[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/05\/cosmetic-dermatologic-surgeon\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/05\/cosmetic-dermatologic-surgeon\/","headline":"What Is a Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgeon?","name":"What Is a Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgeon?","description":"

A cosmetic dermatologist is a doctor with special training to help make your skin look better. Here's what you need to know about cosmetic dermatology.<\/p>","datePublished":"2024-05-13","dateModified":"2024-05-10","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/dermatology-regions","name":"Dermatology","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/dermatology-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/dermatology\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/GettyImages-1271562549.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/GettyImages-1271562549.jpg","height":867,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/05\/cosmetic-dermatologic-surgeon\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Skin Care"],"wordCount":1246,"articleBody":"If you\u2019d like to minimize wrinkles, resurface sun-damaged skin, remove unwanted fat, address leg veins, or smooth acne scars, you should see a cosmetic dermatologic surgeon. These highly trained experts can address many skin issues, including:Blotchiness.Fine lines.Neck skin laxity.Stubborn areas of fat accumulation.Unwanted facial and body hair.Here\u2019s what you need to know about cosmetic dermatology.What Is a Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgeon?A cosmetic dermatologic surgeon is a doctor who has completed a fellowship specializing in cosmetic dermatologic surgery to improve the skin’s appearance. Cosmetic dermatology procedures include:BOTOX\u00ae\ufe0f\/Dysport\u00ae\ufe0f (neuromodulators).Chemical peels.Dermal fillers.Eye lifts.Laser therapy.Mini-facelifts.Tumescent liposuction.A traditional dermatologist, on the other hand, is a doctor who is an expert on conditions of the skin, hair, and nails. Their main concern is the health of your skin. Dermatologists treat everything from acne to psoriasis to skin cancer.Other kinds of dermatology experts include:Dermapathologists, who study and identify the causes of skin conditions using samples of hair or skin.Mohs surgeons, who perform a special type of surgery for removing skin cancer.Pediatric dermatologists, who focus on treating skin conditions in children, including newborns and infants.Why Choose a Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgeon?Cosmetic dermatologic surgeons help you to look your best, yet natural, at any age.\u00a0 It all starts with healthy-looking skin, which can boost your self-confidence and make you feel better.If you want to improve your appearance but don\u2019t have a medical skin problem, you should see a cosmetic dermatologic surgeon. They have the training and expertise to safely handle procedures like:Earlobe repairs.Fat grafting to the face.Injectables (fillers and neuromodulators).Treatment of scars, earlobe repairsTumescent liposuction.Cosmetic dermatologists may work at:Dermatology clinics.Medical spas.Traditional doctor\u2019s offices.You should never get cosmetic dermatology treatments from a:Cruise ship or during travel abroad.Nonmedical spa.Party.Salon.Someone\u2019s home.You should only trust your cosmetic skin concerns to a cosmetic dermatologic surgeon. They’re the ultimate experts on improving your skin\u2019s appearance. Cosmetic dermatologic surgeons have a deeper knowledge and understanding of the anatomy of the nerves, muscles, and blood vessels under the skin.There’s another bonus to seeing a cosmetic dermatologic surgeon. If a blemish on your skin turns out to be more than a cosmetic flaw, they know how to treat it. What might look like an age spot or acne scar could be skin cancer in its early stages.What Kind of Training Does a Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgeon \u00a0Have?A cosmetic dermatologic surgeon is a board-certified doctor. After getting a bachelor\u2019s degree, dermatologists graduate from medical school to become a doctor. They then complete a yearlong internship in medicine and three years of residency in dermatology.After completing their residency, a cosmetic dermatologic surgeon completes an approved fellowship. Training focuses solely on cosmetic dermatologic surgery procedures.This means they pass more exams and stay current on the latest techniques and procedures. A board-certified dermatologist participates in continuing certification activities and tests.What Treatments Can a Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgeons Provide?Cosmetic dermatologic surgeons can perform a wide variety of treatments. They range from noninvasive, minimally invasive procedures to surgical procedures. These can include injectable treatments, skin resurfacing treatments, laser skin treatments, and more.Injectable treatmentsInjectable treatments can help people with fine lines, wrinkles, and thinning faces due to aging. A cosmetic dermatologist uses injectable substances to relax frown lines and add plumpness to your face. These include:BOTOX\u00ae\ufe0f and Dysport\u00ae\ufe0f, which are brand names for a botulinum type A injection. Botox\/Dysport is a popular option for temporarily reducing wrinkles and fine lines. Botox\/Dysport temporarily relaxes overactive muscles in the treated area, often around the forehead, eyes, and eyebrows. It\u2019s noninvasive, and treatments last for a few months.Dermal fillers can restore volume and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles to help you look younger. For instance, fillers can address volume loss of the cheeks, nasolabial folds, and under-eye (tear-trough) areas.