TITULO What is Aestehtic Medicine
🩺 Aesthetic Medicine
Complete guide to aesthetic medicine: what it is, treatments, safety, risks, prices and everything you need to know before deciding.
🩺 Is aesthetic medicine just for vain people or can it really improve your life? I answer your 80 questions (including the awkward ones)
Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought: "Is this tiredness or am I really like this now?" or perhaps "Why do I look 40 when I'm 35, even though I take care of myself?"
Well, welcome to the club. And before you feel embarrassed to ask whether aesthetic medicine is just "something for celebrities with weird faces" or if it's real medicine... breathe. Here we're going to speak clearly, like friends, and I'll answer all those questions that start with "Is it true that...?" or "Isn't it too expensive?"
1️⃣ It's real medicine → Performed by registered doctors with specific training in minimally invasive techniques.
2️⃣ It's not the same as plastic surgery → Aesthetic medicine doesn't cut, doesn't require an operating theatre or hospital admission.
3️⃣ Risks exist, but they're rare → In expert hands, serious complications affect less than 0.01% of patients.
4️⃣ It's not just for women or the rich → More and more men are accessing these treatments, and prices have become more democratic.
🔍 Use the table of contents to navigate over 80 questions about definition, treatments, safety, risks, prices and everything you need to know before deciding.
📑 Table of Contents
Aesthetic medicine is the branch of medicine that uses non-surgical medical procedures to improve, restore or maintain physical appearance. We're talking about hyaluronic acid fillers, botulinum toxin (Botox), thread lifts, chemical peels, laser, etc. Its motto: "improve without cutting".
The uncomfortable truth: in most countries (including Spain and Latin America) it is not an official speciality via medical residency. However, there are 2-year university master's degrees for doctors, and scientific societies endorse the training. It is an added competency, not a "specialist" title like cardiology, but that doesn't mean any doctor can do it without specific training.
More and more men are coming to clinics (and with very good judgement). Today, men represent between 20-30% of patients in many clinics. The most sought-after treatments by men are: eliminating frown lines ("people say I look angry"), removing under-eye bags and defining the jawline with hyaluronic acid.
Very simple: plastic surgery goes to the operating theatre, uses a scalpel, general or deep local anaesthesia and has long recovery times (rhinoplasty, facelift, tummy tuck). Aesthetic medicine is done in a consultation room, with needles or laser, you walk out and the next day you resume normal life.
Plastic surgery is performed to restore function and normal appearance and correct deformities caused by trauma, medical conditions or birth defects. Cosmetic surgery (a subspecialty) is performed to improve aesthetic appearance by remodelling normal anatomy. Aesthetic medicine is a less invasive level.
No, but they go hand in hand. Dermatology treats skin diseases (severe acne, psoriasis, skin cancer). Aesthetic medicine treats the appearance of healthy skin. A dermatologist can practise aesthetic medicine (and many do), but an aesthetic doctor cannot treat severe psoriasis. Be careful not to confuse them.
Only a registered doctor (with a medical degree) can diagnose, indicate and perform invasive procedures. The most qualified doctors are usually:
- Dermatologists
- Plastic surgeons
- Doctors with an official Master's in Aesthetic Medicine
A nurse can collaborate under direct medical supervision, never on their own. An aesthetician without a medical degree should never inject or use medical lasers.
It depends on the country. In Spain, it is regulated by regional laws. However, there is a problem: many intruders (people without medical degrees) operate in low-cost clinics. Statistics show that 82% of claims for necrosis in rhinoplasty managed judicially end with a favourable resolution for the patient.
Keys to identifying a serious clinic:
- Doctor with visible specific training (registered)
- Use of recognised brands (Juvederm, Restylane, etc.)
- Good attention and consultation time (not 5-minute consultations)
- Real before/after photos (not catalogue images)
- Possibility of post-treatment follow-up
- Detailed informed consent (specifying risks like necrosis)
- The centre has hyaluronidase available for emergencies
| Treatment | What it's for | Approximate duration |
|---|---|---|
| Botulinum toxin (Botox) | Expression lines (frown lines, crow's feet, forehead) | 4-6 months |
| Hyaluronic acid (fillers) | Volume in lips, folds, cheeks, chin | 6-18 months |
| Thread lifts | Mild sagging (facial oval, eyebrows) | 12-18 months |
| Chemical peels | Spots, texture, luminosity, acne | Cumulative result |
| Laser (CO2, fractional, IPL) | Spots, rejuvenation, scars, hair removal | Variable |
| Mesotherapy | Hydration, luminosity, hair loss | 3-6 months |
| PRP (platelet-rich plasma) | Rejuvenation, alopecia, scars | 6-12 months |
| Polynucleotides / Exosomes | Cell regeneration, skin quality, alopecia | 6-12 months |
Exosomes are microscopic vesicles that act as "cellular messengers", transporting proteins, lipids and genetic material between cells. They are the future of regenerative medicine. In aesthetics, they:
- Stimulate natural collagen production
- Improve skin firmness and elasticity
- Deeply hydrate
- Reduce inflammation
- Stimulate hair growth
They are applied via mesotherapy with micro-needles. They are the "super regenerative cocktail" revolutionising skin care.
From age 18. Before that only with specific medical indication (scars, mild malformations). For anti-ageing treatments, starting from age 30-35 is usually more reasonable. There is no upper age limit: you can start at 60 if you are healthy. But remember: starting young (preventive) usually gives more natural and longer-lasting results than waiting to correct major deterioration.
