A Lesson in the History of Dermatology
Our top New York dermatologists are happy to present you this interesting history lesson! Beauty regimes date back to thousands of years, with the Egyptians and Greeks being the experts when it came to skincare. They both mixed a plethora of ingredients to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, freckles and fine lines. They used sour milk, animal fat and salt to improve the appearance of their skin.
Some of their methods and techniques are still used today—though improvised.
However, it wasn’t until the nineteenth century that dermatology became an officially recognized practice.
The Practice of Dermatology in its Earlier Stages
Despite not being officially recognized as an official practice until the 19th century, there were several journals and works published as early as the 11th century.
This includes Avicenna’s “The Cannon of Medicine” (1025), Geronimo Mercuriali’s De Morbis Cutaneis (1572) and Francesco Bianchi’s Dermatologia (1799).
They are considered to be the most comprehensive textbooks regarding modern-day dermatology.
The Emergence of Dermatology as a Practice
In 1801, the first school of dermatology, Hôpital Saint-Louis in Paris, was established. By the mid 1800s, dermatologists who received training from specialized schools played a vital role in skin care and repair.
Dermatology was split into two categories: medical and cosmetic dermatology.
The Two Types of Dermatological Practices 
Medical dermatology involves the treatment of skin lesions, cancer, allergies and myriad of skin-related conditions.
Cosmetic dermatology, on the other hand, involves improving the appearance of the skin. Plastic surgeries, laser treatments and facial peels are part of cosmetic dermatology. Here is what you need to know before visiting one.
However, there are two types of cosmetic treatments: invasive and non-invasive.
Invasive treatments involve the use of surgical tools and anesthesia; non-invasive use laser treatments and skincare products to improve the appearance of the skin.
While laser treatments are considered part of modern-day dermatology, natural light has been used by the ancient Egyptians to treat a variety of skin-related problems. Sunlight played an important role in treating skin conditions in 19th century Europe.
Medical dermatology plays a vital role in today’s non-invasive treatments. It naturally improves the skin’s elasticity, rejuvenates the skin and reduces signs of ageing. Cosmetic dermatology is popular in East Asian countries—namely plastic surgery—but there are often times health complications associated with the procedures.
We are a dermatology clinic based in New York City. We specialize in non-invasive skincare treatments and treat myriad of skin-related conditions. If you are looking for a dermatologist in Manhattan, NY contact us today.
