Am I right for cosmetic dermatology?

If you are considering a cosmetic procedure, you are not alone. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) reports that nearly 9.2 million cosmetic procedures were performed in 2011.

According to ASAPS, 82% of those cosmetic procedures were nonsurgical, and the top nonsurgical procedures included botulinum toxin type A (Botox), hyaluronic acid, laser hair removal, microdermabrasion and IPL laser treatment.

Choosing whether or not to undergo a nonsurgical cosmetic procedure is an important and highly personal decision.  The question is not always “is a cosmetic procedure right for me?” Sometimes you must ask “am I right for that cosmetic procedure?”  To help answer those questions, I want to offer some advice:

DO seek treatment from a trained medical professional

DO understand all of the facts about the procedure that you are considering, including possible risks

DO know all of your options; seek a second opinion if necessary

DO be honest with yourself about your level of risk and pain tolerance

DO have realistic expectations about the outcome of any procedure

DO have a healthy self-esteem and avoid losing perspective

DO NOT buy in to unsubstantiated claims and false advertisements that offer easy and cheap fixes

DO NOT expect to have the same results as another person; everyone is different

DO NOT be passive when discussing a potential procedure with your doctor; be clear about what you want and expect so that both parties are on the same page

Information makes all the difference when deciding if cosmetic dermatology is the right option for you. Be sure to do your research and remember we are always here to answer your questions.