Not chemically. Aesthetic medicine is not heroin. There can be psychological dependence if there is an underlying body image disorder, but most patients use it in a balanced and responsible way.
One patient had her lips done once, liked it, and now gets a little hyaluronic acid every 18 months. Addiction? No. Another person gets something different done every 3 months searching for impossible perfection. That's an underlying psychological problem, not chemical addiction.
It's not synonymous with low self-esteem: many people with good self-esteem simply want to look their best. Studies show that aesthetic medicine improves quality of life. People who correct a protruding ear, a facial scar or wrinkles that added 10 years to their appearance… improve their confidence and even their work relationships. It's not frivolity. It's feeling good in your own skin.
1️⃣ Poor medical judgement: excess fillers, bad technique, low-quality product.
2️⃣ Body dysmorphia: the patient asks for more and more, and the unethical doctor agrees.
A good aesthetic doctor won't let you leave with a weird face. The goal is for people to say "you look well-rested!" or "have you lost weight?", not "what have you had done?".
The philosophical question with humour. A patient once asked me: "Doctor, isn't it better to accept old age?" I replied: Do you use moisturiser? Do you cut your hair? Do you wear nice clothes? That's also "unnatural" if taken to the extreme. Aesthetic medicine is a tool, not a declaration of war on ageing. You can age wonderfully without it, or use it to feel better. Both options are valid.
Treatments performed by qualified doctors with quality products have a very high safety profile. Serious risks are extremely rare (less than 0.01% in expert hands), but they exist (as with any medical procedure). That's why choosing the right professional and product is key.
The most common complications include pain, ecchymosis, haematoma, oedema and erythema in the treated area, which usually resolve within a few days.
- Fillers injected into blood vessels that travel to the brain
- Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction)
The greatest real risk is ending up with necrosis (dead skin) on the nose or lips if an intruder injects incorrectly. That's why we insist: doctor only.
According to a study analysing 89 cases of ocular complications, 29.2% of patients suffered central retinal artery occlusion, with vision loss. 14.6% of patients had been treated by non-medical personnel.
Necrosis is tissue death due to interruption of blood supply. It occurs when product is injected into a blood vessel, obstructing it. High-risk areas include the nose, glabella and periorbital area. Warning signs include:
- Intense, immediate pain during or after injection
- Skin pallor that evolves to bluish or greyish colouration
- Delayed capillary refill after digital pressure
- Appearance of reticular patches
If detected early, hyaluronidase (minimum 500 IU) must be administered immediately to dissolve the product and restore blood flow.
Yes, most. Hyaluronic acid (80% of fillers) can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. Within 24-48 hours it disappears. Botox wears off in months. Thread lifts are not reversible, but they are reabsorbed. Complications like necrosis must be treated with hyaluronidase immediately.
If the doctor acted badly (without informed consent, bad technique, unauthorised product or without being a doctor), yes. If you simply don't like the result but it was well done, it's more difficult. Emotional regret is not malpractice.
The general period for claiming is one year from stabilisation of the sequelae. Compensation for necrosis can range between €20,000 and €150,000 depending on the severity of aesthetic, functional and psychological damage.
The price difference is usually due to:
- Product quality: top-brand hyaluronic acid vs generic
- Doctor's experience
- Clinic location
- Post-treatment follow-up
- Guarantees and availability of hyaluronidase
Original Botox costs the same for everyone; if it's much cheaper (£50), it's fake or poorly diluted. Saving money here can be very costly (literally). Statistics show that centres complying with safety requirements have 95% fewer serious complications.
| Treatment | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Botox (one area) | £130-260 |
| £220-350 | |
| £300-520 | |
| £85-175 | |
| £70-220 | |
| £130-260 | |
| £175-350 |
No, except in cases of reconstruction after illness or accident (breast cancer, burns, trauma). Cosmetic aesthetic medicine is 100% private. Private insurance may cover some treatments if medically indicated (e.g. hyperhidrosis with Botox), but not the aesthetic part.
A branch of medicine that uses non-surgical techniques to improve appearance through treatments like Botox, fillers, laser or thread lifts.
Plastic surgery operates (scalpel, operating theatre, general anaesthesia). Aesthetic medicine treats without cutting, with needles or laser, without hospital admission.
No. Only a registered doctor can perform invasive procedures. An aesthetician can do superficial cosmetics, never inject.
Not chemically. There can be psychological dependence if there's a body image disorder, but it's not addiction in the medical sense.
Generally no. Very low prices usually mean non-medical staff, fake or diluted products, and high risk of complications.
It's extremely rare if performed by a qualified doctor. Most reported deaths occur at the hands of intruders or with illegal products.
Yes, they dissolve within 24-48 hours with an injection of hyaluronidase. Hyaluronidase is a safe enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid.
From age 18 for specific cases. For anti-ageing treatments, from age 30-35 is usually more reasonable. No upper limit.
No, except for reconstruction after illness or accident. It is a private treatment.
It depends. Poorly controlled diabetes, active lupus, tendency to keloids or recurrent infections may be contraindications. Always inform your doctor.
Go to A&E if serious, then complain to the centre in writing and contact the medical board. Always keep the informed consent form.
No. It is complementary. A good routine of cleansing, hydration and sun protection is the foundation.
Of course. Diet, exercise, sleep, mental health and sun protection are the pillars. Aesthetics is an extra, not an obligation.
Exosomes are microscopic vesicles that act as "cellular messengers" transporting growth factors between cells. They are applied via mesotherapy to regenerate skin and hair.