An Alternative Career for Doctors in Aesthetics Medicine

General consultation - The foundation of aesthetic medicine practice
The field of cosmetic medicine is a thriving industry but there are many doctors who may still not be aware of the potential opportunities it has in store for them. Currently, the cosmetic medicine industry is worth more than £4.4 billion and is growing day by day.
The Growing Aesthetic Medicine Industry
The major aspect of this industry is the administration of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, especially Botox and dermal filler treatments. These are minimally invasive treatments with minimal downtime, temporary and with low risks. They are fairly easy to learn (as compared to most hospital-based surgical procedures) with the advantage of learning treatments or concerns individually and applying them within short time afterwards in clinical practice.
For example, there are doctors who start with wrinkle treatment injections whilst others start their career with anti-pigmentation treatments or just lasers. With the rising awareness about these procedures and demand, many doctors have already started acquiring these new skills of injectable treatments which is making their transition easy and gradual from the field of medicine to aesthetic medicine.

Gentle makeover with dermal fillers - Subtle, natural-looking enhancements
Accessibility of Aesthetic Training
Previously, it was assumed that dermatologists or plastic surgeons would be able to handle this demand but due to commitment to medical issues they rarely have the time to acquire aesthetic skills. However, with more and more organised training programmes that cover necessary dermatology and anatomy, it has become easy to enter aesthetic medicine by learning one treatment at a time.
Credit is due to the aesthetic industry as a whole which, despite lack of proper governmental support, has produced some unrivalled educational programmes and experiences. Doctors can easily adopt cosmetic procedures and offer them alongside their regular practice because these are viewed as ideally compatible with many practices.

Heavy makeover with dermal fillers - Dramatic transformation and rejuvenation
Even gynaecologists are taking a plunge into the field by offering cosmetic treatments like microdermabrasion, laser hair removal, and liposuction along with their medical practice. Other physicians and surgeons wishing to offer treatments for migraines, hyperhidrosis, bruxism, muscle spasms (such as post-whiplash and shoulder knots) will realise that many of these treatments fall under the domain of multiple specialities currently.
Benefits of Training as Cosmetic Doctors
Pursuing a career in cosmetic medicine offers a fruitful career with plentiful benefits. Trainee doctors can take aesthetic training and work alongside their job with the NHS. Senior doctors and GPs who feel stuck in their non-progressive medical jobs can take up aesthetic training to offer aesthetic treatments as an alternative to their work.

Jaw reduction for bruxism and slimmer face - Medical benefits with aesthetic improvements
Thus, after completing the training in aesthetic courses, doctors achieve the ability of exercising freedom and control over their working hours as well as income. Here are some of the key advantages:
Run Your Own Business / Entrepreneurship
Being trained as an aesthetic practitioner or doctor means that you can now choose to have employment at some cosmetic clinic or you can open up your own cosmetic clinic where you can exclusively offer aesthetic treatments. By opening your clinic, you can also choose to quit your medical practice and work full-time as a cosmetic practitioner or can run your private practice alongside your NHS job. It gives you a liberty to effectively control your time and earnings. Nevertheless, running a medical clinic is not very easy but with the right guidance this process can be simplified into easy steps.
Financial Remuneration
Unfortunately, this is one of the biggest attractions this field has to offer to doctors. Current climate for doctors in training as well as after qualification may have a role to play in this. Financial remuneration MUST NOT be the driving force behind your decision to enter this profession as thousands upon thousands of doctors have already tried that by attending prominent courses but failed with loss of money, time and morale.
However, it is true that cosmetic practitioners have the potential to earn far more than the average hospital specialist physician or surgeon for equivalent time. The majority of the non-surgical cosmetic treatments are high fee but take less than 30 minutes to perform, making the turnover high. However, being properly remunerated means you have the option of exploring your creative and artistic side, attend expensive training courses and conferences to expand your skills without worrying too much about how to sustain yourself in the process.

