What is my take on being a cosmetic physician?
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Embracing Confidence: The Role of a Cosmetic Physician in Harmonising Internal and External Identity
In a world that celebrates individuality, it’s natural to seek alignment between how we feel internally and how we present ourselves externally. As a cosmetic physician specialising in minimally invasive procedures, my goal is to support patients in achieving this harmony with care that is safe, ethical, and personalised. This area of medicine is highly unique as it represents the intersection between internal wellness and how this is reflected in our appearance.
Veritas Identitas or shortened to 'Vi' is latin for truth in identity, and is a concept that underpins my approach to this industry. The face and appearance you put forward is often the first form of non verbal communication that occurs in social interactions. Being able to trust that your external appearance matches your internal vibrant and energetic self means 'positive' or 'optimal' social interactions are achieved with less resistance. You feel you can contribute and be valued in society, and society can see that in you.
As a non-essential medical service (meaning you will not have a deterioration in health if you do not receive the treatment), it is important to constantly review your whys for accessing treatment and what is realistically achievable. There has been a significant evolution within our industry as we move from augmentation and conformity to appreciating seamless work that focuses on your natural appearance and the appearance of health / wellness.
Cosmetic medicine could be considered as an emerging field of regenerative medicine, the idea that we provide the system with the necessary tools to maintain an appearance that is not tired, stressed or sick looking.
The field is under going a drastic change in the treatments offered and the frequency of which they are offered, with a less is more approach being considered a reflection of a skilled practitioner rather than someone who provides numerous (more frequent than 3 monthly) expensive treatments.
What Does a Cosmetic Physician Do?
As a practitioner in this field, I focus on non-surgical techniques that are minimally invasive (aka no scalpels) to enhance or refine certain physical features to maintain an individuals vibrancy and health in their appearance. My focus specifically targets the localised tissue changes associated with ageing, with a comprehensive approach that includes:
- Volume changes: Addressing volume loss in fat pads and muscles to restore balance and structure.
- Skin quality: Managing changes in pigmentation, texture, and turgor for healthier, more resilient skin.
- Extracellular matrix quality: Enhancing the skin's nourishing bed, which holds water, collagen, and elastin, and supports the cellular and vascular structures from bone to skin.
- Addressing inefficiencies: Mitigating damage caused by overdeveloped muscle groups that wear on skin, bone, and fat pads.
- Ageing systems: Recognising that the aged appearance is an accumulation of changes across multiple systems and focusing on holistic solutions.
- At Home protocols and education: supplements, diet, exercise, sleep, the foundations of health are a large conversation point during our consults as the response to treatment is dictated by the capacity within the system. A stressed, under nourished, chronically sleep deprived system will not be able to respond as effectively or maintain the results as well as someone who is optimised in these domains. Education in this area is very important to me.
By understanding the underlying "why" behind these changes, I develop individualised treatment protocols and programmes. These involve both in-clinic treatments and at-home strategies designed to promote self-healing pathways and reduce the severity and frequency of damaging events. The aim is to achieve and maintain a healthy, balanced appearance—one that does not look stressed, tired, worn, or unwell.
The Power of Minimally Invasive Procedures
Minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, such as dermal fillers, anti-wrinkle treatments, and skin rejuvenation therapies, offer a gentle yet effective way to address aesthetic concerns. These treatments often require little to no downtime, making them an appealing option for those with busy lifestyles. The focus is always on enhancing, never altering, the unique features that make each person who they are.
A Patient-Centred Approach
Every patient’s journey begins with a thorough consultation. This is where we discuss your goals, assess your unique facial structure, and explore treatment options tailored to your needs. My practice prioritises open communication, empowering patients with the information they need to make confident, informed decisions.
Ethical and Professional Standards
As a medical professional, my practice adheres strictly to the ethical standards outlined by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). These regulatory bodies guide the safety, transparency, and professionalism of every treatment I provide.
- Safety comes first: Every procedure is performed in a clinical setting using approved products and techniques that prioritise patient well-being.
- Transparency in expectations: Prior to treatment, patients are consented not only for the procedure but also for the financial and time commitments involved. Aesthetic treatments are a non-essential service, and it’s important that your treatment plan evolves based on your unique response to different tools, life stressors (such as illness, work, or financial changes), and shifting priorities. Efficiency and efficacy are always at the forefront of my focus.
