do you know the difference between a plastic surgeon and an aesthetic/cosmetic doctor?
Last week we read in some newspapers that in the new series of The Sky is the Limit there is also a "plastic surgeon" interviewed.
However, it turns out that this is not a plastic surgeon but a cosmetic doctor.
... Isn't this the same thing?
1. WHat is the difference between a “plastic surgeon” and an “aesthetic/cosmetic doctor”?
- A "Plastic Surgeon" is an officially protected title that may only be used by doctors who, in addition to their training as a basic doctor (6 years), have followed an additional university specialization of 6 years as a Plastic Surgeon. This title is therefore a kind of hallmark in plastic surgery.
- A "Cosmetic/Aesthetic Physician/Surgeon" is not an official title and may be used by any physician, whether or not they have received any additional training for this.
Click here for further explanation of the difference between a "Plastic Surgeon" and a "Cosmetic/Aesthetic Doctor/Surgeon".
2.WHY IS THIS DIFFERENCE RELEVANT? WHO IS ALLOWED TO DO WHAT ABOUT AESTHETIC TREATMENTS?
1. NON-DOCTORS (BEAUTICIAN, NURSE, HAIRDRESSER,...).
- They are not allowed to perform medical procedures such as Botox, Fillers, Dermaroller, Plasmalift, Suspension threads (wire lift), deep peeling, tattooing,... not even under the supervision of a doctor (confirmed again by the Supreme Health Council in June 2022).Also a Medical Needling (with needles with a certain depth) should only be done by a doctor.
- If they do, they are punishable. As a "patient" you are then completely left to your own devices. So be careful and only go to a doctor for these treatments.
- Read here further information about which aesthetic treatments are prohibited for non-doctors (beauticians, hairdressers, nurses,...).
... Can every doctor also perform any aesthetic treatment?
2. WHAT CAN WHICH DOCTOR DO?
- The "Plastic Surgeon" is the only one who is allowed to perform all aesthetic treatments (non-surgical + surgical) all over the body. Surgical treatments are surgeries (e.g. an eyelid correction); Non-surgical treatments include wrinkle injections with fillers or muscle relaxants.
- Other "physician-specialists" may also advertise that they do "aesthetic surgery" but may only do so for the part of the body in which they specialize. Example: an ophthalmologist may only do this for the region of the eyes (and may therefore, for example, perform an eyelid correction but not breast augmentation).
- The "doctor-specialist dermatologist" is only competent for: the non-surgical aesthetic treatments all over the body + a number of listed surgical treatments.
- The "cosmetic/aesthetic doctor" who is only a basic doctor ("general practitioner") (i.e. not a doctor-specialist as mentioned above) may only perform non-surgical aesthetic treatments over the entire body. They are therefore not allowed (with a few exceptions) to perform surgical aesthetic treatments (e.g. no eyelid correction, no breast augmentation,...).
Click here for the complete list of which aesthetic treatments may be done by which doctor.
3. HOW DO I RECOGNIZE A LICENSED PLASTIC SURGEON?
- A real "Plastic Surgeon" has a NIHDI number ending in 210. You can look up this number for Belgian Plastic Surgeons on the website of the NIHDI. Often this will also be mentioned on the website of the Plastic Surgeon.
3. IS THIS REALLY SO IMPORTANT THAT I CHECK ALL THIS? WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE RISKS?
Actually, the consequences of your choice of practitioner can be very serious.
- Not only may your practitioner lack the necessary knowledge and experience, which puts you at risk of a wrongly chosen or performed treatment.
- Moreover, this person will not be insured for these operations. A doctor or other person (beautician, nurse) who goes beyond their legal authority will also never be covered by their liability insurance (if they already have one).
- Also, this person will often not know what to do in case of wrong treatment, so you are literally left to your own devices.
- Also, be extra careful when traveling outside Europe for your aesthetic treatment and check what the regulations are there. The title Plastic Surgeon is a protected title in Europe but not always abroad.
4. OUR ADVICE
- Always check first what the recognized title of your practitioner is and whether he also has the necessary specializations, experience and education. Am I dealing with a "plastic surgeon" or a basic doctor/physician-specialist who has a particular interest in "aesthetic treatments" (cosmetic doctor/surgeon)?
- In the latter case, it is best to do additional research into the experience and training that this Cosmetic Doctor has in the aesthetic domain: there are cosmetic doctors who have years of experience and continuous training, but you can also deal with someone who has only attended one workshop and has no relevant experience yet.
- It is also the case that a plastic surgeon can go a step higher in the process because he can also offer surgical treatments, for example an eyelid correction as an alternative if a treatment with anti-wrinkle injections no longer gives sufficient results. In addition, a Plastic Surgeon is additionally trained in scar treatment.
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