What is FAAD?
FAAD stands for Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. A FAAD dermatologist has completed medical school, a year-long internship, and three years of residency training in dermatology.
Additionally, these dermatologists are board-certified in dermatology, having passed the rigorous board exams given by the American Board of Dermatology and the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology.
Importance of FAAD Dermatologists
At Valley Dermatology, all of our dermatologists are board-certified, and are dedicated to providing excellent care. Dermatologists are doctors who specialize in and treat more than 3,000 conditions that affect the skin, hair, and nails. Needless to say, they help with a wide variety of conditions and diseases. On any given day, they could treat anything from a birthmark, to melanoma, eczema, hair loss and more. Dermatologists also treat patients who want help with cosmetic concerns. This includes giving patients with aging skin a more youthful appearance, removing unwanted fat or hair, and diminishing scars due to acne or other causes.
What does it mean to be board-certified?
FAAD stands for Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and is a title given to dermatologists who are board-certified and have completed years of rigorous training. Becoming a board-certified dermatologist requires years of education minimum and 12,000 – 16,000 hours of patient care during training.
When you see the letters FAAD by a dermatologist’s name, you know you’re seeing a doctor who:
Is board certified
Has the most rigorous medical education and training in dermatology
Keeps up with medical advancements
Is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology
Benefits of seeing an FAAD
There are ways that a board-certified dermatologist can help you that other skin professionals can’t. Here are some things they can do:
Detect underlying conditions: A FAAD can tell if a cosmetic concern is purely cosmetic, or if there are any underlying medical conditions attached to it. They understand the interaction between the skin and the rest of the body. A rash could actually be hives, scabies, or a skin reaction called contact dermatitis. A pimple that won’t go away could be a skin cancer.
Know exactly how your body works: A FAAD will know virtually all there is to know about your hair, skin, and nails. This way, they can thoroughly examine your concern and catch anything that is important. They know the skin and the anatomy of the nerves and muscles that lie beneath the skin.
Give the best possible cosmetic treatment: If you are going to a dermatologist for a cosmetic skin procedure, a FAAD is your best bet, as they have advanced knowledge. This expertise helps them choose the best cosmetic approach for each patient, which helps to avoid issues with cosmetic treatments and correct an issue quickly if it happens.
Treat anyone: While the scope of who other professionals can see may be limited, a FAAD can treat anyone. Dermatologists treat patients of all ages, from newborns to people who are more than 100 years old.
FAADs at Valley Dermatology
We have a FAAD at Valley Dermatology, Dr. Benjamin B. Jones. He completed his undergrad at Brigham Young University and earned his medical degree from the University of Utah School of Medicine. He is board certified in medical and surgical dermatology from the American Board of Dermatology, a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), and of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). He serves alongside Dr. Kirk Ecklund, M.D., our head dermatologist.
We also have two physician assistants on staff. Physician Assistants are healthcare providers who are educated at medical schools, in the medical model.
Dr. Ecklund and Dr. Jones require the following credentials (which set them apart from someone who simply claims to specialize in skin care):
4 years of college
4 years of medical school
4 years of residency
Recertification every 10 years
