MSc in Cosmetic and Aesthetic Medicine

Module 1 - Anatomy, Physiology and Professional Issues

1. Anatomy of the face: skin, muscles, fat pads, blood vessels, nerves, bones.

2. Physiological changes and ageing.

3. Facial assessments and treatment planning.

4. Ethics in aesthetic practice.

Module 2 - Toxin Treatments

1. History of botulinum and botulism.

2. Pharmacology and licensing of botulinum toxins.

3. Patient selection, injection techniques, safety, adverse effects.

4. Managing complications and combination treatments.

Module 3 - Dermal Fillers

1. Facial fat pad anatomy and ageing effects.

2. Hyaluronic acid fillers: types, duration, complications.

3. Non‑HA fillers: temporary, permanent, synthetic, autologous.

4. Region‑specific applications (lips, hands).

Module 4 - Skin Treatments

1. Skin anatomy, physiology and ageing

2. Environmental damage: sun, smoking, lifestyle factors

3. Fitzpatrick skin types and UV effects

4. Ablative and non-ablative treatments: lasers, IPL, dermal peels

Module 5 - Hair Disorders

1. Hair growth cycles, colour variations, follicle anatomy

2. Medical conditions linked to unwanted hair

3. Laser and IPL hair removal methods

4. Hair loss patterns, non-surgical and surgical treatments

Module 6 - Other Aesthetic Approaches

1. Physiology of ageing: hormonal changes, menopause, andropause

2. Hormonal replacement, nutrition, vitamins, and exercise strategies

3. Platelet-rich plasma, injection lipolysis, derma-rollers, micro-needling

4. Ultrasonic therapies and radio frequency

Module 7 - Research Methodologies and Critical Appraisal

Module Aims
This module is designed to help students recognise, understand, interpret and apply methods used in healthcare research and critically appraise the various methodologies specific to cosmetic research.

Module Content
1. Terminology used in epidemiology and research studies such as prevalence, incidence, sensitivity, specificity, false positive and false negatives.

2. Interpreting graphical representation of epidemiological and statistical data such as Kaplan-Meier Curves, Forrest Plots and Meta-analyses.
3. Calculations used in the assessment of research data such as relative risk, absolute risk, number needed to treat.
4. Statistical tests and their applications including t-Tests, ANOVA, Chi-Square.
5. Qualitative research methods.
6. Fundamentals of evidence-based practice and its application into the clinical setting.
7. Principles of health economics, audit and quality improvement/assurance systems.
8. Establishing patient registers and the value of disease specific registers.
9. Research into educational principles for both healthcare practitioner and patient.
10. Understanding what may work for the patient as well as the educator.

Learning Outcomes

1. Analyse and interpret research in cosmetic medicine.

2. Display a critical understanding of the clinical implications of research and its impact upon healthcare delivery and service development.

Module 8 - Professional Project

Module Aims

1. Develop an ability to critically evaluate areas of professional practice.

2. Critically appraise specific areas of clinical, research and organisational practice.

3. Develop skills in independent research and study.

4. Develop skills relevant to scientific publications.

Module Content
The module will depend on the creation of a piece of work based upon a specific clinically related project relevant to the student’s practice.

This project may comprise:

1. Literature review and appraisal of the evidence.

2. Audit of practice including organisational or clinical.

3. Review and implementation of evidence-based practice.

4. Qualitative or quantitative research (formal research involving human subjects is not anticipated).

5. Case(s)-based and quality of service review with critical appraisal.

6. Case report, review of literature and organisational assessment.

Learning Outcomes

1. Design and undertake research and development in order to produce an extensive piece of literature which may be suitable for peer-reviewed publication.

2. Critically evaluate practice and suggest improvements or change.

3. Incorporate knowledge of the research process in developing services appropriately.