What is a Cosmetic Physician?

!±8± What is a Cosmetic Physician?

In Australia Cosmetic Physician is a title commonly used to describe a Medical Practitioner that provides one or more non-surgical medical procedures designed to augment or enhance their patient's appearance. Procedures performed include botox, dermal fillers, chemical peels, laser and IPL therapy, cosmetic mole removal, acne treatments, leg and facial vein treatments, microdermabrasion and photodynamic therapy.

It is important to realise that the the title Cosmetic Physician is not a recognised specialist qualification. In Australia no exam or post-graduate study is required to use this title. In fact, any registered Medical Practitioner could refer to himself as a Cosmetic Physician. This is potentially somewhat confusing as the title Physician generally refers to a recognised specialist with post-graduate training and qualifications. It is for this reason that I personally use the term Cosmetic Medicine Doctor.

In Australia there is no government recognised post-graduate Cosmetic Medicine or Cosmetic Surgery qualification. There is no officially recognised training or accreditation in any of the procedures. Training generally is provided by drug companies that produce the products that Cosmetic Doctors use. This is not to say that training is inadequate. In fact, my experience has been that the training and ongoing education provided by these companies is excellent.

There are two groups in Australia that represent doctors paractising non-surgical cosmetic procedures. These are the Australasian Society of Cosmetic Medicine and the Cosmetic Physicians Society of Australasia. No exam needs to be passed to become a Member of either of these Societies. Both these Societies provide educational events and seminars as well as offering more advanced education such as Diplomas and Fellowships. Whilst I am a supporter of ongoing education it is important to realise that none of these qualifications are recognised by the Australian Government as conferring specialist status.

It could be argued that Cosmetic Medicine is a mixture of consumerism and Medical Practice. Sometimes dubious marketing techniques are employed that may exaggerate the qualifications of the Practitioner performing the procedure. As professionals, Medical Practitioners should put the interest of their patients above their own personal interests. Trust and honesty is an integral part of this. Always be prepared to ask a Medical Practitioner what there titles and qualifications really mean.