Skin. It’s the largest organ of the body and is vital to our existence. Not only does it cover and protect our entire body from bacteria, chemicals, UV rays and other external dangers, but it also sends signals to our brain all the time through nerve endings, helps regulate our temperature and keeps us hydrated.

Unfortunately, many of us take our skin for granted. According to the Cancer Council, at least 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. This is only one of the reasons specialised skin doctors – dermatologists - are important to the healthcare landscape. A dermatologist diagnoses and treats skin diseases that affect the skin, hair and nails.

Dermatology registrar, Samra, works at a private skin clinic in Newcastle. We chat to her and learn about the highs and lows of embarking on a career in dermatology and what she wishes everyone would know about their skin.

Q: What do you love most about your job as a dermatologist?

A: What I love most about my job is that I see results. Patients and I can see these results quite quickly and because you can see an improvement, this is also reflected in patient satisfaction which I really enjoy. I find it very rewarding to practice as a dermatologist and I like that it focuses on quality of life and preventative medicine.

Q: Why did you choose to specialise in dermatology?

A: I chose to specialise in dermatology because I strongly believe in improving the quality of life in someone and because it is a component of preventive medicine. I also chose it because it is family-friendly and a little more flexible in terms of hours and that was appealing to me. It is also an interesting speciality because of the broad range of diseases we see in patients, ranging from the elderly to the young. You can also focus on various dermatological procedures which I find really interesting and there are a lot of new technologies coming out such as lasers that can help improve skin issues.

Q: What do you like least about your job?

A: I don’t like that today, social media seems to have a huge impact on how people perceive what skin treatments look like. I think there are a lot of people who come in with preconceived ideas about what management they should receive just by looking at social media accounts. Many of these accounts are not actually run by dermatologists and they aren’t as informative as viewers think they are. I also think there is a lack of regulation in terms of what goes into over-the-counter skin products which can contribute to many of the skin conditions that I see.

Q: What advice do you have for others who are interested in heading down the path of dermatology?

A: I would definitely advise someone to try and get some clinical exposure in the field first before you start because dermatology is often very different to what junior doctors or medical students perceive it to be. It can be hard work, but it is certainly rewarding.

Q: Can you tell me about a time during your career that felt rewarding?

A: It’s hard to pinpoint one time. Every day there are rewarding interactions with people whose skin is getting better, or I’ve caught cancer early and prevented further issues for the patient.

Q: What is one thing you wish everyone knew about their skin and would implement daily?

A: Sunscreen! Sun care is so important and to photo protect properly at the right times! It doesn’t matter what you put on your skin if you don’t do this.