Meet Washington DC Dermatologist, Dr. Agnes Ju Chang

Q: What led you to choose dermatology?
A: When I went to medical school, I wanted to find a specialty that would allow me to use my clinical skills to make a significant impact in the lives of people. What I love about dermatology is that it is a “visual” specialty that allows me to look at the skin and diagnosis the condition. There is nothing as gratifying as when the patients come back for their follow up after being treated by me and there is a visible improvement with their skin. I’m able to help improve the quality of life of people in a real and tangible way. The skin is amazing in that it is also a window to how the rest of the body is doing. I also love the fact that you can help people look their best. A little bit of Botox, fillers, and a chemical peel can take you a long way. I am happy when people say “wow” when they see their reflection after their treatment! love what I do and hopefully it shows!

Q: Is there a specific patient or a patient experience that has made an impact on you?
A: When I was a fourth-year medical student, I rotated through the oncology ward. There was a woman there receiving chemotherapy for her metastatic melanoma. She told me her story. She had a mole on the bottom of her foot that she had ignored for a long time. When it started to change, at the urging of her family, she went to see a dermatologist. By the time the biopsy showed melanoma, it had already spread to other organs. Her story made a big impact on me. At the time of that clinical rotation, I hadn’t even considered dermatology. It’s amazing that after all those years, I get to help my patients with melanoma prevention. I think about that lady from time to time and the deep impression she made on me.

Q: What would you do if you were not a dermatologist?
A: I never believed in the saying that if you put your mind to it, you can be anything. I mean, I would love to be a world famous ballet dancer, but I don’t think my body would move that way. Having said that, I think it would be really cool to be a motivational speaker and life coach where I would get to share my story and uplift the lives of others.

Q: What’s your favorite procedure to perform?
A: I don’t know if you would categorize this as a procedure, but I love performing a full body examination. It screens for skin cancer and I have an opportunity to educate my patients about their skin health. I have a lot of skin cancer patients that see me pretty regularly and I get to hear about their life and stories, which I enjoy tremendously. I get to establish amazing relationships with patients, and that’s awesome.

Q: What’s one thing people often neglect in their skin care regimen?
A: I think that the skin is a window to what is going on with the rest of the body. As a board-certified dermatologist, I am trained to diagnose and treat skin conditions. However, I think it is important to not neglect your general health and how it affects your skin. Nutrition and lifestyle are important in the treatment of certain skin conditions. For example, dairy and sugar can cause inflammation and trigger acne. Sure, I prescribe medications when necessary, but I also believe that you have to be accountable and responsible for your nutrition, habits, and lifestyle. I like to talk about the three “S’s”—sugar, stress, and sleep—with my patients and how they affect the skin. I also emphasize the importance of the partnership between myself and the patient to get their skin to look its best.

Dr. Agnes Chang is accepting new patients for cosmetic or medical dermatology services at Integrated Dermatology in Washington DC. Contact us to schedule an appointment.