5 Little-Known Facts About Cosmetic Dermatology
Your skin is your largest and most visible organ. You wouldn’t be who you are — to yourself nor to those around you — without it.
Because our skin is such an important part of our identity, we’re hyper-sensitive to even the smallest changes in its complexion, condition, or perceived health. That’s why dermatologists are so in demand.
When we talk about dermatology, we really should distinguish between what we might call “medical dermatology” — the treatment of diseases or dysfunctions of the skin, like melanoma and psoriasis — and cosmetic dermatology, which focuses on improving our skin’s aesthetic condition. The two fields overlap a bit, such as when a cosmetic dermatologist repairs a scar left by skin cancer surgery, but medical professionals generally specialize in one or the other. (And usually in narrower sub-disciplines thereof.)
c Here are some key facts to know about cosmetic dermatology specifically.
1. It’s Not Just for Dermatologists
Cosmetic dermatology is not only practiced by licensed, board-certified dermatologists. These professionals are in relatively short supply because they’re medical or osteopathic doctors who go through many years of training at great personal and financial expense.
So if you need straightforward cosmetic dermatology done, you’re more likely to work with someone who isn’t a medical doctor themselves. Don’t worry, they’re probably working under the direct supervision of a “proper” dermatologist. But they could instead be a:
- Registered nurse
- Nurse practitioner
- Physician’s assistant
- Dentist or oral surgeon
- Family doctor or internist
Family doctors, internists, dentists, and oral surgeons train for nearly as long (and in some cases longer) than dermatologists. So if you work with any of them — or with a nurse or PA supervised by one — you’ll be in good hands.
2. It Includes Injectable Treatments Like Botox® and Dermal Fillers
Cosmetic dermatology isn’t all about plastic surgery or noninvasive skin treatments. In fact, by volume, the most common cosmetic dermatology procedures are temporary injectable treatments like Botox (botulinum toxin) and dermal fillers. American patients receive millions of each type of treatment each year.
3. It Excludes Fat Removal and Body Sculpting Procedures
Fat removal and body sculpting procedures are often lumped in with cosmetic dermatology because they have visible and sometimes dramatic outward results. But in these treatments, the action takes place below the surface of the skin, in the layers of fat or soft tissue underpinning the epidermis. So it’s technically incorrect to call them “dermatology.”
4. It May Not Require General Anesthesia
In fact, most cosmetic dermatology procedures don’t require general anesthesia. The following types of procedures use local anesthesia only, if they use anesthesia at all:
- Botulinum toxin injections
- Dermal filler injections
- Thread lifts
- Chemical peels
- Laser therapy
- Tattoo removal
5. It’s Incredibly Popular With Patients
Finally, if you choose to pursue any cosmetic dermatology procedures, you’ll be in good company. Botox is the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedure on the planet, and hyaluronic acid filler injections aren’t far behind.
