touch. You won’t know for certain that a dermatologist is a good fit until you meet them.” When you’re choosing a potential dermatologist, Dr. Goldstein recommends:

Check credentials – ensure you find a dermatologist who is board-certified. This certification ensures dermatologists have the necessary training to provide the best possible treatment.
Learn about their experience – dermatologists all receive well-rounded training in skin health, but most focus their practice on providing specific procedures or managing certain skin conditions. Look for a dermatologist who has experience in specific skin health conditions or dermatologic treatments you’re most interested in.
Read reviews – online reviews are often a treasure trove of anecdotes from patients who work with dermatologists. While reviews tend to be skewed toward just the very good and very bad responses, they will give you an idea of how the dermatologist engages with their patients.
Consider convenience – the office location, hours of operation, and other convenience factors should be considered as you’re exploring dermatology practices.
Schedule a consultation – meeting a dermatologist is the best way to know for sure that they’re a good fit. You can ask them questions and ensure you feel comfortable working with them.

Additional Recommendations for Maintaining Skin Health in College

In addition to working with a dermatologist to manage skin health concerns, develop a personalized skincare routine, and work to prevent skin damage, there are some additional steps college students can take to achieve optimal skin health, including:

Maintain a consistent skincare routine – even the best skincare routine won’t be effective if you’re not consistent. When you develop a skincare routine, stick with it. At the very least, you should cleanse skin in the morning and evening.
Manage stress – stress levels are high for college students, but increased stress means an increase in cortisol production. This hormone causes inflammation, triggers flareups in common skin conditions, and creates an uneven skin tone and texture. Reducing or managing stress often improves the appearance and health of skin.
Lead a healthy lifestyle – many college students find themselves eating too much, drinking alcohol to excess, not getting enough sleep, and generally leading less healthy lives than they did at home. By taking steps to improve lifestyle by eating a nutrient-rich diet, drinking more water, limiting alcohol intake, getting plenty of sleep, and exercising, skin health may improve.

Keep Skin Health During Your College Years

Whether you’re a college student trying to manage chronic skin conditions or looking to keep skin healthy, Dr. Goldstein recommends, “Scheduling regular dermatology appointments, even during the busy college years, ensures you are proactive in preventing serious skin health concerns and managing common skin conditions. While it may seem simple to schedule dermatology visits on breaks from school, many college students find their breaks quickly filling up with plans. This leads them to skip dermatology visits, leading to poorly managed skin conditions and other skin health concerns. Making appointments with a local dermatologist near your college ensures you receive consistent skincare through your college years.”

Schedule a Consultation

If there’s a U.S. Dermatology Partners office near your college, we would love to hear from you. Our skilled team of dermatologists and skin health professionals provide a range of skincare treatments, and they partner with patients to develop and maintain effective skincare routines at every stage of life. When you’re ready to learn more, take a few moments to complete our online scheduling request form. A local dermatology team member will be in touch soon to finalize the details of your consultation visit.