Dermatologists deal with cosmetic competition

It’s complicated

Many non-core competitors have only a weekend injectables course under their belts. Dermatologists have more expertise in how to do these procedures, because they’ve done more.

Unqualified injectors are more likely than core specialists to create two kinds of complications.

• Aesthetic complications such as asymmetries or lumps and bumps, which stem from poor technique but may not create medical hazards;
• Medical complications such as infections and granulomas.

Poor training can lead to poor results. And if you never had the training, you’ll never come close to knowing how to manage a complication. Fortunately, devastating complications are rare across the board.

Patients who choose to work with a dermatologist get the benefit of more than just a consultation on aesthetics.
By choosing a dermatologist, the patient gets the added value of discussing skincare, and a review of any suspicious growths, lesions and other skin issues. Unfortunately, I’ve seen a number of new patients who were previously injected at a medispa or by a non-dermatologist, who had an obvious facial skin cancer that I diagnosed during consultation.

Thorough consultation

The hardest part of the treatment is the consultation. Physicians delegate the consultation to an extender. That’s where we see the worst outcomes, because the motivation may not be there to provide the best outcome, but instead (to reap) financial gain.

Patients frequently present for aesthetic treatment with one specific complaint. However, look at the patient as a whole and formulate a treatment plan based on patient desires, anatomical knowledge and budget considerations.

If somebody really requires three or four syringes of fillers to get a good outcome, and based on syringe pricing they can only afford one, I won’t do the procedure. I tell them they won’t be happy with the result.

However, it’s rarely possible to convince price-driven patients that there’s anything wrong with this approach until it’s too late.
When we find that the neuromodulator is not really Botox, or the filler is not really Juvéderm (hyaluronic acid/HA, Allergan) or Restylane (HA, Medicis), then they wonder, “What did that doctor inject in me?”

This creates another challenge for dermatologists. If a patient has a complication, they cannot always tell their dermatologist exactly what was used in their treatment from the non-core provider.

Patient gets a product from Mexico or another neighboring country, and we have no idea what was injected into their face, not knowing, we don’t know how to correct it.

Some people will have a small account with Allergan, for example, through which they order 10 vials of Botox yearly. But somehow they’re injecting a ton of toxins per year, often using materials purchased online from Canada or Asia.

The Kopelson Clinic offers a myriad of advanced dermatological treatments and procedures, Dr. Kopelson and his staff provide personalized clinical suggestions and cosmetic dermatology services to customize each patient’s specific medical and cosmetic concerns.

Click here or contact The Kopelson Clinic to schedule an appointment today.