Aesthetic doctor: missions, skills and career path

In a society where appearance is king, the médecin esthétiqueis becoming an increasingly important part of the medical sector. A veritable sculptor of beauty, he works on patients to help them cope better with their bodies and the complexes that go with them. Unlike his colleagues, his role is not to act on physical health, but on mental health, which makes his medical career very different. In order to better understand this speciality (which should not be confused with cosmetic surgery) that divides public opinion, we will cover all its aspects in this new fact sheet.

What is an aesthetic physician?

A médecin estétique is a health professional with a diploma in medicine who performs non-surgical medical procedures to improve patients' physical appearance. He offers treatments such as botox or hyaluronic acid injections, peelings, lasers or définitive pilation. His aim is to correct certain signs of ageing, diminish imperfections or guide patients towards a natural result, without surgery or general anaesthesia. He also provides personalized follow-up and advice for each patient.

The missions of a médecin esthétique

On a day-to-day basis, the activities of the aesthetic physician are varied:

• Maîtrise des soins esthétiques non chirurgicaux : le médecin esthétique réalise exclusivement des actes médicaux sans chirurgie (injections, lasers, peelings, etc.) pour améliorer l’apparence des patients. He knows how to correct or attenuate skin imperfections while guaranteeing the safety of care.
  
  
• Épilation d&éfinitive, cryolipolysis and body contouring: laser or pulsed light pilation, cold fat removal, other aesthetic body treatments.
  
  
• Botox and hyaluronic acid injections: treatment of expression lines, volume restoration, facial contouring.
  
  
• Cutaneous rejuvenation techniques: chemical peels, lasers, mothacutes, radiofrequency to improve skin quality and clarity.
  
  
• Treatment of imperfections: management of pigment spots, superficial wrinkles and scars (acne, surgery) with adapted protocols.
  
  
• Capacité d’écoute et conseil personnalisé: he places great importance à l’écoute active to fully understand the expectations of each patient. Thanks to his interpersonal skills, he is able to create a customized protocol and ensure regular follow-up to obtain natural, lasting results.
  
  
• Preventing and accompanying skin aging; : endowed with solid expertise in preventive care, he guides his patients in delaying the effects of aging (hygienic advice, no dietary restrictions, choice of adapted treatments), while personalizing his approach according to each individual's needs and lifestyle.
  
  
• Sense of aesthetic and precision of gesture : he possesses a well-developed artistic sense and great technical precision, indispensable for guaranteeing harmonious results adapted to each patient's morphology.
  
  
• Knowledge of medical technologies and innovations: he stays at the cutting edge of developments in aesthetic medicine, trains continuously and masters the most recent equipment and protocols in the sector.

The path to becoming a médecin esthétique

The academic path required in order to become a médecin esthétiqueis long and difficult. It requires advanced medical skills. This specialization includes internships, research and training. It consists of a first year of study in the Parcours Accès Santé Spéifique (PASS) or Licence avec Accès Santé (L.AS), two years of general medical studies to obtain the Diplôme de Formation Générale en Sciences Médicales (DFGSM), followed by a further three years to obtain the Diplocirc;me de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Médicales (DFASM). Finally, the young graduate will have to take the end-of-clerkship tests (EDN and ECNOS) and specialize in aesthetic medicine. Afterwards, he will become an intern for five years, before officially becoming a medical aesthetician.

To find out more about édecin esthétique studies, find our fiche études médecin esthétique.

After the formation en médecine esthétique, practitioners can specialize in specific areas such as injectable techniques, aesthetic dermatology, medical lasers, aesthetic nutrition, scar management or the prevention of skin aging. This will enable them to apply for better job offers médecin esthétique.

The skills and qualities required

To practice as an esthetician, several skills and qualities are essential:

• Solid médical knowledge : in-depth training in medicine, particularly dermatology, anatomy and skin physiology, is essential to ensure the safety and efficacy of the procedures performed.
  
  
• Maîtrise des techniques esthétiques : the aesthetic physician must know and be able to apply with precision the various non-surgical techniques: injections, lasers, peels, rejuvenation treatments, blemish treatments, etc.
  
  
• Sense of aesthetics: an ability to perceive the harmony of volumes, understand the patient's expectations and propose natural results adapted to each morphology.
  
  
• Précision and meticulousness : aesthetic medicine procedures require a high degree of dexterity and perfect gestural control, with every millimeter counting towards an optimal, safe result.
  
  
• Écoute and empathy: understanding patients' needs, motivations and sometimes réticences, establishing a climate of trust and providing attentive follow-up are central human qualities in this practice.
  
  
• Scientific watch and adaptation: the sector is evolving rapidly, requiring regular updating of knowledge and curiosity about technical and technological innovations.
  
  
• Ethical rigor and responsibility; : respect the legal and déontological framework, ask pertinent indications, know how to refuse an act if not necessary and always privilege the patient's health and interest.

The combination of technical skills, human qualities and a keen sense of aesthetics makes the aesthetic physician a unique professional at the crossroads of medicine and art.

The débouchés and perspectives of’évolution

Practice methods and professional environment

Aesthetic physicians have a great deal of freedom in choosing how they practice. He can set up a solo practice to guarantee a privileged relationship with his patients, or integrate a multidisciplinary structure with dermatologists, plastic surgeons, nutritionists or other specialists.

At the same time, we are witnessing the rise of specialized aesthetic medicine centers, veritable innovation hubs that pool skills and cutting-edge technologies (lasers, remodeling devices, 3D imaging platforms), promoting comprehensive, personalized patient support.

Possibilités de spécialisation, d’enseignement et de recherche

Throughout his career as an aesthetic physician, this specialist will be able to hone his expertise in specific technical fields. This spécialisation may be accompanied by involvement in continuing education — by leading workshops, speaking at congresses or mentoring young practitioners — and in clinical research to advance the discipline, validate new protocols and contribute à scientific publication.

Growing demand and market dynamics;

The market for aesthetic medicine has been experiencing sustained growth for several years, stimulated by a society in search of beauty and well-being. The rise of non-invasive techniques, shorter treatment times and the expansion of the patient population (across all genders) are making the sector even more attractive. For motivated, enterprising practitioners, this means:

• a diversity of set-up opportunities (in urban or suburban areas, as a franchise or as part of a network of specialized centers)
  
  
• possibilities for rapid advancement to recognized expertise
  
  
• stable, even growing, demand, enabling long-term career prospects and innovative practices
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