We know that many different types of providers are performing cosmetic procedures, from Botox injections to various injectable fillers to lasers and even more invasive procedures.
We see the advertisements and hear the stories from our patients and friends, so we understand that it can be confusing for the public to determine who is best suited to provide cosmetic procedures. In California, physicians (MDs, or medical doctors, as well as DOs, doctors of osteopathy, and even some dental specialists such as those with a DDS or DMD) are technically allowed to perform certain types of cosmetic procedures. Physician extenders, such as Nurses (R.N., B.S.N., L.P.N.), Nurse Practitioners (N.P.), and Physician Assistants (P.A.) also are technically allowed to perform various procedures depending on their degree, training, and the degree of physician oversight (technically all of these providers require some degree of physician oversight).
We know it’s confusing to see all these degrees and letters thrown around and then try to figure out which practitioner is the right choice! To make things even more confusing, some physicians not trained in dermatology call themselves “dermatologists” because they perform aesthetic (cosmetic) procedures. Some of these physicians are board certified in some specialty and some are not. Some have had training with companies that sell cosmetic supplies, and thus advertise to be “expert injectors” or are certified by those companies to teach others how to do these injections. This “certification” just means that the company making the product deems this person had completed training to perform this procedure, but does not mean that person is necessarily fully trained in handling complications or other skin conditions, and there is no governing body overseeing this designation.
So, while many health care practitioners can legally perform a procedure given the proper supervision, you may ask who actually is trained to perform cosmetic procedures as measured by the strictest national and state standards?
These would be board certified physicians who have specifically done specialized training in Dermatology or one of the specialized fields of Surgery (including Plastic Surgeons and some ENTs with Facial Plastic Surgery expertise).
How do you know if your provider has this training? Look them up! You can check out the doctor’s website and look at their credentials first, then make sure they are licensed in your state by checking your state’s medical board website. You can then check if they are indeed board certified through the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Dermatologist who are board certified are members of the American Board of Dermatology. Both Drs. Fardin and Smith are board certified dermatologists. Remember, it matters which field a doctor is board certified in, so be sure it is in a specialty properly trained to perform cosmetic procedures!
Once you’ve found someone with the proper credentials, then you can make sure he or she does indeed perform the procedure you’re considering and that he or she is comfortable with the procedure. After all, although all board certified dermatologists may get training in sclerotherapy or hair transplantation or other cosmetic treatments, not all choose to actually perform that procedure. Ideally look for someone who not only performs the procedure, but who does it often and is good at what they do!