Dermasurgery (short for dermatologic surgery) is surgery performed by a dermatologist. Dermasurgeons (dermatologic surgeons) are licensed medical doctors formally trained to practice this field. Training in dermasurgery is a major component of the dermatology residency. After becoming board certified by the American Board of Dermatology, these physicians may apply for fellowship status in the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, a professional organization dedicated to supporting, promoting, and educating these physicians who wish to subspecialize in dermasurgery.

Dermasurgeons treat skin cancer, benign skin growths, and congenital problems like port wine stains. They are also heavily involved in the ever advancing field of cosmetic surgey. They utilize lasers, traditional scalpel surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, photodynamic therapy, and a variety of topical and injectable agents in their treatment armamentarium. Dermasurgeons are pioneers in procedures such as laser surgery, dermal fillers including fat transfer and hyaluronic acid, liposuction, blepharoplasty (cosmetic eyelid surgery), and minimally-invasive facelift surgery (eg.,the S-lift).

Dermasurgeons have developed and promoted many new procedures, such as laser treatment of port wine stains and wrinkles, tumescent liposuction, as well as new surgical and reconstructive techniques for the management of challenging and recurrent skin cancers. Dermasurgeons are also experts at minimally invasive cosmetic procedures like nonablative laser rejuvenation, dermal fillers and botulinum injections. Some specially trained dermasurgeons practice Mohs cancer surgery, which is an effective method for the treatment of recurrent, indistinct or difficult skin cancers.

One important feature distinguishing dermasurgeons from other surgical specialties is that dermasurgeons generally operate in their office surgical suite under local anesthesia or minimum sedation, as opposed to using general anesthesia. Thus, procedures performed by dermasurgeons are safer since they avoid the risks of general anesthesia. This is cost-saving. This issue is important in liposuction. When performed under general anesthesia, there is a 1 in 5000 mortality rate as compared to no mortality or significant morbidity when performed with tumescent anesthesia (a type of local anesthesia invented by dermasurgeons two decades ago). Indeed, the development of tumescent anesthesia by dermasurgeons has been a significant development in improving the safety of cosmetic surgery.

Dermasurgeons support and promote the ethical standards of the American Medical Association and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery including that "physicians should practice a method of healing founded upon a scientific basis." "Physicians should not dispense or supply drugs, remedies or appliances unless it is manifestly in the best interest of their patients."

Dermasurgeons use a broad array of proven treatment options best suited for a variety of skin problems, whether benign, malignant or cosmetic in nature. It takes 12-14 years to become a dermasurgeon: 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, a 1 year medical or surgical internship, and a 3-4 year dermatology residency. Surgery