Dermatologist or Aesthetic Doctor in SG: Which One to See?
It would be a dream come true to have blemish-free skin for a lifetime. However, that’s not always the case—you need to deal with acne, dark spots, and even dry skin.
If you want to enhance your appearance, it’s also important to have healthy skin. So where will you go if that’s the case?
To answer that, you need to start looking for different skin specialists in your area. But knowing how tricky that would be, we’re here to lessen the trouble and help you sort out whether you need to see a dermatologist or an aesthetic doctor in Singapore.
An Overview of Dermatologists
Basically, a dermatologist is a medical doctor who specialises in hair, nails, and skin.
That said, they identify and treat specific skin conditions. They also have extensive training and are also qualified to conduct invasive and non-invasive procedures.
PROS
Qualified to Diagnose
With years of medical school and residency, dermatologists are qualified to diagnose and treat a variety of skin conditions. They can recommend a personalised skincare routine based on your skin type and medical history.
They also have a good eye when it comes to spotting anomalies appearing on your skin. What may seem like a usual mole may be an indication of something more serious, and they can help you with that.
Focuses on the Healthier Side of the Skin
Because dermatologists are experts of the skin, they strongly give attention to its healthier side. This means that they don’t only focus on the appearance, but they also take their time to examine the state of your skin.
A dermatologist can treat complex issues like skin cancer and infections as well. In fact, they can also administer skin biopsies and the removal of warts and cysts.
CONS
Performs Much Intense Procedures
Now, this is not really a disadvantage if you look at it, but dermatologists do perform “intense procedures” that sometimes scares people. While unpleasant, it may be necessary to the patient’s condition.
Some of those major procedures are skin surgery, radiation therapy, and biological therapy. So if you only need a minor procedure done like getting double eyelids, then you should consider seeing a doctor specialising in aesthetics.
May Need a Referral
When it comes to seeing a dermatologist, some specialists may require a referral from a GP first. While plenty of private clinics don’t always need a referral, it’s best to double check with the clinic prior to scheduling an appointment.
On one hand, if you’re a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, you can have subsidised care from the National Skin Centre. However, you’ll still need a referral from a polyclinic in order to make use of it.
An Overview of Aesthetic Doctors
When it comes to enhancement, aesthetic doctors are medically-trained professionals who can cover the bases, from treating scars to removing excess fat in unwanted places.
They also offer services that focus on mild to moderate skin issues. Mostly though, they offer different aesthetic procedures, such as liposuction, plastic surgery, and even breast implants.
PROS
Provide Treatments to Improve the Look and Feel of Skin
Treatments provided by aesthetic doctors are helpful and even fun at the same time. They actually provide skin analysis in order to help you understand what skin type you have.
Aside from the enhanced look that they could give you, they also make sure that your skin will feel extra smooth. With their help, achieving that glass skin may seem possible now compared to before.
No Referrals Necessary
One major advantage of choosing an aesthetic doctor is that you don’t need to have a referral in order to go to one. You can just freely go to any clinic of your choice and have your desired procedure done.
That’s a major thing because there will be less work on your part too. You may even wake up one day and simply decide that you want to have a non-surgical nose job, and they can just pitch right in and do it right away—less pain and no downtime.
CONS
Services Geared Toward Enhanced Cosmetic Appearance
Well it’s not really an indication of something bad, aesthetic doctors do really focus on enhancement and what we call as making someone “more aesthetically pleasing.”
Although that’s their line of work, you might reconsider if you’re experiencing something more serious.
Further, some aesthetic doctors may even suggest that their client should consult a dermatologist first, especially if they recognize that the issue is rooted deeply on the layer of the skin.
Focuses on the Surface of the Skin
There are only two stages when it comes to taking care of your skin, that’s the outside and the inside. As aesthetic doctors, they deal with the cosmetic side or the outer portion of your skin.
However, they can still treat your skin issues through simple treatments. But remember that they can’t do more or dive deep down once the problem is no longer on the visible surface of your skin.
Which one should you see?
Here’s the catch, depending on what skin flaws you have, you may even need to see both a dermatologist and an aesthetic doctor. In fact, both of them are actually licensed to take care of your skin.
A dermatologist is capable of prescribing you sets of medications. Meanwhile, an aesthetic doctor can check and discover the problem and come up with a treatment plan.
They are both highly capable, but they can do so to different extent. So when it comes to the whole dermatologist versus aesthetic doctor debate, it all settles down to what you really need.