Aesthetic medicine

Aesthetic Medicine

Illustration of a forehead flap procedure, a technique used in reconstructive surgery.

Advertisement for plastic surgery in a Tokyo urban train, highlighting the popularity of aesthetic procedures.

Aesthetic medicine is a branch of medicine focused on enhancing cosmetic appearance through the treatment of conditions including, but not limited to, scars, skin laxity, wrinkles, moles, liver spots, excess fat, cellulite, unwanted hair, skin discoloration, and spider veins.

Overview

Aesthetic medicine encompasses both surgical and non-surgical procedures, and practitioners may utilize a combination of both to achieve the desired results. The field is broad and includes dermatology, reconstructive surgery, and plastic surgery.

Procedures

Aesthetic medicine includes a variety of procedures:

Non-Surgical Procedures

• Botulinum toxin injections (commonly known as Botox)
• Dermal fillers
• Chemical peels
• Laser hair removal
• Microdermabrasion
• Laser skin resurfacing

Surgical Procedures

• Rhinoplasty
• Liposuction
• Breast augmentation
• Facelift
• Blepharoplasty

Training and Certification

Practitioners of aesthetic medicine are typically trained in dermatology, plastic surgery, or cosmetic surgery. Certification and training requirements vary by country, but many practitioners undergo specialized training in aesthetic procedures.

Ethical Considerations

Aesthetic medicine raises several ethical issues, including the potential for body dysmorphic disorder, the impact of societal beauty standards, and the ethics of performing cosmetic procedures on minors.

Related Pages

• Plastic surgery
• Cosmetic surgery
• Dermatology
• Reconstructive surgery

Gallery

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  Illustration of a forehead flap procedure.
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  Advertisement for plastic surgery in Tokyo.