A Guide to Doctor Credentials and Why They Really Matter

Pro status.

By Olivia Wohlner, Editorial Assistant · Apr 11, 2022

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This article first appeared in the Spring 2022 issue of New Beauty. Click here to subscribe

With so many aesthetic terms, experts and offerings, what is a patient to do? Step one: Find a specialist with proper certification who is in good standing. These experts prove that qualifications and training do matter.

All aesthetic experts complete four years of college, and the core four specialists pass a specialty-specific exam of medical knowledge, clinical knowledge and skills to become board-certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Cosmetic dentists do not receive board-certifications, but still belong to certain elite medical societies.

1 / 5

Dermatologist

Training and Experience:
• 4 years of medical school
• 1-year medical or surgical internship
• 3-year residency specializing in skin disease and surgery
• Optional 1–2 year fellowship for MOHS surgery and procedural dermatology

Board Certification:
American Board of Dermatology

Societies:
• American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
• American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS)

“I have lectured on every continent except Antarctica.” —Montclair, NJ dermatologist Jeanine Downie, MD

“I enjoy taking care of a wide spectrum of patients.” —Tami Buss Cassis, MD

2 / 5

Cosmetic Dentist

Training and Experience:
• 4 years of dental school
• Additional years of schooling to specialize in cosmetic procedures

Boards & Societies:
• American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD)
• American Society for Dental Aesthetics (ASDA)
• American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS)

“I have done more than 30,000 porcelain veneer procedures.” —Houston cosmetic dentist Guy M. Lewis, DDS

3 / 5

Oculoplastic Surgeon

Training and Experience:
• 4 years of medical school
• 3-year residency
• 2 years of advanced fellowship training in ophthalmic, plastic, orbit and reconstructive surgery

Board Certification:
American Board of Ophthalmology

Society:
• American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS)

“I am very active in ongoing education and attend several major meetings per year to keep up with all the latest technology.” —Woodbury, NY oculoplastic surgeon David Schlessinger, MD

4 / 5

Plastic Surgeon

Training and Experience:
• 4 years of medical school
• 6 years of plastic surgery training or 2 to 5 years of surgical residency and 2 to 3 years of plastic surgery residency

Board Certification:
American Board of Plastic Surgery

Societies:
• The Aesthetic Society (ASAPS)
• American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)

“I have a clinic, medical spa and surgery center all under one roof.” —Reno, NV plastic surgeon Tiffany McCormack, MD

5 / 5

Facial Plastic Surgeon

Training and Experience:
• 4 years of medical school
• 1 year of general surgery training
• 4 years of otolaryngology (head and neck) surgery training
• 1 year of additional plastic surgery training for the face and neck (for some)

Certification:
• American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto)
• American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS)

Societies:
• American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS)
• American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto)

“I have narrowed down my expertise and now specialize specifically in facial rejuvenation” —New York facial plastic surgeon Dilip Madnani, MD