Dermatology in Berlin

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 Berlin?

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 Berlin 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 Berlin

About Berlin

Berlin is the capital and the largest city of Germany and with over 3.7 million inhabitants; it is the second-most populous city of the European Union after London. It is an alpha city of culture, politics, media, and science. The metropolitan city is also a popular tourist destination, thanks to its rich history, vibrant culture, lively parties, delightful food, and incredible architecture.  

Today, Berlin is one of the most popular destinations for medical tourism. The number of medical tourists coming to the city increases each year. Most of them travel from Poland, the Netherlands, France, and the Middle East. Some of the more popular treatments are oncology, cardiology, dentistry, and even tummy tuck. Although the cost is considerably higher than the neighboring countries such as Hungary, medical tourists still come for high-quality treatment with cutting-edge technology. Thousands of medical tourists prefer Berlin for the following reason:

• A patient-focused health-care system with a wide range of treatment.
• Qualified doctors, surgeons, nurses, and other medical practitioners. 
• Hospitals equipped with modern technology.
• Higher quality treatments, care, and services.
• Attractive destination and environment, perfect for rejuvenating and recovery.

Popular Areas in Berlin

As a famous tourist destination, Berlin has numerous attractions to see and many things to do. Whether you want to indulge in its culture, eat its food, or have a non-stop party, there will always be something for you.

• Museum Island (Museumsinsel) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a unique group of five world-renowned museums and it is the perfect place for those who love history and culture. From Ancient Egyptians, Roman Antiquity, the civilizations of the ancient Greek, Christian, and Islamic arts, to 19th Century European Art is available to see in the museums. 
• Brandenburg Gate is Berlin’s most famous landmark. This 18th-century neoclassical monument used to symbolize divided Germany during the cold war since the Berlin Wall shut off access to the gate for both East and West Germans. Now, it has turned into a symbol of unity.
• Berlin Wall Memorial is located in the middle of the city where East and West were once divided. The memorial extends along 1.4 kilometers of the former border strip and contains the last piece of the Berlin Wall. The historical remnants and traces of borders are preserved on display so visitors can see and learn more about the history behind it. 
• Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) is the biggest church building in Berlin. The architecture and interior will leave visitors in awe. The architect, Julius Raschdorff, used the style of the Italian High Renaissance and Baroque elements. The interior is magnificent with marble columns and golden ornaments in abundance.
• Glass Dome of the Reichstag is an architectural masterpiece constructed on top of the rebuilt Reichstag building. The rooftop terrace and dome offer an outstanding view of the parliamentary and government district as well as Berlin’s skyline. There is also a restaurant on the rooftop.

Weather and Climate in Berlin 

Just like the rest of Germany, Berlin enjoys four distinct seasons, making it a year-round destination for tourists. Spring starts around March and ends in May. This season is characterized by the arrival of cherry blossoms and the increase of the temperature. The temperature is around 4.3 °C in early March and will get as warm as 19.4 °C in May.

Summer runs from June to August with an average temperature of 24 °C but can get as high as 30 °C in the hottest days. This season is the peak of tourism because people can enjoy outdoor activities, so prices can be a lot higher than usual.

The months of September and November are Autumn. The weather in this season is similar to summer, which is warm and pleasant. However, the temperature can drop significantly in late November. Tourists usually visit the city during autumn for the Oktoberfest.

Winter in the city can be freezing, cloudy, and wet. The temperature can plummet to -10 °C on the coldest days. The city is generally very festive during this season, thanks to the Christmas spirit. 

Getting Around in Berlin

Berlin has two main airports: Berlin Tegel Airport and Berlin Schönefeld Airport. The main international airport is the Berlin Tegel Airport located in the northwest. The airport serves domestic flights to other cities in Germany and international flights to almost every major city around the globe. Berlin Schönefeld Airport is the secondary airport that mainly serves budget airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair. It is also an international airport that operates domestic and international flights. To get to the city center from both airport, bus, train, taxi or car are available. 

To get around Berlin, there are various transportation modes to choose from. The main means of transport in the capital is the U-Bahn system, which comprises 9 metro lines and 173 stations. During peak hours, trains run every two to five minutes and every ten minutes in the evening and on Sundays. Along with the U-Bahn, the S-Bahn system is also one of the main means of transport. It has 15 lines serving 166 stations and has a longer average distance between station than the U-Bahn. 

Tourists can also ride the tram and the tram lines mostly operate in the eastern neighborhoods since the tram lines in the former West Berlin were replaced by bus and U-Bahn. The tram lines operate 24 hours a day in some areas. 

The bus in Berlin has around 151 lines running every 10 minutes for 24 hours. The buses also replace metro trains during closing hours. Taxis can be found easily enough around the city, with more than 7,000 taxicabs. The taxis can be identified by the beige or ivory color. The base fare is 3.90 EUR and tourists can hail the taxis from the street, by phone, or via an app. Other transportation such as Ferry, car sharing, and e-scooter is also available.

Tourist Visas in Berlin

The citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, the United States, and Switzerland can enter and stay in Berlin for up to 90 days. Since Germany is a member of the European Union, citizens from other European Union countries do not need to obtain a visa to enter. Citizens of other countries need a Schengen Visa. It is advisable to always check the requirements for Germany Visa Application before applying.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the euro (EUR). 1 USD is equivalent to 0.81 EUR.
2. Money & Payments: Tourists can find ATMs almost everywhere within the city. Although credit card acceptance is growing, remember that cash is king in the city. Therefore, it is best to always carry some cash. Note that it is considered rude to leave a tip on the table. You should tell the server the total amount you want to pay. For a good restaurant service, a 10% tip is acceptable. For taxis, tourists can tip 10%, rounding to a full euro.
3. Local Language: German is the official language. Most people in the city will speak English, in hotels, restaurants, and shops.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Over 60% of Berlin’s population has no religious affiliation, while 30% identified as Christian.
5. Public Holidays: As most of German, Berlin celebrates major Christian religious holidays such as Easter and Christmas.