Dermatology in Taipei

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 Taipei?

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 Taipei 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 Taipei

About Taipei

Taipei City is the capital and one of the special municipalities of Taiwan. It is located in the northern part of the island in a basin between the Central Mountains and the Yangming Mountains. Characterized by friendly people and safe streets, this city is one of the most fascinating places to visit. It has an amazing history, delicious food, and a blend of Chinese culture with a fusion of Japanese, American, and Southeast Asian influences. While most visitors normally visit the city to indulge in its culture and go sightseeing, more and more people are traveling here to have medical treatment, due to the high-quality medical standards, professional teams, high-tech medical equipment, and reasonable prices. 

Popular Parts of Taipei

Zhongshan and Datong are two of the most popular parts of Taipei. Zhongshan was once the financial and international business center of the city, and today, it still has plenty of hotels and eateries. Visitors can also find numerous excellent museums, Taipei Expo Park, and Taipei’s version of the London Eye called Miramar. Datong is one of the oldest parts of the city. It is known to be home to Taipei’s finest temples, such as the Confucius Temple, Bao’an Temple, and Xiahai City God Temple. Those who love shopping should go to Da’an, an important commercial and residential area in the city. It houses some of the city’s classiest shopping areas, as well as the most sophisticated bars and a beautiful park. Another popular area is Shilin, which is where the National Palace Museum is located.

Transport in Taipei

The primary international airport in Taipei is the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. It connects the city with various major cities around the globe, such as New York, Frankfurt, Tokyo, and Paris. Some budget airlines are operating from this airport, including AirAsia and Eastar Jet. To journey around, Taipei there is a very efficient, safe, and clean Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, which is called Metro Taipei. It has an extensive network and will get you to numerous areas around the city. Buses and taxis are also available. Buses are efficient and affordable, while taxis are the most flexible mode of transport.    

Visas in Taipei

Citizens of 66 countries, including all EU countries, Australia, and the US, do not need a visa to visit Taipei for up to 90 days. Visa on arrival is available for nationals of Turkey. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also provides an eVisa program for several countries, including the UAE and India.

Weather in Taipei

Summer (June to August) can be extremely hot and humid, with an average temperature of 27°C to 30°C. It is also the wet season and typhoons are a real possibility, rain decreases, and the temperature drops during autumn. Winter (December to February) is cold and dry, while spring is pleasant.  

Additional Info

1. Local Currency: The New Taiwanese Dollar (TWD) is the local currency and 1 USD is worth about 30 TWD.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are available in many parts of the city. Credit cards are accepted in hotels and upscale restaurants. It would be wise to always carry some cash. Tipping is not mandatory.
3. Local Language: Mandarin Chinese is the official language and many people can speak English well. 
4. Local Culture and Religion: Buddhism and Taoism are the biggest religions, followed by Christianity, Yiguandao, and Tiandism. 
5. Public Holidays: Chinese New Year is the most important public holiday, which is celebrated for a week during February.