Dermatology in Germany

Dermatology is a branch of medicine that focuses on health issues affecting the skin, nails, hair, and mucous membrane. It is a specialty with both surgical and medical aspects. A dermatologist can address cosmetic issues, which can help to rejuvenate the appearance of the skin, nails, and hair. Being a dermatologist requires a great depth of clinical knowledge, including the variety of internal health problems that may cause skin symptoms. Dermatologists can treat over 3,000 conditions. Some of the most common are acne, dermatitis and eczema, hair loss, nail problems, fungal infections, warts, vitiligo, and skin cancer.

Dermatology has a number of departments and specialties, including:

• Cosmetic Dermatology – dermatologists have been the leaders in cosmetic surgery. Many dermatologists are trained on the use of fillers, botulinum toxin, and laser surgery. Some dermatologists also perform blepharoplasty, liposuction, and facelifts. However, most dermatologists limit their cosmetic practice to minimally invasive procedures.
• Dermatopathology – this field is a joint specialty of dermatology and pathology. It focuses on the study of cutaneous diseases at molecular and microscopic levels. Dermatopathology can make a definitive diagnosis of various skin diseases, including melanoma.
• Trichology – this is the study of the hair and the scalp. This field of dermatology deals with diseases such as hair loss, scalp changes, hypertrichosis, and hair abnormalities.
• Immunodermatology – this filed specializes in immune-mediated skin diseases, such as bullous pemphigoid and lupus.
• Pediatric Dermatology – pediatric dermatologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases in children, which include newborns and infants.

What does the Procedure Involve?

A range of medical and cosmetic procedures are used to manage issues affecting the skin, nails, and hair. Many skin conditions can be treated by medications and noninvasive procedures, while others may require more invasive approaches. The following are several dermatologic procedures:

• Cosmetic injections – cosmetic injections can temporarily address scarring, wrinkles, and reduced facial fullness. A dermatologist can inject botulinum toxic (Botox) or fillers, such as fat and collagen. The results may last for a few months before you need another injection.
• Chemical peels – this procedure is used to treat some types of acne, as well as sun-damaged skin. It can also treat other cosmetic complaints, such as lines under the eyes and age spots. During chemical peels, a chemical solution is applied to the skin. This chemical solution causes a layer of skin to peel off, revealing regenerated skin beneath it that is typically a lot smoother.
• Dermabrasion – this type of procedure uses a high-speed rotating brush to remove the top layer of the skin, which can help reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles and tattoos, scar tissue, and potentially precancerous areas of the skin.
• Cryotherapy – cryotherapy involves freezing skin lesions, usually with liquid nitrogen, to destroy the affected cells. It can be a quick treatment for a number of benign skin issues, such as warts.
• Hair removal or restoration – various methods can be used to address hair loss, such as hair transplants. On the other hand, dermatologists can use lasers to remove unwanted hair from the body.
• Excision of lesions – skin lesions may be cut away to prevent a disease from spreading, to improve symptoms, for cosmetic reasons, or to prevent reoccurring infection. Excision of lesions may be done under a local or general anesthetic.
• Laser surgery –can be used to treat a number of cosmetic problems or skin issues, such as warts, tumors, moles, scars, birthmarks, wrinkles, and unwanted tattoos.
• Tumescent liposuction – this procedure is used by dermatologists to remove fat. Large volumes of local anesthetic are injected into fatty tissue, then it is sucked from the body. Note that tumescent liposuction is performed to contour the body, not to treat obesity.
• Vein procedures – people with superficial leg veins, called spider veins, may want them removed. Several procedures can be done to remove them, but sclerotherapy is the most popular treatment. It involves injecting a special solution or a foam into the vein. The special solution and foam irritate the lining, causing the vein to become less noticeable or, in some cases, disappear completely.
• Skin grafts and flaps – missing skin can be restored using skin from other areas on the body. Dermatologists can also repair skin loss by making a flap of skin from a nearby area of the body. The flap of skin is then used to cover the damaged patch.
• Biopsies – a skin biopsy is usually needed to diagnose or rule out certain conditions.
• Mohs surgery – this procedure is a treatment for skin cancer. It involves removing layers of skin in order to get rid of cancerous cells. The removed skin layers are then examined under a microscope. Then, successive layers are removed until there are no more cancerous cells found in the skin.
• PUVA – Psoralen combined with ultraviolet radiation (PUVA) is a procedure to treat several skin diseases, such as vitiligo, dermatitis, and psoriasis. Psoralen is a drug that can make the skin more sensitive to radiation treatment.

