Your Cosmetic Dermatologist and You

While some people are comfortable doing their own research and starting their own skin care routine, others would prefer to work with an experienced professional. Cosmetic dermatologists are a great resource for those who are interested in expanding their knowledge and creating a routine that works with their skin and helps them achieve their goals.

This is one of the many reasons that Miami Skin Institute was founded. Specifically, our goal is to help give you both the knowledge and the services to help you defy your age and learn to love the skin you’re in.

What Is a Cosmetic Dermatologist?

Cosmetic dermatologists are medical doctors. To become a cosmetic dermatologist, four years of undergraduate classes, four years of medical school, one year of general hospital-based medicine, and three years of dermatology residency are required. Most states also require a state certification and board licensure to be able to practice, which is done through the State Board of Medicine and the American Board of Dermatology. That means that those who make it through all of it are mostly people who are genuinely driven to help people with their skin. They want people to be able to look their absolute best, and take a lot of pride in their work. Not only are cosmetic dermatologists the most knowledgeable in all skin issues, they apply this knowledge to deliver the best results in their patient procedures. They spend hundreds of hours yearly throughout their careers to maintain their Dermatology Board Certification IN ADDITION TO keeping up with the latest developments in cosmetic, or aesthetic, medical science and procedures. Did you know that aesthetic medicine is one of the fastest growing and advancing fields in the whole healthcare industry?

While medical dermatologists focus more on health concerns like skin cancer, psoriasis, and rosacea, cosmetic dermatologists treat aesthetic concerns.

Dermatologists who specialize in Cosmetic, or Aesthetic, Dermatology focus their efforts and expertise on Botox®, fillers, and cosmetic skin lasers, so they often deliver the most reliable and safe results.

What Do Cosmetic Dermatologists Do?

Due to their focus on aesthetic concerns, the skill set of cosmetic dermatologists are quite different than their medical counterparts. Here are just a few of the things that they regularly do:

Botox injections
Collagen injections
Dermal fillers
Chemical peels
Microdermabrasion
Laser surgery (skin tightening/discolorations/lifting)

To do all of that, it is also required that cosmetic dermatologists take a certain number of Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits to maintain their license and Dermatology board certification, which must also be renewed by recertification exam every ten years. They must also hold a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration so that they are able to prescribe and administer prescription medicines, which can be very useful when used in conjunction with aesthetic procedures.

Cosmetic dermatologists are also frequently up on the most current treatments and procedures. Treatments like the Fraxel Laser, CO₂ laser restoration, microdermabrasion, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, and microneedling are all regularly innovated, performed, and improved upon by these doctors.

Are Cosmetic Dermatologists and Plastic Surgeons the Same?

A lot of people get cosmetic dermatologists and plastic surgeons confused, but they actually perform quite different services.

The biggest difference between the two is how invasive the procedures that they perform are. Where cosmetic dermatologists are more focused on the external layers of the skin and perform non- and minimally invasive procedures like Botox injections, ultrasound skin lifting, and laser hair removal, plastic surgeons go one step further.

When you work with a plastic surgeon, you’re likely interested in looking a little bit deeper. While they do deal with external concerns, they also help improve aesthetics on a structural level. Services frequently performed by plastic surgeons include rhinoplasty (“nose job”), face lifts, liposuction, and abdominoplasty (“tummy tuck”).

Plastic surgeons used to be the “go to” when it comes to cosmetic concerns, but cosmetic dermatologists have been increasing in popularity over the years. Likely, this is due to the fact that people are more interested in trying to handle age-related concerns without the accompanying downtime that is required with surgery… not to mention the risks involved.

How Can You Benefit From Working With a Cosmetic Dermatologist?

While you can begin working with a cosmetic dermatologist at any age, most people who seek out their care are generally those who have begun to notice age-related concern. Normally, this process begins in our late 20s and starts to become more noticeable in our 30s.

If you’ve started to notice those concerns yourself, you’re probably wondering if a cosmetic dermatologist is the right choice for you.

There are plenty of benefits to working with one, if you can afford it. Keep in mind that, because they are highly specialized doctors, visiting one is not a “discount option”. You may pay a consult fee, along with à la carte procedure prices.

Credit: Unsplash

Overall skin rejuvenation is often one of the top goals that those interested in the treatments that cosmetic dermatologists are looking for. They can offer this by using a variety of different procedures and techniques. While they may use more traditional options like facials and chemical peels, they also offer other options like laser treatments and light therapy. These treatments can help to even out the texture of the skin surface, as well as its tone. They can also help minimize acne scars, superficial varicose veins, and spider veins. Working with a cosmetic dermatologist can help minimize fine lines and wrinkles, and help the skin appear more firm and radiant.

Summary

Sources:

https://www.abderm.org/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/dermatology/sections/conditions-treated/orc-20420534

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1606/collagen-peptides