Dermatology is the study of disorders of the skin. A dermatologist is a physician who diagnoses and treats diseases of the skin. This specialist also diagnoses and treats problems of the skin, mouth, external genitalia, and some sexually transmitted diseases. A dermatologist is knowledgeable regarding skin cancers, moles, tumors of the skin, allergic reactions to chemicals or other substances, and changes of the skin associated with aging.

Dermatologists also treat cosmetic disorders of the skin such as hair loss and scars, internal disorders and diseases that affect the skin, and are qualified to perform standard surgical techniques used in the field of dermatology.

Physicians in this specialty treat patients suffering from numerous diseases and illnesses, but some of the most common are melanoma, moles / warts, tattoo removal, acne scarring, skin cancer, skin rash, psoriasis, lice, scabies, rosacea, boil, cysts, lesions, eczema, dandruff, canker sore, baldness, basal cell carcinoma, genital wart, and mycosis.

Once properly diagnosed, practitioners can perform numerous procedures on patients including facial peels, burn care, liposuction, laser surgery, botulinum toxin (botox) injections, photodynamic therapy (pdt), blepharoplasty, sclerotherapy, cryosurgery, uvb phototherapy, skin cancer surgery, mohs' micrographic surgery, electrosurgery, and minimally-invasive facelift surgery (s-lift).

To diagnose patients with possible illnesses and diseases, specialists will often perform one of many tests including culture, x-ray, biopsy, patch test, physical examination, wood's light, and dermatoscopic exam.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Colorado has 173 practicing dermatologists. Broken out by city, dermatology doctor density in Alamosa is 1, in Arvada is 1, in Aspen is 3, in Aurora is 44, in Boulder is 9, in Brighton is 2, in Canon City is 1, in Castle Rock is 1, in Centennial is 15, in Colorado Springs is 17, in Craig is 1, in Denver is 52, in Durango is 4, in Edwards is 1, in Englewood is 23, in Evergreen is 10, in Firestone is 1, in Fort Collins is 4, in Frederick is 1, in Frisco is 7, in Golden is 2, in Grand Junction is 4, in Greeley is 3, in Greenwood Village is 3, in Gunnison is 1, in Highlands Ranch is 2, in Lafayette is 5, in Lakewood is 8, in Littleton is 12, in Lone Tree is 1, in Longmont is 10, in Louisville is 6, in Loveland is 4, in Montrose is 2, in Niwot is 1, in Parker is 6, in Pueblo is 4, in Salida is 1, in Steamboat Springs is 2, in Sterling is 1, in Thornton is 2, in Westminster is 4, in Wheat Ridge is 7, and in Yuma is 1.

Colorado is the Centennial state; having won statehood in 1876. Its capital is Denver, called the “Mile High City,” because its altitude at the state capitol steps is 5,280 feet. Colorado’s population is 4,653,023, and over half the state’s population is in the Denver metro area. Known for its Rocky Mountains and abundant outdoor sports opportunities, such as skiing, hiking, fishing and hunting, Colorado also offers tourists Pike’s Peak, the Royal Gorge, and the Red Rocks outdoor amphitheater. Denver is home to an active theater culture, a world-class symphony, and many sports activities. You can visit a gold mine, tour the state capitol building, climb a mountain, or relax in some therapeutic natural hot springs.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Colorado has a population of 4,665,177. Of this population, 1,140,002 are under the age of 18 and 462,190 are at or above the age of 65.