When a man goes to the dermatologist

A few days ago I went to the dermatologist for a six-month checkup on some benign skin growths that had been frozen off.

Here's how the conversation went after the physician's assistant (PA) who had done the cryotherapy walked into the exam room.

PA: Hey, good to see you again. How are the growths looking that we froze off last time?

ME: I don't know. I try not to look at myself very closely. When I'm in the bathroom, I stand as far back from the mirror as I can, and then I blur my eyes when I have to look at my aging face.

PA: (after a pause, when she seems to be trying to decide whether I'm kidding or serious; in fact, I'm serious) OK, let's take a look...Excellent, you're looking good! They've healed up nicely.

ME: Thanks, that's nice to know.

Now, likely some women would have the same attitude toward their frozen-off skin growths as I did. But I suspect a typical conversation at the dermatologist's office with a female patient would start off more like this.

PA: Hey, good to see you again. How are the growths looking that we froze off last time?

WOMAN: Well, they're better. I'm glad you're taking a look at them, though. For the first week after you froze them off they were red and scaly. I had to use quite a bit of makeup to cover them up. After that, they steadily became less obvious. Yet I still had to put on some extra makeup over them. When I look closely at the spot on my right cheek, it seems slightly darker than the other one. What do you think? I've been worried about it.

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What I love about dermatology is providing a continuity of care,” Dr. Nosrati said. “You need a dermatologist your entire life, and we’re able to care for every member of your family. Not many physicians enjoy that privilege
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