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. Florida has 783 practicing dermatologists. Broken out by city, dermatology doctor density in Palatka is 2, in Palm Bay is 3, in Palm Beach is 1, in Palm Beach Gardens is 21, in Palm City is 4, in Palm Coast is 4, in Palm Harbor is 13, in Panama City is 3, in Panama City Beach is 1, in Pembroke Pines is 12, in Pensacola is 16, in Pinellas Park is 3, in Plant City is 3, in Plantation is 12, in Pompano Beach is 8, in Ponce Inlet is 1, in Ponte Vedra is 2, in Ponte Vedra Beach is 6, in Port Charlotte is 3, in Port Orange is 4, in Port Richey is 10, in Port Saint Lucie is 4, and in Punta Gorda is 1.

Florida’s warm and humid subtropical climate makes it a winter destination for many. Population in 2000 was 15,982,378, according to census statistics. Tallahassee, located in the north panhandle area, is the state capital. Tourism is a major industry in Florida, with Cape Canaveral, Disney World, the Everglades National Park, Universal Studios, the Atlantic coast and the Gulf coast all destinations for visitors and residents. Year-round outdoor activities include camping, golf, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing and boating.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Florida has a population of 17,789,864. Of this population, 3,975,071 are under the age of 18 and 2,978,335 are at or above the age of 65.