Aesthetic medicine, cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery
Aesthetic medicine, cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery are often used as synonyms, but they are not the same. They differ in whether surgery is involved, in their purpose (improving appearance or repairing a defect) and in which professional may perform them. In Spain, these differences are set out in the regulations governing healthcare centres.
What aesthetic medicine is
Aesthetic medicine covers non-surgical medical treatments that aim to improve the appearance of the face or body: botulinum toxin (Botox), hyaluronic acid fillers, skinboosters, medical peels, laser, mesotherapy or thread lifts, among others. They are performed in a consulting room, usually without general anaesthesia and with a short recovery.
Spanish regulations define the aesthetic medicine unit (named U.48 Cosmetic medicine in Royal Decree 1277/2003) as one in which a doctor is responsible for performing non-surgical treatments aimed at improving facial or body appearance. Aesthetic medicine is not an official medical specialty in Spain, but it must always be performed by a registered doctor, in a healthcare centre authorised for that activity.
What cosmetic surgery is
Cosmetic surgery is surgery performed to improve appearance in healthy people: rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, liposuction, blepharoplasty, facelift and so on. It involves an operating theatre, anaesthesia (local, sedation or general) and a longer recovery.
Royal Decree 1277/2003 defines the U.47 Cosmetic surgery unit as one in which a specialist in Plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, or another surgical specialist within the scope of their specialty, performs surgical treatments aimed at improving body, facial or hair appearance. For example, a maxillofacial surgeon may operate on the face and an ophthalmologist on the eyelids, within their specialty.
What plastic surgery is
Plastic surgery is the short name for the official medical specialty Plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, obtained after specialist (MIR) training in Spain. It covers both cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery: surgery that corrects congenital malformations and the after-effects of accidents, burns, tumours or disease, such as breast reconstruction after cancer, cleft lip or skin grafts.
The regulations define the U.46 Plastic and reconstructive surgery unit as one in which a specialist in Plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery surgically corrects congenital, acquired, tumour-related or involutional processes that require repairing superficial structures affecting the body’s form and function.
Differences between aesthetic medicine, cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery
| Aesthetic medicine | Cosmetic surgery | Reconstructive plastic surgery | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surgery? | No | Yes | Yes |
| Purpose | Improve appearance | Improve appearance | Repair form and function |
| Who performs it | A doctor | Plastic surgeon or another surgical specialist within their field | Plastic surgeon |
| Healthcare unit (RD 1277/2003) | U.48 | U.47 | U.46 |
| Examples | Botox, hyaluronic acid, peels | Rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, liposuction | Breast reconstruction, burns, cleft lip |
How to check that a clinic and a doctor are authorised
Before any aesthetic medicine or cosmetic surgery treatment, it is worth checking three things:
- That the clinic is authorised as a healthcare centre by its regional health authority, with the corresponding unit (U.48 for aesthetic medicine, U.47 for cosmetic surgery). Authorised centres have a healthcare registration number that they should display.
- That the person treating you is a registered doctor, which can be checked in the register of the provincial medical association.
- That the surgeon has the appropriate specialty for the operation proposed.
A beauty salon without healthcare authorisation may not perform medical treatments such as Botox or hyaluronic acid injections.