Whether it's related to lip injections, cheek fillers, or some sort of body sculpting, the phrase "cosmetic dermatology" has become more and more common throughout the internet (as anyone who's ever clicked on a " Did Kylie/Kendall/Kim/Khloe/Kourtney Get Her (insert body part here) Done?" headline can attest to). But what exactly is cosmetic dermatology, and what makes cosmetic dermatology different from plastic surgery?
"Cosmetic dermatology is a subset of dermatology with a focus on aesthetic procedures, largely those that are considered non-invasive such as BOTOX, dermal fillers, medical grade lasers, and chemical peels, just to name a few," says the team behind Boston's leading medical aesthetic firm, LexRx. These treatments are not considered to be "surgical" (hence: non-invasive) and because of this have a much faster recovery time than traditional plastic surgery.
According to the LexRx team, cosmetic dermatology has grown in popularity over the last few years as men and women have looked for ways to maintain their youthful appearance without having to take time away from the daily hustle and bustle. These treatments have made quick beauty "fixes" and enhancements more affordable and accessible than ever, and have opened up the industry to an entirely new subset of women and men.
As cosmetic dermatology treatments become more common, however, it's important for anyone seeking them out to understand that even though they're minimally invasive procedures that there are still risks associated with them. Though adverse reactions are rare, it is important for clients to do their research and only seek educated, experienced, advanced providers for application. These are still advanced medical procedures, and should only be performed by those clinicians with appropriate training.
Although less invasive than plastic surgery, cosmetic dermatology treatment is still a major, personal choice, so be sure to explore your options and talk to your dermatologist to figure out what's right for you before jumping into a procedure.
