Patients sometimes confuse aesthetic doctors with dermatologists and they are usually surprised to learn that there are in fact only 132 dermatologists in the whole of Singapore. Please refer to http://www.dermatology.org.sg/about-us/member-dermatologists/ for the list of dermatologists who are members of Dermatological Society of Singapore (DSS). Differences include the following:
- Differences in qualifications
Becoming an accredited dermatologist/ skin specialist in Singapore requires at least 6 years of post-graduate training after medical school, of which the last 3 years involve intensive and specialist training in all areas of the skin, hair, nails and sexually transmitted infections. Many dermatologists have FAMS (Dermatology) as part of their qualifications. Such specialist accreditation is similar to other specialists in their fields, for example a cardiologist is a specialist for the heart and an obstetrician is a specialist in childbirth.
An aesthetic doctor, on the other hand, is usually a general practitioner, who has an interest in the aesthetic improvement of the skin but has not undertaken the specialist training nor received the specialist accreditation. Aesthetic medicine is currently not recognised specialty in Singapore. An aesthetic doctor may have attained certificate, diploma or masters courses that often involve online or distance learning. Qualifications such as Dip Derm (Diploma) or MSc Derm (Masters) which some aesthetic doctors possess do not mean specialist accreditation in Dermatology.
The public can also check against the Singapore Medical Council website https://prs.moh.gov.sg/prs/internet/profSearch/main.action?hpe=SMC by typing the name of the doctor to view if the type of register the doctor is registered under (medical practitioner vs medical practitioner and specialist). However in this link, the type of specialist is not specified.
- Differences in range of conditions treated
A dermatologist is trained to expertly treat the following:
- Any patient young or old with a skin problem
- Any medical issues involving skin, hair or nails
- Any aesthetic issues involving the skin, hair or nails
- Any sexually transmitted infections
Most dermatologists will have further subspecialty training and interest in various areas such as skin cancers, skin surgeries, paediatric dermatology, aesthetics, venereology, immunological diseases of the skin, drug eruptions, dermatopathology etc.
The bulk of an aesthetic doctor’s practice is targeted at aesthetic improvement of the skin.
- Differences in additional courses required
Dermatologists can carry out aesthetic procedures such as lasers, chemical peels, botulinum toxin injections and fillers as part of their daily practice without the need for further certification as adequate training and experience will have been gained during their specialty training and as part and parcel of their work.
However, aesthetic doctors need to complete Certificate of Competency Courses in order to carry out aesthetic procedures such as lasers, peels, botulinum toxin injections and fillers in their clinic. These half-day Certificate of Competency Courses for various aesthetic/ cosmetic procedures are provided by the Dermatological Society of Singapore with National Skin Centre for general practitioner who wish to perform aesthetic procedures which require certifcation.
- Should you see a dermatologist or an aesthetic doctor?
In general, a patient with a serious medical or surgical skin problem should seek help from a dermatologist as they have the specialist training and experience to treat a much wider range of skin related issues and illnesses.
If a patient has an aesthetic problem, a dermatologist or a trained / certified experienced aesthetic doctor can help.
Dr Lim Yen Loo, on behalf of Dermatology Society of Singapore