How to protect medical professionals from unrealistic expectations of clients in corrective dermatology?

摘要

Today's society is characterized by a desire to achieve and maintain youthful appearance, and both men and women are increasingly seeking for cosmetic enhancement. Corrective dermatology is one of the fields dealing with such clients. Corrective dermatology interventions include chemical peels, fillers, botulinum toxin, laser treatments, mesotherapy, etc. Although clients are usually satisfied with the outcome of these minimally invasive cosmetic interventions, there are some people that have unrealistic expectations of the outcome. Moreover, there is a particular subgroup of people that appear to respond poorly to cosmetic procedures and are never satisfied with the outcome. These are usually people with the psychiatric disorder known as 'body dysmorphic disorder'. The major challenge for the physician in corrective dermatology is detection of the clients with unrealistic expectations towards the aesthetic procedure they have decided to undergo. Therefore, medical professionals who practice corrective dermatology should have a serious, non-profitable approach and select their clients carefully. High quality training in aesthetic procedures, knowledge of the possible complications and the ability to address them properly, along with the obligatory informed consent including photodocumentation, should be the framework of good practice. This is also the best way to protect medical professionals from unrealistic expectations of their clients.