What is Cosmetic Dermatology?

Cosmetic dermatology procedures are usually undertaken to reverse the visible signs of ageing. Similar procedures and techniques are also used to treat potentially disfiguring or distressing skin diseases such as acne scars, birthmarks, skin growths and precancerous skin diseases.

What are the treatments for Cosmetic Dermatology?
Skin specialists provide a wide range of treatments for skin ageing and other cosmetic problems. Treatments range from creams, injections and facial peels to cosmetic dermatologic surgery and laser therapy. Careful consideration must be given to the type of cosmetic problem, the range of treatments available for different cosmetic problems, along with the relative benefits and disadvantages of different treatment methods.

What are the treatments in Cosmetic Dermatology?

Cosmetic dermatology includes several procedures such as fillers, lasers, Botox and Dysport™, liposuction, fat injections, volumization and Sculptra™. Most of these procedures are minimally invasive. Liposuction is more invasive, as are Sculptra™ and Radiesse™, which are thicker fillers and slightly more invasive.

Are there any risks in Cosmetic Dermatology?

With all procedures, there is always a risk. There is nothing that is risk-free. However, compared to general anesthesia procedures and large surgical procedures, cosmetic dermatology is very safe. Risks and complications and side effects do occur. Doctors need to explain this to patients in consultation prior to the patient agreeing to the procedure.

For instance, with fillers, there is bruising, tenderness, there could be lumps, and there could be asymmetry from side to side. Lasers could even cause scarring and pigmentation changes that could be both darker and lighter. Liposuction can have irregular lumpiness, sensation loss, sensitivity, asymmetry from side to side, and indentations.

With all these procedures, there are ways of improving the appearance or complications. Again, the doctor and patient need to review the possible complications and side effects of the treatment before the patient agrees to any of the procedures, regardless of how invasive or not the procedure may be.

In general though, cosmetic dermatology is safe.