Dermatology in Santo Domingo

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 Santo Domingo?

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 Santo Domingo 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 Santo Domingo

About Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic and is the most modern and largest metropolis in the Caribbean. The city is the cultural, political, financial, industrial, and commercial center of the Dominican Republic. Founded by Bartholomew Columbus in 1496, Santo Domingo is the oldest styled European City in the Americas. The city has everything that will make any visit worthwhile, from large shopping malls, historical architecture, seaside resorts, to a vibrant nightlife.

Over the last several years, medical tourism in Santo Domingo has been growing steadily. The city contributed to the Dominican Republic’s medical tourism average income of US$265.0 million in 2018. The most popular procedures in Santo Domingo are cosmetic and plastic surgery, dental surgery, cardiology, and heart surgery. Santo Domingo has everything a medical tourist could ask for, including:

• Hospitals and wellness centers governed by international standards.
• The doctors and paramedical staff are well-qualified and studied in the best medical schools from the U.S. and Europe.
• Cost-effective medical treatments with modern technology.
• A wide range of medical treatments to choose from.
• Fast, immediate care without waiting lists.
• The ideal climate and environment for recovery.

Popular Areas in Santo Domingo

Located in the heart of the Caribbean, Santo Domingo has a rich historical and cultural heritage. The Colonial City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will amaze tourists with its beautiful architecture and rich history. The neighborhood consists of colonial buildings turned into shops, hotels, museums, and cafés. History fans can enjoy the oldest standing cathedral in the Western hemisphere: Catedral Primada de América.

Mercado Modelo is shopping heaven on Avenida Mella on the outskirts of Colonial City. Tourists will find an indoor maze of small shops offering local crafts, treats, and specialties.

Tourists who want to indulge in nature can go to Jardín Botánico Nacional de Santo Domingo as the gardens are filled with native plants and offer an excellent insight into the natural flora of Santo Domingo, the largest botanical gardens in the Caribbean. The botanical gardens are also home to hundreds of different kinds of orchids.

Santo Domingo has many wonderful beaches since the city’s waterside stretches along the Caribbean Sea. Tourists can go to Playa Najayo or Playa Juan Dolio for picturesque views or enjoy the sparkling blue water. The sunsets are particularly breathtaking.

Weather and Climate in Santo Domingo

The city enjoys a tropical climate that sees warm and humid weather all year long. The wet season (rainy season) starts from May to November, the average temperature on the wet season is around 22 - 31°C with the humidity slightly higher.

December to April is the best time to visit Santo Domingo since it is the dry season. The average temperature ranges between 19°C to 29°C. Showers may occur but they usually do not last long. Tourists should avoid traveling to Santo Domingo during Hurricane Season which runs from August to October.

Getting Around in Santo Domingo

There are two airports in Santo Domingo. The main airport is Las Américas International Airport (also known as Santo Domingo Airport), located Punta Caucedo and Boca Chica, 32km east of the city. This airport has international connections from North America, South America, and Central America to Europe. The airport serves many major airlines such as Delta, Emirates, and American Airlines. Las Américas International Airport also serves budget airlines such as JetBlue. La Isabela International Airport primarily serves domestic flights and some international flights to other Caribbean Islands. The airport is the major hub for Dominican airlines that operates small aircraft.

To get into the city from the airports, tourists can choose taxi, airport shuttle, public bus, shared van, or car rental. Traveling by taxi can get a bit more expensive although it is a good transportation option. The cost to Colonial City from Las Américas International Airport is around US$40. The cheaper option is to ride the public bus (Guagua), the buses depart to Parque Enriquillo in the city center and to Boca Chica.

Getting around in Santo Domingo is fairly easy. To get the most of Colonial City, walking is the best way since they offer plenty of pedestrian attractions, but walking along streets outside Colonial City can be quite challenging.

Taxis in Santo Domingo don’t use meters, tourists have to agree on the fare in advance. The standard fare is around RD$250. It is best not to take any unmarked taxi because it could be dangerous. Tourists usually need to call a dispatcher to have a taxi sent to their location, most businesses and hotels will gladly call a taxi for tourists and this is the safest option.

Tourists can take Públicos, minivans that follow a predetermined route but stops wherever someone flags them down. The fare usual fare is RD$25. Tourists can also take the Santo Domingo Metro, rides cost around RD$15, a contactless card can be purchased to use the metro.

Buses are also available from 6.30 am to 9.30 pm and cost around RD$25, the bus stops are marked with a sign and a word parade which means stop, the routes tend to follow major streets.

Tourists Visas in Santo Domingo

Dominic Republic exempts nationals from 107 countries including the US, Canada, most South American countries, the European Union, and several other countries from Asia and Africa from obtaining a tourist visa. A passport valid for at least six months is required to enter the country.

Visitors need to apply for a tourist card that can be obtained at the Dominican Consulates or directly upon arrival at the airports in the Dominican Republic. The tourist card costs US$10 and is valid for 30 days. Tourists who want to extend their visit will have to go to the offices of Direccion General de Migracion and pay for an extension.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The local currency in Santo Domingo is the Dominican Peso (RD$). US$ 1 is equivalent to RD$47. The notes are printed in a variety of colors although some colors are very similar to each other.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs can be found across Santo Domingo. The best and safest way to obtain Dominican pesos is by ATMs. Credit and debit cards (mostly Visa and MasterCard) are accepted in cities, but some business adds a surcharge for credit card purchases. Tipping is generally not expected as 10% to 20% is mostly added to the total bill. Tourists should tip tour guides.
3. Local Language: The Dominican Republic is a Multilanguage nation. However, Spanish is the official language. Other commonly spoken languages in Santo Domingo are Dominican Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Samana English. English is not widely spoken but there are English speaking staff and guides within the tourist areas.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Roman Catholic Christianity is the major religion in Santo Domingo. Other religions including Protestant Christianity, Judaism, and Buddhism are also freely practiced.
5. Public Holidays: Santo Domingo celebrates Christian holidays such as Good Friday and Christmas Day. The city hosts a carnival at the end of February and the beginning of March, the international book fair is in April, as well as a merengue festival in July.