Dermatologist

A dermatologist (skin doctor) is the medical specialist for skin, hair, nails and mucous membranes. Common reasons to consult are acne, eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections, warts, hair loss, sexually transmitted infections and above all skin cancer screening. In Israel, with strong sun exposure all year, regular mole checks are one of the most frequent reasons for a visit.

Not privately: you book directly. Through your kupat holim, a referral from your family doctor is usually required and the wait for a specialist can run to weeks. For a worrying lesion, a private visit gives a quick opinion; follow-up tests can then continue within your health fund.

Fees vary with the practitioner, the city and the procedure: a screening consultation, dermoscopy, a biopsy or a laser session are billed differently. On RofeBeClick, the consultation price is visible on the profile before you book, with no service fee. Cosmetic treatments (injections, laser, peels) are always paid out of pocket and are not reimbursed.

Supplementary plans of the health funds (Clalit Mushlam, Maccabi Zahav, Meuhedet Adif, Leumit Zahav) often reimburse part of a private specialist consultation under their own conditions: approved practitioners, yearly caps, prior referral. Cosmetic dermatology is never reimbursed. Check with your fund and keep the invoice.

A mole that changes in size, shape or colour, bleeds, itches or has irregular borders should be shown to a dermatologist promptly: these are the classic ABCDE warning signs that justify a dermoscopy examination. Professional bodies recommend regular full-skin checks for fair-skinned people, those with a family history of melanoma or heavy sun exposure, which covers a large part of the population in Israel.

Spoken languages appear on every RofeBeClick profile. The dermatology page lists practitioners by city, and each city page groups the dermatologists who practise there. Practitioners who are listed but not yet registered are flagged as such: their page lets you contact them, but not book online.

Some do, not all. Botox, hyaluronic acid fillers, vascular lasers and cosmetic dermatology are offered by part of the dermatologists, and also by doctors from other specialties. The practitioner's profile states their areas. For a medical skin problem (lesion, infection, chronic disease) choose a dermatologist; for a cosmetic procedure, check that the doctor performs it regularly.

Teledermatology exists and may be enough for a prescription renewal or simple follow-up, but skin cancer screening requires a direct dermoscopy examination. On RofeBeClick, the consultation mode (clinic, home visit, video) is shown on each profile when the practitioner offers it.