Selecting a Cosmetic Dermatologist
Many companies offer a website that includes the ‘status’ of the dermatologist. For example, I hold a platinum or platinum plus status with Allergan, the company that produces Botox and Juvederm. This correlates to a usage of about 300 to 500 vials of Botox a year and hundreds of syringes of Juvederm. On their website, various credentials are posted as well, but it is important to know that in large practices the total aggregate sales of Botox and fillers define the status, so it is possible to have a large volume practice where your particular injector has little or no experience. In a smaller or one person practice, what you see is what you get as long as the doctor does the injections.
You can also find a referral from patients and ask if the dermatologist does his or her work themselves or not. If they give it to a nurse or PA to do, I would avoid them on principal. It is possible that the nurse or PA could do a good job, but you never know.
Joel Schlessinger, MD, President Emeritus of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery, is a Board Certified Dermatologist and board certified in General Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Schlessinger is in private practice in Omaha, Nebraska and is President of LovelySkin.com. Dr Schlessinger is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Moh’s Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and the Laser Institute of America.
Cosmetic Dermatology Consult is supported by an educational grant from sanofi aventis U.S.
The information contained on this site is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific medical condition or question.
