Ethical Concerns in Dermatology and Cosmetic Applications

Abstract

Our aim in this article is to consider ethical concerns and sensitivities in Dermatology and Cosmetic applications. It is appropriate for dermatologists to make cosmetic applications and use artificial intelligence aid as experts who know the structure and diseases of the skin best. The practice of cosmetology by physicians other than dermatologists creates ethical problems. Women are especially more interested in dermatology. Body dysmorphic disorders are more common in women. When dermatologists evaluate the cosmetic dermatology patient and create a treatment plan, if there are unrealistic expectations, the patient should be guided correctly by considering the patient's wishes. Social media applications, which have attracted attention in recent years, have caused an increase in body dysmorphic disorders in individuals. Cosmetology is a division that can never be separated from dermatology. Patients frequently apply to cosmetic dermatology because of hyperpigmentation problems, aging problems, hair problems, toxin applications, dermal filler procedures, chemical peels, and mesotherapy, and ablative laser procedures. Burns resulting from laser epilation applications performed in aesthetic centers, complications such as tissue necrosis caused by dermal filler procedures performed by non-physicians, cosmetic problems, soft tissue infections, and allergic reactions resulting from applications such as mesotherapy and platelet-rich plasma are diseases frequently seen in dermatology outpatient clinics. Another important issue is the materials used in platelet-rich plasma, mesotherapy, toxin application, and dermal filler applications must be in the Class 3 Medical device category. Patients who apply to clinics for treatment should be made aware of this issue and patients should be protected from the complications that these medications may cause. Physicians should not use products that do not have class 3 certificates in cosmetic dermatology to keep the cost of the product low, especially when choosing materials. In medicine, there is always an aesthetic concern beyond technical or even scientific concerns. We think that it is necessary to express and elaborate on the concerns arising from the ethical issues that are experienced or may be experienced in dermatology practices. Physicians always try to take the patient's psychological and pathological problems into consideration. However, ethical concerns should not be forgotten when treating the field of aesthetics.