Everyone wants to look his or her best. Despite generations of parents who have insisted on repeating the truism, ”Pretty is as Pretty Does,” when the question of one’s appearance arises, it is a simple fact that good looks contribute significantly to one’s sense of well-being and the quality of life. And although cosmetic appearance is often thought of as a matter of luck or, more drastically, of plastic surgery, medical science nowadays can offer a lot more options in the pursuit of beauty.
The field of medicine that deals particularly with cosmetic appearance is called medical esthetics. (“Esthetics” is a term that is applied to the study of beauty.) It includes, but is by no means limited to, plastic and reconstructive surgeons and dermatologists, who are licensed medical physicians. But one doesn’t have to go to medical school to practice medical esthetics.
Nurse practitioners, known as “nurse estheticians,” can follow courses such as those offered at the medical esthetics school Chicago, where training is available in such practices as chemical peels, ultrasound therapy, and other cosmetic interventions. There is a variety of programs offered by these schools, of varying lengths and focus; all are designed to teach students to make significant contributions to the health and well-being of society as a whole.
Medical estheticians offer a variety of beneficial treatments. They can, of course, treat the wrinkles and liver spots that routinely occur in the aging process. But their services go far beyond this point. Take the treatment of obesity, for example. When a person has lost a lot of excess weight, he or she may have a problem with loose skin or pockets of fat that cannot be dieted away. Cellulite may also be involved.
A licensed medical esthetician can improve these conditions through a variety of non-intrusive means, such as body wraps and massage. And then there’s the benefits that medical esthetics offers in the treatment of the skin. A huge element in one’s cosmetic appearance is played by the complexion, of course; but blotchy skin color, depressions or obtrusions caused by scars or other blemishes and by unsightly facial hair can all cause major problems in a person’s sense of well-being.
Medical estheticians are trained at facilities such as the esthetics school Chicago to apply the latest scientific breakthroughs in dealing with these conditions. Another important area of skin therapy lies in the treatment of acne. While many of us think of acne as a necessary evil of adolescence, the presence of pimples, blackheads, and the resulting scars can radically affect a young person’s social development. And acne is not always limited to the young; there are plenty of mature adults who have to wrestle with it on a daily basis.
In addition to counseling programs and hygiene training, medical esthetics has developed laser and exfoliation treatments that are highly effective in helping deal with this prevalent disease.
It’s clear that the field of medical esthetics is a widening one, offering exciting careers for those committed to making a difference in life.