A practical guide to aesthetic medicine - Beaute Serenite

Techniques and treatments in aesthetic medicine

Aesthetic medicine, as offered by Innerskin centers, offers a wide range of solutions for improving appearance without the need for surgery. From anti-wrinkle injections to laser treatments, each technique is designed to meet specific needs. Let’s explore these options together to understand how they can transform your face and body.

Cryolipolysis uses cold to reduce localized fat deposits. In a single session lasting around an hour, it can eliminate up to 30% of the fat in the treated area. Intense cold (-10°C to -12°C) crystallizes fat cells, which the body then eliminates naturally over 1.5 to 3 months.

This method suits people with moderate, well-localized excess fat, such as love handles, belly fat or back fat. It offers results similar to liposuction without the disadvantages of surgery: no scars, no general anaesthetic, and rapid recovery.

Choosing a qualified practitioner and effective technology is essential to avoid complications, such as damage to surrounding tissue. Results begin to show between 6 and 8 weeks, with a gradual reduction in fat. Several sessions may be required, spaced a few weeks apart.

Cryolipolysis is not a weight-loss solution and is not suitable for people who are severely overweight or have very loose skin. Side effects are generally minimal, including bruising and slight edema. Rare complications such as paradoxical adipose hyperplasia can occur, requiring surgical intervention to correct.

Botox injections use the muscle-relaxing properties of botulinum toxin to reduce the action of forehead and eyebrow muscles. This reduces wrinkles at rest and harmonizes the face. Results are not immediate: the first effects appear after a few days and stabilize in about a week.

Results generally last from 3 to 6 months. To avoid product resistance, space out sessions by 3 to 6 months. The injections are quick, often performed in just a few minutes, and mainly target wrinkles between the eyebrows, on the forehead and around the eyes.

The procedure must be performed by a qualified professional to minimize the risk of side effects such as bruising, redness or headaches. Do not aim for perfection from the very first session: a gradual approach avoids a fixed or overdone appearance. If you stop the injections, the treated muscles will return to their original function.

Hyaluronic acid injections restore volume and improve skin quality without surgery. Used to fill wrinkles, rebalance facial volumes and hydrate the skin, hyaluronic acid offers natural, immediate results. A session takes 10 to 30 minutes, with no special preparation.

Injected products often contain a local anesthetic, making the procedure virtually painless; a lidocaine ointment can be applied beforehand for added comfort. Results are visible immediately, although slight swelling may appear in the hours that follow. Bruising may persist for a few days but is temporary.

The effects last between 6 and 12 months, depending on the areas treated. A new session may be considered every 9 to 12 months to maintain results. Hyaluronic acid injections can be combined with other anti-aging treatments such as botox, lasers, PRP or peels.

Intense pulsed light and laser offer a long-lasting hair removal solution. Laser hair removal, often performed in dermatological practices or aesthetic clinics, is more effective than IPL, available in beauty salons. The laser specifically targets the hair's melanin, destroying the bulb more precisely and powerfully, for fewer sessions, often between 5 and 8.

Intense pulsed light uses a polychromatic flash lamp. It is less intense, requiring up to 12 sessions for similar results. It is better suited to light skin with dark hair, but may be less effective on light hair or dark skin. Sessions are quick and relatively painless, but medical supervision is recommended to avoid the risk of burns or hyperpigmentation.

IPL is generally cheaper per session, but laser, although more expensive, offers longer-lasting results. Choosing between the two depends on your skin type, budget and expectations. Consult a qualified professional to assess which method is best suited to your situation.

Laser tattoo removal uses pulses of light to fragment tattoo pigments into microscopic particles, which the body then eliminates naturally. The most commonly used lasers are Q-switched and picosecond. Q-switched is effective for black and dark-colored tattoos, while picosecond is faster and can treat a wider range of colors, including lighter, more resistant shades.

The process requires several sessions, generally between 6 and 10, spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart to allow the skin to recover. Sessions last from 10 to 30 minutes but can be slightly uncomfortable; an anaesthetic cream can be applied to minimize pain.

Side effects are generally minor: redness, swelling and sometimes scabs, which disappear within a few days. Choose a qualified practitioner to avoid the risk of burns or changes in skin pigmentation. Protect the treated area from the sun and follow the post-treatment recommendations.

Mesotherapy involves injecting small quantities of active substances directly under the skin, at different depths according to need. It can revitalize the skin, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, or brighten up a dull complexion. A session lasts around 20 minutes and requires no special preparation.

The injected products, often a mixture of hyaluronic acid, vitamins and minerals, stimulate collagen production and improve skin hydration. Side effects are generally minimal, limited to slight redness that disappears within a few days.

Treatment takes place in cycles of 3 to 5 sessions spaced two weeks apart, with maintenance sessions every six months. Mesotherapy is suitable for all skin types and can also be used to treat cellulite, sagging skin and even hair loss. Choose a qualified practitioner, as poor technique can lead to complications.

Hair transplant redistributes existing, healthy hair to balding areas. The hair is taken from a donor area, usually at the back of the head, and then re-implanted in the balding areas. Among the various methods, FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) is particularly popular: it extracts follicular units containing 1 to 3 hairs without leaving visible scars.

Results are natural, and hair regrowth generally begins a few weeks after the procedure. The ideal age is around 35, when androgenic alopecia is well established, but each case is unique and a consultation with a specialist is essential to determine the right time.

Benefits include aesthetic enhancement, increased self-confidence and customization of the treatment. Possible complications include redness, swelling and temporary sensory disturbances. Make sure the doctor is qualified and experienced, and check qualifications and reviews from previous patients. Costs may vary, but prioritize quality of care to guarantee satisfactory, lasting results.

