Retaining the professionalism of cosmetic dermatology

Abstract

Dermatology is one of the oldest specialties in medicine with both Old and New Testament biblical accounts of skin disease and healing. The leper, the psoriatic, and the patient covered with furuncles are all vividly described within its pages. Dermatology is also one of the most versatile areas within medicine with the ability to care for both sexes of all ages using both medical and surgical therapies. No other “specialty” retains such a generalization of skills. This tremendous variety within the specialty is in large part due to the innovations of cosmetic dermatology. Cosmetic dermatology has added many invasive and minimally invasive procedures to the traditional medical dermatology therapeutic armamentarium. Yet, recently, a number of challenges have arisen to the professionalism of cosmetic dermatology. I would like to address some of these issues. My first concern is that the skin care industry in general has recognized the value of a dermatologist evaluating or recommending their product offerings. For this reason, many products now bear the labeling “dermatologist recommended.” While there are no guidelines currently in place to specify exactly what dermatologist recommended means, there should be some implied professionalism behind this statement. In my opinion, dermatologist recommended should mean that an advisory board of cosmetic dermatologists with clinical and research expertise in the product area to be evaluated assemble and collectively discuss the merits of the technology. If the product is intended for global distribution, then the advisory board should be composed of an international selection of cosmetic dermatologists representing every continent where the product is to be sold. This is advantageous both for the dermatologist and the manufacturer. It raises the professionalism of the dermatologist-recommended claim and helps the manufacturer identify possible product problems or discover novel product improvements. My second concern regards the desire of some skin care marketing companies to link their product with the name or face of a well-respected dermatologist. While this may at first seem like a desirable relationship, I believe it detracts from the professionalism of cosmetic dermatology. In most cases, the dermatologist did not develop the products or perform any clinical testing. Usually, the dermatologist is hired as a spokesperson with little or no actual product use experience. It is impossible to be an objective professional and function as a spokesperson simultaneously. Thus, skin care marketing companies should realize that the promising career of a young cosmetic dermatologist could be ruined by a spokesperson role. Cosmetic dermatologists that have functioned as prominent spokespersons are rarely called upon to take the podium, since their objectivity from that point forward remains in question. Lastly, many cosmetic dermatologists are hesitant to become involved in clinical research because the time spent seeing patients is financially more productive. Involvement in clinical research is rewarding to both the specialty and the physician. It is only through clinical research that new products and procedures enter our specialty. Furthermore, it is the interest in further knowledge that prevents the cosmetic dermatologist from loosing interest. Physician burn out is quite common after 10–15 years in many areas of medicine. This need not be the case in cosmetic dermatology where something is always in the offering due to the outcomes of successful research. The Journal invites you to submit your original observations, ideas, and research to be considered for publication during the next year. One of the major goals of the Journal is to maintain the professionalism of cosmetic dermatology through the exchange of ideas and spread of knowledge. The professionalism of cosmetic dermatology can be maintained and enhanced by lending credence to the phrase “dermatologist recommended,” carefully separating professional roles from marketing roles, and publishing the results research activities. The Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology is dedicated to preserving the professionalism of cosmetic dermatology.