How Long Should I Stay in Germany?

Depending on the type of procedure you have, you may be able to leave the hospital on the same day or stay for several days. For noninvasive treatments, such as chemical peels and cosmetic injections, you should be able to leave the hospital on the same day and fly home within a couple of days. For invasive procedures, particularly to treat serious medical conditions, such as cancer, you may need to stay in the hospital for several days, and stay in Germany for at least 10 to 14 days. Your surgeon and/or medical travel team will advise you on this matter.

What's the Recovery Time?

Recovery time will vary depending on the type of procedure you have, the reason why you have the procedure in the first place, and your general health. Your dermatologist will usually give you a detailed recovery timeline for each procedure. In general, recovery time for nonsurgical procedures is typically short and you should be able to resume your normal routine within a few days. For surgical procedures, it may take several weeks until you are allowed to return to your full daily activities.

What About Aftercare?

Your dermatologist will give you a set of instructions to care for yourself during the recovery period. The instructions will be different for each type of procedures, but they may include a diet plan, light exercises to follow, how to care for your surgical wounds or affected area, activities you can or cannot do, signs of complications to be aware of, and medication to take. It is important that you follow your dermatologist’s instructions closely in order to avoid complications and to obtain the best possible results.

Some cosmetic procedures may not be permanent, such as dermal fillers and Botox, so you will need to have regular treatments in order to maintain the results. For skin cancer treatment, you may need to attend follow-up checkups to ensure that cancer has not come back.

What's the Success Rate?

Experienced and skilled dermatologists will be able to deliver a high success rate and satisfactory results. However, every type of procedure carries some risk, which may include infection, swelling, bleeding, adverse reaction to anesthesia, and unsatisfactory results.

Are there Alternatives to Dermatology?

If you have any problems with your skin, going to a dermatologist is the only way to treat it. However, if the skin problem is caused by an underlying condition, your doctor or dermatologist will recommend you to see relevant doctors to treat it.

What Should You Expect Before and After the Procedure?

Before seeing a dermatologist, you may have a problem with your skin. You may not like the wrinkles on your face, or you may have a lesion that needs to be removed. After receiving treatment from a dermatologist, your skin problems should be addressed. You may be able to achieve your dream appearance, any disease you had before may be treated.

Dermatology in and around Germany

About Germany

The largest country in Central Europe, this European Union powerhouse is considered to have the best health care system in Europe. Medical Tourists tend to visit Germany for the quality of service rather than the price, with Dermatology procedures being a popular choice. Compared to neighboring Poland and Hungary, prices are considerably higher. With only two JCI accredited facilities, Germany relies more on its local accreditation bodies, including the German Institute for Standardisation, the Telemedicine for the Mobile Society (TEMOS) and the Cooperation for Quality and Transparency in Healthcare (KTQ-GmBH). Most doctors and even medical staff are fluent in English. Popular medical tourism destinations outside of the capital, Berlin, include Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt.

Popular Parts of Germany

With a population of roughly 83 million people, Germany is the second most populous state in Europe. The country is a mixture of rich history and advanced technology. You can pay your respect at WWII memorial and museums, enjoy its beautiful artistic nature, or indulge in its gastronomic delights.

• Berlin is Germany’s capital city. It is a vibrant city with diverse sights to see. Visit the glass dome of The Reichstag, take a walk through Brandenburg Gate, be inspired by Berlin Cathedral, or wander around a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Museumsinsel (Museum Island).
• Munich is home to a beautiful historic city center, futuristic drives, and outdoor fun. For a historical tour, tourists can travel to the Church of St. Peter, the city’s oldest parish church dating back six centuries. For a car lover, visit the BMW Museum to learn more about the history of BMW cars and motorcycles. For outdoor activity, tourists can surf at the Eisbach wave on the Isar river.
• Hamburg provides refreshing sea air. The city was labeled as “the gateway to the world” because it is a center of international trade. As the city revolves around water, tourists should stroll around the harbor, lay around beside the Elbe, or sail on the Outer Alster lake.
• Frankfurt am Main is the financial and business hotspot of Germany. Although it is packed with skyscrapers, the city still offers amazing architecture, a piece of history, and even a large green space in the city forest.
• Hanover calls itself as the “EXPO City” because it hosts several of the biggest exhibition in the world. The city also boasts an astonishing blend of modern and ancient. There are a number of museums and galleries, a large zoo, and innovative street art for tourists to explore.