Les traitements ciblés du visage s'accompagnent volontiers d'un soin maison, comme pourquoi utiliser un sérum contour des yeux au quotidien.

La médecine esthétique propose des techniques non invasives comme la cryolipolyse, le botox, l'acide hyaluronique, le laser, la mésothérapie ou la greffe de cheveux, avec des résultats visibles rapidement mais temporaires.

Qualifications and training of aesthetic medicine practitioners

Becoming an aesthetic medicine practitioner starts with a minimum of eight years of medical studies. Doctors must then register with the French Medical Council (Conseil de l'Ordre des Médecins) to practise legally.

Training continues throughout a career. Aesthetic medicine evolves constantly, with new techniques and technologies appearing regularly, so practitioners follow specific training courses. Institutions such as CIME (Centre International de Médecine Esthétique) offer continuing education programs covering practical and theoretical skills, from hyaluronic acid and botox injections to laser techniques.

Specialized training. AMIR Médecine Esthétique's courses target doctors already qualified and registered with the Ordre des Médecins. In less than a year, they lead to a European diploma with 60 ECTS credits, taught by experienced lecturers with practical sessions on real patient models.

Specific university degrees cover sub-fields: the DUMEG focuses on intimate surgery, the DUMAA on anti-aging medicine, and the DUTIC on botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid injections. These diplomas let practitioners specialize and offer more targeted treatments.

Training is not limited to doctors. Aesthetic medicine assistants can follow programs such as DUAME, which train them in injectable reconstitution and medical equipment management.

Appreciating practitioners' rigor and expertise means understanding their qualifications and training. It is equally important to distinguish this specialty from cosmetic surgery, which is often confused with it.

The difference between aesthetic medicine and cosmetic surgery

Aesthetic medicine and cosmetic surgery are often confused, but they differ fundamentally in their approaches and objectives. Aesthetic medicine relies on non-invasive, in-office treatments, with no need for general anesthesia or convalescence. Techniques include botox injections, hyaluronic acid injections, laser treatments and mesotherapy. These procedures correct superficial defects, improve skin appearance and offer temporary, reversible results.

Cosmetic surgery involves more extensive surgical procedures, often under general anaesthetic, with a post-operative convalescence period. Procedures such as facelifts, rhinoplasties and breast implants enable more radical and lasting corrections. A facelift can smooth out deep wrinkles and restore facial firmness for a decade or more, but these procedures carry surgical risks and require a longer recovery period.

Aesthetic medicine suits those who want subtle, gradual improvements without the inconvenience of surgery. It treats specific areas such as superficial wrinkles and pigment spots, or restores volume to lips and cheeks. Results are quickly visible, often from the very first session, but they are temporary and require maintenance sessions.

Cosmetic surgery is recommended for more extensive and lasting transformations, to correct significant physical defects or for results that cannot be achieved by non-invasive methods. For example, a person with very loose skin after significant weight loss might opt for a facelift rather than filler injections.

Consulting a qualified professional is essential to determine which option is best suited to your needs. A good practitioner will assess your situation, discuss your expectations, and advise you on the best approach to achieve your aesthetic goals.

Avant d'envisager une solution, mieux vaut comprendre les causes des vergetures sur la peau pour choisir l'approche adaptée.

Why have aesthetic medicine?

More and more people are turning to aesthetic medicine, for reasons that are both physical and psychological.

Appearance enhancement. Aesthetic medicine corrects facial and body defects without surgery: reducing the effects of aging, erasing acne scars or treating skin problems such as eczema. The solutions are numerous and suit every need.

Rejuvenation. Techniques such as botox or hyaluronic acid injections offer rapid, natural results. In just a few sessions, you regain smoother, firmer skin and a visibly rejuvenated face, without general anaesthetic or long recovery periods. Procedures are minimally invasive, often painless, with short, light after-effects.

Correction of minor body defects. Cryolipolysis reduces localized fat deposits without surgery, and laser treatments remove unwanted tattoos or achieve long-lasting hair removal. These techniques offer a non-invasive alternative to cosmetic surgery, with rapidly visible results and lower risks.

Psychological impact. Improving your appearance can considerably boost self-esteem and self-confidence, at work, in society or in your personal life. Aesthetic medicine erases complexes that can be a real barrier to well-being.

Wide accessibility. There is no specific age at which it can be used, even if preventing the signs of aging is often more effective than correcting them. Procedures are reversible, allowing treatments to be adjusted over time. General practitioners, dermatologists and aesthetic surgeons can practice aesthetic medicine, provided they have undergone specific training, which guarantees serious medical supervision and safe results.

But what about the professionals who perform these procedures?

Pour prolonger au quotidien les effets d'un teint rajeuni, un sérum au rétinol pour une peau plus radieuse complète utilement les soins en cabinet.

How much does an aesthetic doctor earn?

The salary of an aesthetic doctor varies considerably depending on several factors. On average, it ranges from 4,000 to 17,000 euros per month. This wide range reflects the practitioner's experience, geographical location and the type of practice.

Location and reputation weigh heavily. A doctor starting out in a small town will not earn as much as an experienced practitioner in a major metropolis or a well-known clinic. A well-established doctor with a loyal clientele and positive reviews attracts more patients and increases his or her income.

Career development also matters. A cosmetic doctor may work in a hospital, open his or her own practice or set up a clinic, and each option offers different income prospects. Opening your own clinic may require a significant initial investment, but the potential gains are often higher in the long term.

Some aesthetic physicians diversify by teaching or taking part in conferences. This increases their income and enhances their reputation in the field.

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