Requirements: As a cosmetic doctor, you need to be passionate about making people feel good and be open-minded to all sorts of new technology and equipment. You also have to be ethical, make the right judgment and have good communication skills. You have to explain the treatment to your patients so they know exactly what you are doing to improve their looks.
Qualifications: Dermatology is a specialist branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases. Cosmetic doctors make the skin look better. Before you become a cosmetic doctor, you need to be a licensed medical practitioner. For that, the basic requirement is a five-year course in medical school, along with a 12-month apprenticeship.
Dr Grace Lam Si-wen has post-doctorate training in dermatology. Lam completed her medical degree in Hong Kong, and two years later, left for Britain to study for a diploma and master's degree in dermatology. She says doctors in Hong Kong don't need specialist qualifications to treat skin problems. However, such qualifications can help attract more patients, and doctors can charge more for their services.
To become a registered specialist in dermatology in Hong Kong, you require at least six extra years of in-hospital training to be eligible for exams conducted by the Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom, Fellowship of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (internal medicine) and Fellowship of the Hong Kong College of Physicians.
Average pay: A doctor without a specialist qualification who is hired by a medical group can earn about HK$50,000 a month. On the other hand, a registered specialist can make about HK$80,000 a month; the more clients they attract, the bigger the bonuses they receive from the group. But it is different for those who own a clinic because income will then depend solely on how many clients they have.
Work prospects: Lam says hands-on experience is crucial, so it would be ideal to work with an experienced practitioner at the beginning.
Beginners may have to start working for clinics or medical groups, and it could be years before they are able to set up their own clinic.
