Aesthetic Medicine for Beginners: The Complete Starter Guide

In recent years, aesthetic treatments have become more widely accepted, more types of treatments keep appearing, and prices are no longer out of reach. Even as the field grows, many people still hold back for fear of side effects. This article is a starter guide for beginners. It introduces treatments suitable as a first step, stresses the importance of choosing the right treatment and the right doctor and clinic, and finally answers common questions.

What Is Aesthetic Medicine?

Aesthetic medicine refers to all medicine related to improving appearance. Qualified doctors use medical techniques such as surgery, medication, medical devices, and biotechnology materials to perform invasive or non-invasive procedures that improve the body's appearance, rather than to treat disease. Everything from major reconstructive surgery (such as breast augmentation and liposuction) to scar removal, hair removal, and wrinkle reduction counts as aesthetic medicine.

Common Types of Aesthetic Treatments

Treatments fall into 3 main categories based on how invasive they are

1. Light- and energy-based treatments: lasers, ultrasound, radiofrequency, picosecond lasers, and more

2. Injectable treatments: botulinum toxin or filler injections (such as hyaluronic acid and collagen)

3. Cosmetic surgery: procedures that require local or general anesthesia (such as breast augmentation, liposuction, and rhinoplasty)

A Beginner's Guide to Getting Started

First, identify your own needs and goals, and do not have a procedure just for the sake of having aesthetic medicine. Second, choose a suitable doctor and clinic. We suggest reading other people's reviews online or on forums such as Dcard, and you can also consult several clinics to compare. If you choose a major cosmetic surgery, be sure to consult a qualified doctor and review the doctor's past cases, and learn the details of the treatment's results, risks, and recovery period. Do not simply chase the best value for money: if a procedure fails, it is your own body that is harmed, and the damage may even be irreversible.

Common Beginner-Friendly Treatments

1. Injectable Treatments

Hyaluronic acid filler: Most commonly used to fill hollows in the skin, smooth deep and fine lines, and firm and lift the facial contours. It is highly safe, shows results immediately, has no downtime, lasts 6-18 months, and has no side effects.

Botulinum toxin: Used to smooth wrinkles, slim the face, lift, slim the calves, and treat excessive sweating and body odor. The duration differs for each treatment. It is highly safe, has no downtime, and takes little time.

AestheFill: Addresses facial hollows and lines and stimulates collagen growth. The course is about 3 sessions, 4-6 weeks apart, and results last up to 2 years. No massage is needed after the procedure, and it can be customized to address your facial concerns.

2. Lasers

Triton hair removal: Hair removal is the first step into aesthetic treatments for many people. Among the many hair removal devices, Triton is the least painful, suits any skin and hair color, needs fewer sessions, is highly efficient, and has a skin-brightening effect.

Discovery Pico: Treats dull skin, enlarged pores, pigmentation spots, pitted acne scars, and fine lines, and can remove tattoos. Downtime is about 7-10 days, treatments can be done about every 4-6 weeks, and it stimulates collagen production.

3rd-Generation StarWalker PQX: Treats spots and pores, acne scars and fine lines, brightens the skin, removes tattoos, and addresses vascular lesions, redness, and acne. Downtime is as short as 1 day, rebound darkening after treatment is unlikely, it can improve multiple skin concerns, and results show the next day.

3. Radiofrequency

Morpheus8 microneedling RF: Improves fine lines, hollowed and sagging skin, and cellulite, giving firmer, lifted skin with fewer wrinkles. Downtime is about 3-5 days, results are visible right after the treatment, and each area takes about 20-30 minutes.

Thermage FLX: Heats the tissue to stimulate collagen production, reducing wrinkles and fine lines. Results last 1.5-2 years, there is no downtime, and it suits the whole face and body.

4. Ultrasound

Doublo ultrasound lifting: Improves aging and laxity of the skin, skin texture, drooping eyelids, and contour firmness. There are no wounds and no downtime, results last about 1-2 years, and the effect is immediate.

Ultraformer MPT (4th generation): Besides lifting the face, it also firms the waist, abdomen, and thighs and can reduce waist circumference by 2 cm. The circular probe can be paired with the manufacturer's patented DSB serum infusion, which delivers serum deep into the skin while firming and lifting, for both brightening and hydrating benefits.

5. HydraFacial

HydraFacial suits everyone and every skin type and can improve skin conditions (spots, fine lines, pores, blackheads, acne, and more). A skin analyzer first assesses your skin type and concerns, then the treatment cleans out pore debris and infuses serums. It is affordable, shows immediate results, and can be combined with other skin treatments.

Choosing the Right Treatment

Choosing the right aesthetic treatment means weighing many factors, including your needs and goals, budget, how long results last, and downtime. We suggest booking a clinic consultation first, so a doctor's professional advice and evaluation can guide you to a suitable treatment. In addition, consultations at NAISS CLINIC are completely free, and you can book through our fan page or by calling NAISS CLINIC.

Blackheads: HydraFacial

Pores and spots: Discovery Pico, 3rd-Generation StarWalker PQX

Skin firming: Morpheus8 microneedling RF, Thermage FLX, Doublo ultrasound lifting

Collagen injections: Hyaluronic acid filler, Ellansé, Sculptra

Aftercare and Precautions After Treatment

Many treatments come with precautions afterward, for example: after Triton hair removal, do not over-wipe the treated area; after StarWalker PQX, do not use skin care products containing whitening agents, alcohol, or acids for 1 week; and so on. In addition, some people cannot have certain treatments, for example: people prone to keloids or with severe skin inflammation in the treatment area cannot have Thermage FLX, and pregnant or breastfeeding women cannot have some treatments. Before booking, we suggest looking up related information online or telling your doctor in advance, and the doctor will decide whether you can have the treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is there an age limit?

According to regulations from Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare, minors under 18 cannot undergo aesthetic treatments.

2. Can I have the treatment right after the consultation?

Yes. When the clinic books your appointment, it reserves treatment time for you, except for major cosmetic surgery.

3. Is the consultation free?

Each clinic sets its own fees. Consultations at NAISS CLINIC are completely free.

4. How do I book?

You can call the clinic directly or send a private message to our official social media account to book.

5. Treatment Suggestions by Age Group

Ages 20-30: We recommend hair removal, laser light therapy, and HydraFacial to get started

Ages 30-40: We recommend injectable treatments (hyaluronic acid, botulinum toxin, and more)

Ages 40 and above: We recommend ultrasound and radiofrequency lifting

For surgical procedures, we advise consulting based on your own needs, so we do not make recommendations here

Before stepping into aesthetic treatments, the most important thing is to choose the treatment that suits you, understand the features and precautions of each, and choose a doctor and clinic you trust. Only when you understand everything can you find your own beauty and confidence. We hope this article gives aesthetic medicine beginners a useful guide and helps you understand how to get started!