- Prioritising health: Your physical and psychological health is always considered before any treatment. As a practitioner, I take seriously the ethical obligation to say no when a treatment may not be in your best interest, no matter how appealing it might seem.
Both patients and practitioners in the aesthetic field must also be aware of certain biases that can impact decision-making:
- Bias towards over-treatment: The financial incentive in this industry can push some practitioners towards recommending excessive treatments, while the psychological dopamine hit patients experience during treatments can create a cycle of overuse. Would you continue to go to a mechanic for an oil light that keeps turning on but never recieve education about why this is occurring? It is no different with your aesthetic, if you keep attending the same clinician to address tiredness or crepey skin yet regress within a couple of months, the underlying why needs to be expl
- The risks of over-treatment: Over-treatment often results in unnatural outcomes, such as “pillow faces,” excessively frozen and expressionless features, or results that do not align with the individual’s natural appearance. We’ve all seen these results, both in colleagues and in patients, and they stand as a cautionary tale. Exceptional work should be seamless and natural, while work that is rushed or cheap is usually obvious and far from effective in addressing underlying issues.
- Realistic timeframes: Results that are immediate or rapid often fail to address the root causes of ageing within the system. Patience and a focus on long-term improvements are key to achieving exceptional outcomes.
By maintaining these standards, I aim to ensure that every treatment enhances your natural beauty in a way that is both ethical and sustainable.
Building Confidence, Not Conformity
The driving philosophy of my practice is that cosmetic procedures are not about fitting into a societal mould but about achieving personal alignment. When patients feel their external appearance reflects their internal sense of self, it can boost self-esteem and promote a positive outlook on life.
A Commitment to Ongoing Care
Cosmetic enhancements are part of a journey, not a one-time fix. I believe in building long-term relationships with my patients, providing follow-up care, and adjusting treatments as needs evolve. This ensures a natural and balanced appearance over time.
If you’ve been considering minimally invasive cosmetic treatments, I’m here to provide compassionate care grounded in professionalism and collaboration. All initial consultations are 60 minutes to obtain a thorough history and examination and to allow me to develop a personalised in clinic and at home treatment plan. I treat areas including upper face, eyes, mid face, jawline, neck and body. Some treatments can be offered on the same day, others will require treatment planning to minimise down time and risks.
My patient demographic is typically people aged 40 - 70 years, both men and women. Their journey is as follows:
1. The first 12-24 months are what I consider the repairing / recovery stage. You have presented with concerns ('injuries' to your system) that are now visible, not only do we need to repair the underlying damage, but we need to allow time for the system to rebuild in these areas. You will typically see me every 3-4 months. Full blood work, DNA tests, imaging, supplementation, guideline driven medical support and compounded skin care are often incorporated during this stage. In clinic I will use a range of tools to rebuild collagen, hydration, volume within the supporting structures, and to address ageing signs in the skin. Investment in this first 12-24 months can range from $4000 annually up to $10,000 annually before entering into maintenance.
2. Maintenance period is typically achieved between 12-24 months depending on the individuals baseline and external stressors (i.e ability to respond to treatment). In maintenance you will see me every 3-12 months where investment is typically $1200 - $2000 per session, or $3800 - $10,000 annually depending on the number of areas needing treatment. If you dont need a treatment, you dont recieve it. My goal is that you only trust me with your aesthetic, where I can 'downsell' and save you $$ I will.
Collaborative management of your internal health is maintained through GPs and relevant specialists, 6-12 monthly blood work and reviews are conducted during this period as needed.
3. Acute repair treatments: life happens. significant stressors can cause unexpected regression in treatments and may require a short period of increased number of treatments to re-establish the desired baseline. Sleep deprivation, severe stress or illness are common causes. Hence my focus on education around maintaining internal wellness to minimise the impact of 'life happens' events and reducing time required to recover your baseline.
4. If I cant, I know someone who can. I am fortunate to be supported by a number of exception doctors in medicine and the aesthetic industry, if I dont believe that I can achieve the result you desire, I will do my best to link you in with an appropriate practitioner. I believe in abundency over scarcity- your results and satisfaction are my bottom line.
Disclaimer: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Results may vary between individuals.