How can consultation with dermatologists help me?

Today there is so much interest in cosmetic dermatology that many patients suffer from what I call cosmetic confusion. They read beauty magazines and books on procedures and products leading to confusion and sometimes overspending. So my advice is to see a dermatologist who can help you spend your beauty bucks wisely. A dermatologist will create an individualized skin care program that will take into account your skin type, any pertinent skin conditions and your life style. By combining the right products and the right procedures this program will improve both the health and beauty of your skin. 

Once you've located one or two candidates, schedule a consultation. You won't insult one physician by meeting with another before you make a decision. Speaking with more than one doctor is important and accepted protocol. (Consultations can be expensive. You might ask the doctor if you can apply the consultation fee toward your first treatment if you schedule it within two weeks.) There's no reason to downplay the choice of who will best be able to artfully and safely inject fillers or Botox into your face or help you decide between a chemical peel and laser resurfacing. You have to feel confident about a doctor's experience and comfortable with him or her as a person. If a doctor doesn't give you more than a few minutes of time, doesn't thoroughly explain procedures or their side effects, treats you with condescension, or won't answer all of your questions thoughtfully, that's a sign to move on to another doctor. Any cosmetic procedure is significant and serious enough to warrant a doctor's listening to your concerns and addressing them. Also examine the office: Is the space clean? Is the staff professional and well organized? Remember, when it comes to cosmetic rejuvenation, it's rarely a one-shot deal.

Besides exemplary medical experience, another important qualification for a cosmetic dermatologist is aesthetic skill. Working with injectables is an art.

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