THEY’VE GOT THE SAME
MISSION (TO KEEP YOUR SKIN AS
GLOWY AS JASMINE TOOKES’) and
they prescribe similar remedies (cleansers,
serums and creams), but just like bronzing
and contouring, dermatology and skin
therapy are not the same thing. From
their settings (office space vs. candle-lit
hideaway) to their specialities (disease
treatment vs. facials), dermatologists and
skin therapists have more differences than
Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf, which can
make knowing which one to see a difficult
task. Confused? Don’t be – we’ve got the
lowdown on who to call riiight here.WHAT’S THE DIFF?
According to dermatologist Dr Natasha
Cook (drnatashacook.com), the main
difference between the two pros is that
a dermatologist is a doctor and a skin
therapist isn’t. “Dermatologists complete
a six- to eight-year medical degree and
gain experience in hospitals through
internships and residencies,” she explains.
“They do everything from dealing with
accident emergencies to surgical and
medical rotations and, after that, they must
be admitted into the dermatology speciality
training program – which is another four to
five years of study – in order to be certified.”
While dermatologists specialise in the
diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases
(and can prescribe medication and perform
invasive surgeries), a skin therapist’s focus
is more on skin-integrity management
and non-surgical treatments, says Jodie
King, skin therapist and owner of Skin
Clinic@Blyss (skinclinicblyss.com.au).
Before they’re allowed in the treatment
room, skin therapists must have completed
a Diploma in Applied Science, undertaken
a four-year beauty therapy apprenticeship
or completed a bachelor’s degree in dermal
therapies. While they’re not doctors like
the derms, they’re still able to assist in the
management of common skin problems.COMPLEXION PRO:
SKIN THERAPIST
What do they do? “A skin therapist is
able to assist with acute and chronic
conditions by offering facial treatments
that maintain healthy skin,” King explains.
While dermatologists are able to perform
invasive treatments, skin therapists work
with topical treatments to improve the
appearance of the skin, combating ageing,
uneven skin texture, acne and scarring
with facials, peels and laser therapy.“Therapists can offer detailed advice
on skincare routines and can offer less
invasive treatments for chronic skin
conditions, such as acne, if you don’t want
to use prescription medication,” adds King.
While therapists can’t offer medical-grade
advice, King points out that since they
work with it every day, a qualified therapist
will know how far to push your skin and
how well it’ll heal. “We prefer not to cause
too much inflammation and will try to
limit the downtime for the client.”
What happens in a sesh? Once you
make your way to the treatment room
(which is often kitted out with tranquil
tunes, lavender-scented candles and
dim lighting), you’ll be asked to fill out
a consultation form. “This will give us
an idea of your medical history, pasttreatments and your skin goals,” says King.
After that, your therapist will assess your
skin, discuss treatment options, perform
your chosen service and then suggest
specific at-home care so you can stay
glowing post spa visit.
The bottom line: Whether you’ve got
acne, rosacea or fine lines, booking a visit
to your local skin therapist can give your
complexion a mighty leg up. Compared
to a derm, you’ll get more one-on-one
time and your treatment will often be
carried out in a more relaxed setting,
but they won’t be able to nix any severe
or chronic skin woes.COMPLEXION PRO:
DERMATOLOGIST
What do they do? Think derm, think skin- but that’s not where their knowledge
ends, says Dr Cook. “A dermatologist is
a specialist in the body’s biggest organ,
the integumentary system, which involves
skin, hair and nails.” Since they’re medically
trained, dermatologists can do everything
from skin-cancer checks and surgery to the
management of medical conditions such
as rosacea, eczema and psoriasis. “There’s
also the cosmetic component,” adds Dr
Cook, which sees dermatologists using
active topical ingredients to rejuvenate
the skin; light therapy to treat sun damage,
capillaries and pigmentation; and lasers
to reduce fine lines and scarring.
What happens in a sesh? First up,
you’ll have a one-on-one consultation
with your derm to discuss your skin issues.
They’ll ask for your complete medical
history and then assess your skin, often
relying on magnifying tools to see what’s
really happening under the layers.
Once your dermatologist has
pinpointed the issue, they’ll formulate
a treatment plan. “Derms are trained in
all things skin and have access to all forms
of treatments,” notes Dr Cook. “If you’re
really inflamed, they can put you on oral
anti-inflammatory medication, or, if
you’re sensitive and dehydrated, they
can prescribe you something to settle
the skin and treat the dehydration.”
The bottom line: Dermatologists are your
one-stop shop for anything skin-related.As trained medical doctors, they can
identify your skin ish, administer the
most effective treatment and also
give you health tips on how to heal
yourself from the inside out. “If you’ve
got rosacea, for example, we can tell
you how to manage redness by eating
certain foods and avoiding the wrong
kind of exercise,” says Dr Cook.
As well as having access to all forms
of available treatment, a dermatologist
will educate you on the best way to care
for your skin at home because, as Dr
Cook says, “I don’t want my clients coming
back if they don’t need me – it’s a waste
of their time and their money.”BETTER TOGETHER
Can’t decide between a derm and a skin
therapist? Look for a clinic that has both.
According to King, skin therapists will
often work within a dermatology practice
since the two professions complement
each other. “The dermatologist will treat
any skin diseases, while the therapist will
deliver aesthetic treatments such as peels,
facials and lasers,” she says.
Having access to both a derm and
a skin therapist can provide you with
optimum results, agrees Dr Cook, as
your dermatologist will have more time
to spend on the serious issues (such as
skin cancer and surgery), while your skin
therapist handles the non-invasive
treatments. It’s a win-win!“The dermatologist will treat any
skin diseases, while the therapist
will deliver aesthetic treatments”
womensfitness.com.au womensfitnessaustralia @womensfitnessmag @womensfitnessau 117WORDS
JAYMIE HOOPER
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