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Cosmetic dermatology combines medical expertise with aesthetic treatments, allowing individuals to enhance their appearance in clinical settings. In the past decade, cosmetic dermatology has been developing rapidly, and it offers everything from modest tweaks to transformative procedures. The demand for cosmetic dermatology treatments has increased as more and more patients strive to enhance their appearance, and as a result, there is also much more interest in cosmetic dermatology training.
Introduction
The ability to assess and treat cosmetic skin conditions is the main role of a cosmetic dermatologist. Therefore, medical procedures administered by these experts are usually driven by aesthetic reasons. Cosmetic dermatologists use their clinical skills gained in cosmetic dermatology training to help patients modify the appearance of their skin, hair, etc.
If you are interested in healthcare and aesthetics, you may see cosmetic dermatology as a fulfilling career path. In this article, we will help you understand the role of this type of medical practitioner and how to become one through aesthetic medicine training classes.
What is Cosmetic Dermatology?
Cosmetic dermatology is a branch of the medical profession that specialises in skin procedures that are usually conducted for cosmetic reasons. For instance, those are neurotoxins, anti-ageing treatments, collagen injections, and many others.
Like all other healthcare professionals, cosmetic dermatologists need to assess each patient’s medical history and consider their needs before crafting a personalized treatment plan.
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What Treatments Does it Include?
Cosmetic dermatology includes a broad selection of services, but of course, some techniques are more popular than others.
Here are the techniques that are in high demand among today’s patients, and as such, they represent some of the most profitable learning opportunities in this field of dermatology:
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are injectable treatments designed to boost the skin’s youthful appearance. A carefully-formulated substance is injected into lines, wrinkles, or other parts of the face and the volumising effect is almost immediate. There are several types of fillers, including hyaluronic acid fillers, collagen fillers, and synthetic wrinkle fillers. At HubMed Ed, future practitioners can dive deeper into the science of dermal fillers by joining courses such as Volumetric Facial Contouring & Tear Trough Correction in a Young Female Patient and Natural Lips: Injection Techniques for Enhancing Young Female Patients’ Lips.
Botox Injections
The injection of botulinum toxin into the skin also minimises the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The substance inhibits the release of acetylcholine, which affects the contraction of facial muscles. Individuals interested in mastering the use of botox injections usually show interest in HubMed Ed’s advanced courses such as The Complications of Neurotoxins.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Therapy
In this procedure, light beams of different wavelengths are applied to the skin to enhance collagen production. The treatment is useful for the correction of wrinkles, sunspots, small moles, expression lines, and small vascular spiders.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal relies on the use of a concentrated laser to damage hair follicles in order to delay future hair growth. However, it does not cause permanent hair removal.
Medical Microneedling
Microneedling is a procedure where rows of small needles are passed on the skin to enhance skin renewal and stimulate collagen production. It is used to help hair regrowth, acne treatment, and skin rejuvenation.
Cosmetic Cryotherapy
Proper use of liquid nitrogen can use its extremely cold temperatures to destroy skin lesions. Cosmetic dermatologists use this technique to remove keloids, benign masses, and pigmented lesions such as moles.
Non-Invasive Fat Removal
This treatment is focused on the removal of stubborn fat. The practitioners use heat, cold, injections, or ultrasound waves to permanently remove targeted fat cells.
Exfoliating Treatments
The goal of exfoliating treatment is to remove dead skin cells that tend to build up on the surface of the skin and cause further problems. Commonly used exfoliating treatments are:
- Physical exfoliation
- Microdermabrasion
- Chemical peels
- Laser skin treatment
The Difference Between Cosmetic and Medical Dermatology
Dermatology branches out in two different directions: cosmetic and medical. While cosmetic dermatology deals with treatments that enhance patients’ looks, medical dermatology is focused on treating medical conditions that affect the skin.
However, there are some medical conditions that can benefit from cosmetic treatments. But it is important to know that only a medical skin professional is qualified to recommend cosmetic treatments for the purpose of treating a clinical condition. Also, there are certain treatments that are seen as cosmetic, but they can only be carried out by properly trained doctors. Those include all body-invasive methods such as plastic surgery.
Education Required for a Career in Cosmetic Dermatology
Becoming a cosmetic dermatologist is a path that requires different qualifications and levels of education. First, you need a bachelor’s degree, and although it can be earned in a range of subjects, it is best if it is linked to medicine. For example, many individuals interested in pursuing aesthetic medical training have degrees in chemistry, biology, physics, or biomedical science.
After obtaining a bachelor’s degree, you can apply for medical school that will give you the title of M.D. (Doctor of Medicine). After that, medical students interested in the field usually begin to specialise in dermatology during their residency. Once you are qualified to do cosmetic dermatology, you can perfect your skills with professional courses designed to give you a detailed overview of specific treatments.
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The Topics Covered in Cosmetic Dermatology Training
If you decide to join some of the most detailed medical aesthetic courses out there, you will get a chance to learn both about the foundations and recent news related to the cosmetic procedures you are interested in. The courses offering in-depth education cover topics such as aging, threads, cosmeceuticals, neurotoxins, lasers, injectables, and skin-tightening devices, as well as all the ways you can spot and manage sudden complications.
Of course, some training materials are focused on a single treatment or a group of similar techniques. However, the key topics you can explore are:
- Anti-aging treatments for cheeks, temples, and tear troughs
- Skin tightening techniques
- Acne scar treatments
- Neurotoxins
- Cosmeceuticals
- Threads
- Dermal fillers
- The use of lasers
- Lip injections
- Physiological aspects of cosmetic treatments
- Vascular occlusion and the dissolvement of unwanted fillers
Can Dermatologists Make 500k a Year?
Just like with many other vocations, the earnings of a cosmetic dermatologist depend on various factors such as the type of practice, years of experience, and location. However, as a cosmetic dermatologist, you have the potential to make between $200,000 and $500,000 per year. Practitioners with established practices and rich experience can earn even more, especially if they are located in urban areas with a high demand for aesthetic corrections.
Becoming a cosmetic dermatologist requires plenty of time and effort, but if you are passionate about medicine, aesthetics, and skincare, it can turn out to be a truly rewarding career.