Dermatology in Saudi Arabia

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 Saudi Arabia?

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 Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia

Introduction

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and is home to the holy Muslim city of Mecca, all Muslims are required to make a pilgrimage to this city at least once during their life and non-Muslims are forbidden from the city. There are other wonders to be found here, from the Red Sand Dunes in Riyadh, Jeddah’s coral architecture, to the azure waters of the Red Sea. In the last few years, the Kingdom has developed a plan to encourage international patients to seek treatment at its medical centers. The healthcare sector in the country has constantly improved and developed and the country has all the attributes to have a successful medical tourism industry, such as ultra-modern hospitals that are well-equipped with cutting-edge technology, foreign-trained doctors and specialists, and a well-established private healthcare sector. 

Popular Cities and Regions in Saudi Arabia

The capital city is Riyadh, which is one of the wealthiest cities in the world. It offers amazing attractions for tourists, such as the Masmak Fortress, the National Museum, the Kingdom Center, the Sky Bridge, Riyadh Zoo, and the Antiquities Museum. Another popular city is Jeddah, which is called the Bride of the Red Sea. It’s a large metropolitan city with an incredible waterfront and beautiful old town. It’s the traditional gateway to Mecca, as well as the historic crossroads of traders and pilgrims. Most tourists visit this city to admire its World Heritage Red Sea architecture, explore its lively souq, relax in its laid-back coastline, and try its world-class cuisine. 

Transport in Saudi Arabia

King Fahd International Airport is the largest airport in Saudi Arabia, located in the city of Dammam. It serves flights to and from numerous cities in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Domestic flights are the best way to travel around this country. Buses, taxis, and car rental are widely available for travel inside the cities.

Visas in Saudi Arabia

Almost all nationalities need to have a visa to visit Saudi Arabia, except for citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and the UAE. eVisa or visa on arrival is available for holders of passports of 51 countries, including all EU countries, the US, the UK, and Japan. Most other countries need to obtain a visa prior to arrival.

Weather in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has two seasons, summer and winter. Summer (April – October). The weather is extremely hot and humid. The average temperatures range between 40oC to 45oC, but it can soar to 49oC. Winter, from November to March, brings mild temperatures, with an average of 20oC during the day and 10oC during the night.

Additional Info

1. Local Currency: Saudi riyal (SAR) is the currency. 1 USD is equivalent to 3.75 SAR.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are widespread and credit cards are widely accepted. There is no tipping culture.
3. Local Language:  Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken. 
4. Local Culture and Religion: Women do not need to wear abayas (a long black, robe-like dress) anymore, except at religious sites. However, both men and women have to wear modest clothing and refrain from showing too much skin. Islam is the state religion and the country’s law requires all citizens to be Muslim. Any non-Muslims who want to acquire Saudi Arabian nationality will have to convert to Islam. There are Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists in the country but all of them are foreign nationals. 
5. Public Holidays: The most celebrated public holidays in Saudi Arabia are Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, ad National Day.