Weather and Climate in Germany

The four distinct seasons make Germany a year-round destination for tourists. The summer starts in June and ends in August. The average temperature is 24 °C, sometimes even as high as 30 °C. People tend to enjoy outdoor activities during this season. This is also the most popular time to visit and peak travel season, so prices can be higher than usual.

Autumn is during the months of September and October. The weather is almost as warm and as pleasant as summer, but the temperature can drop in mid-November. This is also a popular time to visit the country, thanks to the famous Oktoberfest.

Winter can be freezing, with temperature as low as -10 °C. The country can be very festive during winter because of its Christmas spirit. Winter stars from December to February. If you wish to visit during this time, be sure to pack warm clothes.

Spring is characterized by the arrival of cherry blossoms around March and ends in May. The temperature can warm up really fast.

Getting around in Germany

Frankfurt Airport is the largest airport in Germany. The airport serves domestic flights as well as international flights. It connects the country with almost every country in the world. The airport is the hub for Condor and Lufthansa. It also serves budget airlines such as Ryanair, Euro wings, Wizz Air. Düsseldorf International Airport and Munich Airport also receive their shares of international flights.

Train, bus, and taxi are the best options to get to the city center from Frankfurt Airport. A trip by train usually costs 4.65 EUR and takes around 40 minutes. Train tickets need to be punched, otherwise, you can get a 50 EUR fine. The bus costs 4.35 EUR and takes around 30 minutes. Buses that take tourists to the city center are No. 61, 77, 72, 58, 62, N81 and N7. Taxis are not very cheap, it will cost around 25 EUR and will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes to the city center.

As the creator of the first highway system, Germany has some of the best public transportation in the world. The public transportation is integrated with one ticket that gives tourists access to buses, trams, U-Bahn trains, and S-Bahn trains. A one-way fare starts from 2.90 EUR. It is better to get a one-day unlimited pass for 7 EUR or three days for 17 EUR.

Train travel is very efficient and affordable. Germany rail system has both high-speed trains and regular trains. High-speed trains are very fast but much more expensive. It’s advised to book train tickets in advance. Buses are the most cost-effective way to get around Germany although it is not as efficient as the train. Buses here are comfortable with air-conditioning and rest stops.

Taxis in Germany are expensive. All taxis are metered and start with a base fare of around 3.70 EUR. There is no Uber in the country, but tourists can use the MyTaxi App. If you want to get around the city, the best way is to rent a bicycle. Most cities are equipped with well-marked bicycle lanes.

Tourist Visas in Germany

Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Israel, Japan, Poland, the United States, and Switzerland are granted visa-free entry and can stay up to 90 days. Germany is a member of the European Union, so citizens from the EU do not need to obtain a visa to enter.

Citizens of other countries need a Schengen Visa. The application for a Schengen Visa must be filed with the embassy of the country of your primary destination. It is best to always check the requirements for Germany Visa Application before applying.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: the local currency is the euro (EUR). 1 USD converts to 0.81 EUR.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are easily available across the country. The easiest way to obtain cash is to use an ATM linked to international networks. Credit cards are not widely accepted in Germany, so always make sure to carry some cash. Some hotels, shops, and restaurants will accept credit cards. Tipping 1 EUR to room cleaners or porters is common. Most people add 5% or 10% tip in restaurants and bars. Tourists can tip about 10% to taxi drivers.
3. Local Language: The official language is German. It is nice to know a little German to show respect. Many Germans in major cities and tourist areas will know a little English.
4. Local Culture and Religion: 57% of Germany’s population follows Christianity, making it the largest religion in the country. Islam is the second largest religion. Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism are also practiced.
5. Public Holidays: Germany celebrates Christian religious holidays. The country hosts several festivals such as Maibaumaufstellung every 1st May and Oktoberfest in October.