Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram was inaugurated in 1951. Department of Dermatology was established in 1954. Professor (Dr.) B.M. Ambadi Bhaskara Menon became the first Head of the Department, and retired in 1968. The prestigious annual Ambadi Oration is named in his honour.
He was succeeded by Prof. (Dr.) C. Gangadharan, who was the key founding leader of IADVL, Kerala. In 1983, Prof. (Dr.)B.K. Hareendran Nair became the next Head of the Department. The esteemed Dr. B. K. Hareendran Nair award for the best original research paper by young dermatologist is named in his honour.
The Letter of Permission (LOP) for starting postgraduate training was obtained in 1977. The Dermatology Department started postgraduate training (MD) in 1978 with two PG seats. Currently there are 6 postgraduate seats, from 2017 onwards.
The first Cosmetology clinic and theater in Kerala, was started in Department of Dermatology, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, by Prof. (Dr.)K. Yogiraj, and Dr. T. V. Gopalakrishnan (HoD) in 1998.