1. In countries where regulations are well put in place and laws are followed....its very easy to identify professionals. In such countries, it is easy to identify who is a licensed aesthetician and a dermatologist.
2. An aesthetician is a person(does not have to be a doctor) who is trained and certified in providing aesthetic care for the skin while a dermatologist (especially here in Nigeria) is trained to treat all general skin conditions, provide aesthetic skin care,
3. Treat sexually transmitted infections and in some cases surgical dermatology is also inclusive. A dermatologist in Nigeria is usually a Fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College or West African College of Physicians.
4. One of the main issues that has made it difficult to identify true aestheticians is because of charlatans that have no certification whatsoever that have permeated the Nigerian market. And one thing is....anything that promises blemish free skin is often met with approval
5. Whether certified or not. Another problem is that certified aestheticians in Nigeria sometimes bite more than they can chew by taking on general dermatology cases which they're not trained to do. This is what ultimately puts some people in trouble.
6. How then do you know a certified aesthetician?
1) They should be verifiable meaning if they got their certification from a particular school or body, you should be able to check for that school online. This is the internet era. Nothing is hidden anymore.
1) They should be verifiable meaning if they got their certification from a particular school or body, you should be able to check for that school online. This is the internet era. Nothing is hidden anymore.
7. This certificate should be displayed in their workplace in a conspicuous place.
2) When you ask questions, they should be able to answer lucidly and not evade your questions.
3) They should not be treating general dermatology cases.
2) When you ask questions, they should be able to answer lucidly and not evade your questions.
3) They should not be treating general dermatology cases.
8. An aesthetician friend asked me a question recently. She was worried about the fact that she might not be patronized and that the market was becoming saturated. I told her the beauty market is just beginning. Just make sure you're good at what you do and...
9. You don't take on more than you can handle.
A good soldier knows when to fold up and when to fight. Don't go treating what you're not supposed to treat before you get into trouble. That you mix cream does not make you an aesthetician or dermatologist.
A good soldier knows when to fold up and when to fight. Don't go treating what you're not supposed to treat before you get into trouble. That you mix cream does not make you an aesthetician or dermatologist.
10. We like to attach grandiose titles to everything in Nigeria.
As a patient...be vigilant. Be careful who you submit your skin to. Very easy to damage...but repairing that damage takes patience, time and it will cost you even more.
As a patient...be vigilant. Be careful who you submit your skin to. Very easy to damage...but repairing that damage takes patience, time and it will cost you even more.
11. Even as a dermatologist, it's not everything I do. Surgeries close to the eye, LASER are things that I've not been properly trained for yet. Shine your eye o...lest you get badly burnt. A word, they say is more than enough for the discerning wise.
