Dermatologist
You specialise in skin – the body's largest organ and a window into its overall health.
What this life looks like
Skin conditions are among the most common reasons people seek medical care across Africa – and among the most underserved. As a dermatologist you diagnose and treat conditions of the skin, hair, and nails. These range from common infections and inflammatory conditions such as eczema and psoriasis to skin cancers, autoimmune skin diseases, and the skin manifestations of systemic diseases like lupus and HIV. In Africa dermatology has particular significance. Skin conditions including fungal infections, scabies, leprosy, onchocerciasis, and the skin complications of HIV affect millions of people – yet dermatology is one of the most underdeveloped medical specialties on the continent. A dermatologist working in Africa sees a breadth and complexity of skin disease that is rarely encountered elsewhere. There is also a growing demand from urban populations for both medical and cosmetic dermatology services, creating a specialty with both profound social impact and significant commercial viability.
What she actually does
A Dermatologist diagnoses and treats skin, hair, and nail conditions through clinical examination, dermoscopy, and skin biopsy where needed. They manage chronic inflammatory skin conditions, diagnose and treat skin infections, excise skin cancers, perform cosmetic procedures including chemical peels and laser treatment, and consult for other specialties on the skin manifestations of systemic diseases. In Africa dermatologists also play a critical role in the diagnosis and management of neglected tropical diseases with skin manifestations.
Where you can work
| Sector | Places in Africa |
|---|---|
| Dermatology outpatient departments in hospitals | UKZN Dermatology Dept, Durban (South Africa), Lagos University Teaching Hospital Dermatology Unit (Nigeria), Kenyatta National Hospital Dermatology Clinic (Kenya), Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Skin Clinic (Ghana) |
| Private dermatology practices which can be highly viable in urban areas | Skin Renewal clinics (South Africa), DermCare Nigeria (Lagos), NovaDerm Kenya (Nairobi), Specialist Skin Clinic Accra (Ghana) |
| NGO programmes addressing neglected tropical skin diseases | International Foundation for Dermatology programmes across Africa, DAHW German Leprosy and TB Relief Association, Anesvad Foundation Buruli ulcer programmes in West Africa |
| Leprosy control programmes | Nigeria's National Leprosy and Tuberculosis Control Programme, Ethiopia Federal Ministry of Health Leprosy Control, ALERT Hospital (Ethiopia), The Leprosy Mission Africa |
| Academic dermatology departments at African medical schools | UKZN Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine (South Africa), University of Lagos College of Medicine, University of Nairobi Dept of Clinical Medicine and Therapeutics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Ghana) |
| Pharmaceutical companies focused on dermatological products for African skin types | L'Oréal Africa R&D partnerships, Beiersdorf Africa (NIVEA), Unilever Africa dermatology research, local manufacturers such as Trusting Hands (Nigeria) |
Why it matters in Africa
Infectious and inflammatory skin diseases are a major source of illness across Africa, particularly in children. Leprosy, though reduced, still occurs across the continent. Onchocerciasis causes severe skin disease and blindness. The skin complications of HIV are among the most common presentations in HIV clinics. Yet the number of dermatologists per population across Africa is extremely low – in many countries there is less than one dermatologist per million people.
Your pathway in
Biology and Chemistry at secondary school are most important. Then MBBS or MBChB over five to six years, followed by housemanship. Dermatology residency and fellowship through the West African College of Physicians, the Dermatology Society of South Africa, or equivalent body follows. Fellowship typically takes three to four years. Subspecialisation in paediatric dermatology, dermatopathology, or procedural dermatology can follow.
Skills you will need
Technical: Dermatological diagnosis, dermoscopy, skin biopsy and histopathology interpretation, procedural skills including excision and cryotherapy, phototherapy, and cosmetic procedures. Human: Strong visual pattern recognition for diagnosing conditions by appearance, communication with patients about conditions that may affect their appearance and self-confidence, cultural sensitivity around cosmetic concerns, and attention to detail. Digital tools: Teledermatology platforms which are particularly important in Africa for reaching patients without access to dermatologists, dermatoscopy and digital imaging tools, and AI-assisted skin condition diagnosis apps.
A woman in this field
Dr. Ncoza Dlova
South Africa
South African dermatologist, former Dean of the School of Clinical Medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and the first Black dermatologist to qualify from that institution. She is one of Africa's leading experts on dermatological conditions in skin of colour and has published extensively on hair disorders, hyperpigmentation, and skin infections — including co-discovering a gene linked to permanent hair loss in women of African descent, published in the New England Journal of Medicine. She is the first African honouree of the American Dermatology Association and a prominent voice on making dermatology research relevant to African patients.
Take your first step
Start developing your visual observation skills – dermatology is a highly visual specialty. Practice describing what you see in precise language. DermNet NZ is a freely accessible online dermatology resource with images and descriptions of thousands of skin conditions – explore it and see if you find it fascinating. Biology and Chemistry at school are your core subjects. If you or family members have any skin conditions, talk to a doctor about them – curiosity about skin health is a natural starting point for this career.