In a society where appearance is king, the profession of aesthetic doctor is playing an increasingly important role in the medical sector. A true sculptor of beauty, he intervenes 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, making it a very different medical career. In order to better understand this specialty (not to be confused with cosmetic surgery), which divides public opinion, we will cover all its aspects in this new job description.
What is an aesthetic doctor?
An aesthetic doctor is a healthcare professional with a medical degree who performs non-surgical medical procedures to improve patients' physical appearance. They offer treatments such as botox or hyaluronic acid injections, peels, lasers or permanent hair removal. His aim is to correct certain signs of ageing, reduce imperfections or guide his patients towards a natural result, without surgery or general anaesthetic. He also provides personalized follow-up and advice for each patient.
The missions of an aesthetic doctor
The aesthetic doctor's day-to-day activities are varied:
- Mastery of non-surgical aesthetic care: the aesthetic doctor performs exclusively non-surgical medical procedures (injections, lasers, peels, etc.) to improve patients' appearance. They know how to correct or attenuate skin imperfections, while guaranteeing the safety of the treatment.
- Permanent hair removal, cryolipolysis and body contouring: laser or pulsed light hair removal, cold fat elimination, other aesthetic body treatments.
- Botox and hyaluronic acid injections: treatment of expression lines, restoration of volume, redefinition of facial contours.
- Skin rejuvenation techniques: chemical peels, lasers, mesotherapy, radiofrequency to improve skin quality and radiance.
- Treatment of imperfections: treatment of pigmentation spots, superficial wrinkles and scars (acne, surgery) with adapted protocols.
- Listening skills and personalized advice: he attaches great importance to active listening in order to fully understand each patient's expectations. Thanks to his interpersonal skills, he is able to draw up a customized protocol and ensure regular follow-up to achieve natural, long-lasting results.
- Prevention and support for skin ageing: with his solid expertise in prevention, he guides his patients to delay the effects of ageing (hygienic and dietary advice, choice of adapted treatments), while personalizing his approach according to the needs and lifestyle of each individual.
- A sense of aesthetics and precision of gesture: a highly developed artistic sense and technical precision are essential to guarantee harmonious results adapted to each patient's morphology.
- Knowledge of medical technologies and innovations: they stay at the cutting edge of developments in aesthetic medicine, undergoing continuous training and mastering the latest equipment and protocols in the field.
The path to becoming an aesthetic doctor
The academic path required to become an aesthetic doctor is long and difficult. It requires the acquisition of advanced medical skills. This specialization includes internships, research and training. It consists of a first year of study in the Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (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), then a further three years to obtain the Diplôme de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Médicales (DFASM). Finally, the young graduate must sit the final externat exams (EDN and ECNOS) and specialize in aesthetic medicine. There, he or she will become a student intern for five years, before officially becoming an aesthetic doctor.
To find out more about studying aesthetic medicine, see our study sheet on aesthetic medicine.
After training in aesthetic medicine, practitioners can specialize in specific areas such as injectable techniques, aesthetic dermatology, medical lasers, aesthetic nutrition, scar management or skin aging prevention. This will enable them to apply for better job offers for aesthetic physicians.
Skills and qualities required
To work as an aesthetic doctor, a number of skills and qualities are essential:
- Sound medical knowledge: in-depth medical training, particularly in dermatology, skin anatomy and physiology, is essential to ensure the safety and efficacy of the procedures performed.
- Mastery of aesthetic techniques: the aesthetic physician must know and be able to apply with precision the various non-surgical techniques: injections, lasers, peels, rejuvenation treatments, treatments of imperfections, etc.
- A sense of aesthetics: the ability to perceive the harmony of volumes, to understand the patient's expectations and to propose natural results adapted to each morphology.
- Precision and meticulousness: aesthetic medical procedures require great dexterity and a perfect mastery of gestures, with every millimetre counting towards optimal, safe results.
- Listening and empathy: understanding patients' needs, motivations and sometimes reservations, establishing a climate of trust and ensuring attentive follow-up are key human qualities in this field.
- Scientific watch and adaptation: the sector evolves rapidly, requiring regular updating of knowledge and curiosity about technical and technological innovations.
- Ethical rigor and responsibility: respecting the legal and deontological framework, providing relevant indications, knowing when to refuse a procedure if necessary, and always putting the patient's health and interests first.
The combination of technical skills, human qualities and a keen sense of aesthetics makes the aesthetic doctor a unique professional, at the crossroads of medicine and art.
Career opportunities and prospects
Working conditions and professional environment
Aesthetic physicians enjoy considerable freedom in their choice of practice. They can set up their own solo practice to guarantee a privileged relationship with their patients, or join a multidisciplinary structure alongside dermatologists, plastic surgeons, nutritionists or other specialists.
We are also witnessing the rise of specialized aesthetic medicine centers, veritable hubs of innovation that pool skills and cutting-edge technologies (lasers, remodeling devices, 3D imaging platforms), promoting comprehensive, personalized patient care.
Specialization, teaching and research opportunities
Over the course of their career as aesthetic physicians, specialists can hone their expertise in specific technical fields. This specialization may be accompanied by involvement in continuing education - by running workshops, speaking at conferences or mentoring young practitioners - and in clinical research to advance the discipline, validate new protocols and contribute to scientific publications.
These additional assets can help you find better positions, why not by enlisting the help of a medical recruiter specialized in the healthcare sector, such as Jobergroup.
Growing demand and market dynamics
The aesthetic medicine market has been growing steadily for several years, driven by a society in search of beauty and well-being. The rise of non-invasive techniques, shorter recovery times and a broader patient base (across all generations) are making the sector even more attractive. For motivated, enterprising practitioners, this means :
- a variety of installation opportunities (in urban or suburban areas, as a franchise or in a network of specialized centers)
- opportunities for rapid advancement towards recognized expertise
- stable, even growing, demand, enabling long-term career prospects and innovative practices
In conclusion, the career of an aesthetic doctor is rich and full of possibilities. In addition to a well-balanced lifestyle, it offers strong financial potential and numerous prospects for advancement. Whatever your career stage, it's a specialty to consider for the future.
Like this article and want to learn more? Check out our salary sheet for aesthetic physicians.
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