\u00a0 Another common use of fillers is to enhance the shape and fullness of your lips.\u00a0 The goal of these treatments is to restore the youthful fullness that we lose with time while maintaining a well-balanced, natural appearance.Skin resurfacing treatmentsThese treatments are another effective way to make skin look younger and rejuvenated without surgery. Skin resurfacing procedures remove dead skin cells and boost collagen production to improve your skin\u2019s appearance. They include:Chemical peels (medium-depth and deep peels): Doctors apply a chemical solution to the skin to boost exfoliation, or the removal of dead skin cells. Chemical peels can help improve your skin\u2019s appearance if you have acne scars, wrinkles, or an uneven skin tone. They come in different strengths depending on whether your skin imperfections are surface-level or deeper.Exfoliation: Your doctor applies an abrasive substance to the skin. This helps scrape away dead skin cells, leading to refreshed and younger-looking skin.Microdermabrasion: Doctors exfoliate the outer layer of skin with fine crystals or a diamond-shaped wand to gently remove dead skin cells. It\u2019s good for all skin types and doesn\u2019t require any downtime. Microdermabrasion can reduce signs of sun damage, acne scars, and wrinkles and helps your skin absorb skin care products.Laser skin treatmentLaser treatments are noninvasive ways of getting rid of tattoos and unwanted hair and improving skin texture and tone. Treatments include:Fractional laser treatment: This uses lasers on wrinkles, scars, and uneven pigmentation. The laser creates controlled injuries to the skin, boosting collagen production and the formation of new skin cells.Laser hair removal: As an alternative to waxing or shaving, laser hair removal has grown in popularity in recent years. The laser targets hair follicles, eventually destroying them. It can target specific areas without hurting the surrounding skin.Tattoo removal: Lasers break up the ink particles in your skin so your immune system can get rid of them. It may take several laser sessions to remove a tattoo.Vascular lasers: These lasers can target port-wine stains, broken capillaries, and rosacea\/facial redness.\u00a0 They can also be used to treat surgical scars and post-acne red scars.Other lasers: There are many other lasers, each of which can have a particular benefit to the skin.\u00a0 There are lasers to treat sunspots, boost collagen production, and reduce the appearance of sun damage.\u00a0 This is done by using lasers with different wavelengths of light to address these concerns.Minimally invasive options and surgical optionsA cosmetic dermatologic surgeon can come up with a treatment plan that maximizes nonsurgical options. If needed, they also can use more advanced surgical options to tackle certain conditions.\u00a0 These include:Fat transfer to the face to restore lost volume.Mini-facelifts to lift sagging jowls and early neck laxity.Tumescent liposuction to address excess and diet-resistant fat.Upper eyelid blepharoplasty to removed hooded skin on the eyelids.Does Insurance Cover Cosmetic Dermatology Treatments?You should always check with your insurance company to see what procedures and treatments they cover. However, most insurance policies don’t cover cosmetic dermatology treatments. That\u2019s because they are rarely medically necessary.SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association, What Is a Dermatologist? LinkAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association, Cosmetic Treatments, LinkAmerican Cosmetic Association, Review of Cosmetic Dermatology Procedures, LinkAcademic Alliance in Dermatology, Exploring the 4 Different Branches of Dermatology, LinkAmerican Board of Cosmetic Surgery, Non-Surgical Fat Reduction, LinkAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association, Who Should Provide Your Cosmetic Treatment? Link"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2024","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"05","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/\/05\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What Is a Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgeon?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/05\/cosmetic-dermatologic-surgeon\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]