Gummy smile reduction with Botox - Enhancing smile aesthetics with precision
Significant Decrease in Tension Related to Red Tape and Regulation Issues
In regular medical practice, doctors have to face red tape and regulation issues in their routine work. But in the case of cosmetic medicine practice, such issues are quite less as most cosmetic practitioners are offering their services privately and the regulations for cosmetic practice are less strict as compared to most government medical organisations such as the NHS.
More Time to Spend with Patients
Most patients wish to spend more time with doctors in order to get complete satisfaction and also many doctors are willing to spend more time with their patients. Aesthetic practice offers a perfect opportunity to spend as much time as you want with your patient and to spread joy and happiness through great aesthetic outcomes of the treatments.
Quick and Easy Training
As most doctors possess the basic skills and experience required for aesthetic training, they can quickly and efficiently add up the newly learned skill to their practice without much difficulty. The aesthetic training courses for doctors are mostly quick to complete. Most of the aesthetic training courses can be completed in one day or week, thus making it possible to get quick training and deal with patients the next.
Opportunity to Develop Long-Term Patient Relationships
Though aesthetic treatments give impressive and beautiful results to your patients, they are temporary in nature. So patients are highly likely to come back to you, if they like the results of your treatment, for repeat treatment. This allows you to develop long-term relationships with your patients whom you can then offer to try out your new cosmetic treatments, adding to your repertoire.
More Time for Your Personal and Social Life
As already mentioned, doctors lead a tough life. They often spend extra hours to provide care and treatments to ailing patients in their medical practice, which is rewarding in its own respect. Cosmetic medicine, on the other hand, gives you a chance to take control over the time you want to spend with your patients. You can have more time to spend with your family and friends and can have a healthy social life which makes you more happy and satisfied with your profession. As the field is rapidly developing and expanding, it also keeps you interested in your work without becoming monotonous.
Keeps You Interested in Your Profession
Cosmetic medicine is evolving and every year new, innovative and minimally invasive cosmetic techniques are coming to the forefront. You can keep on learning, acquiring and adding new skills and techniques to your cosmetic practice by getting aesthetic training in new cosmetic treatments that are easy to learn, quick to perform and deliver highly satisfying results. This keeps you interested in your profession and you never get bored with the same type of techniques performing time and again.
What Do Aesthetic Treatments Hold for the Patients?
With the advent of HD cameras for selfies, there has been a tremendous increase in the demand for plastic surgical treatments during the last few years according to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. According to the reports of BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons), during 2013 in the UK, 50,122 aesthetic procedures were performed, showing a rise of 17% from the previous year.
According to results of one study published in the British Dental Journal, preoccupation with one's overall appearance is usually the motivating factor in making people undergo certain kinds of cosmetic procedures. Another study published in Clinical Psychological Science Journal reported that undergoing aesthetic surgery procedures produced more positive psychological changes in patients.
The appearance of an individual is related to psychological and social well-being and therefore more and more people are now seeking cosmetic treatments. Patients seeking aesthetic treatments are also benefiting from these treatments by satisfying their inner sense of satisfaction with their physical appearance. Here cosmetic doctors also have a role to play. They should satisfy the patients through discussion and honest opinion about which treatment will prove best for them and for their looks and improve their confidence.
Final Thoughts
If you're bored of hospital medicine or wish an exciting change and have some interest in cosmetics, art, fashion and entrepreneurism, then a career in aesthetic medicine can be very fulfilling. The increasing demand for aesthetic treatments has started attracting large numbers of doctors and practitioners to this field due to its attractive and impressive opportunities for fruitful professional and personal life.
The variety of treatments available in aesthetic medicine—from subtle enhancements to dramatic transformations, from medical conditions like bruxism to aesthetic improvements like gummy smile reduction—demonstrates the breadth and depth of opportunities available in this field. With proper training, dedication, and an artistic eye, doctors can build rewarding careers that offer both professional satisfaction and personal fulfilment.
About the Author
Philip Gray used to be a general practitioner by profession but training in aesthetics opened up a new and exciting world for his career. He has a passion for writing so he blogs about the various options that are available for general practitioners in the industry of aesthetic treatments and how these can open up an exciting career for them. He resides in London and simply loves his new career shift as an aesthetic practitioner!
