DoktorClub · Patient Information
Before you make an aesthetic decision, hear it from a physician.
Ad-free, independent information on medical aesthetic treatments, written and reviewed by physicians. Nothing is sold here — we help you ask the right questions and decide safely.
I am researching a treatment Botulinum toxin, fillers, laser, peels, PRP…I have a concern Pigmentation, wrinkles, sagging, hair loss…Safety first Choosing a clinic, warning signs, who may treat you
Before any treatment: a 10-point checklist for choosing a clinic and physician
Open the checklistTreatment Guides
See all · 14 articlesTreatment GuidesBotulinum Toxin (Commonly Called “botox”): What It Is, Who It Suits and What to Watch ForHow botulinum toxin works, who it suits, how the procedure is done, its side effects and when to see a physician. A patient guide.Treatment GuidesHyaluronic Acid Filler: What It Is, How It Is Done and What the Risks AreWhat hyaluronic acid filler is, who it does not suit and how it is done. Expected side effects, signs of vascular occlusion and realistic expectations.Treatment GuidesLaser Hair Removal: How It Works, Who It Suits and What to Watch ForHow hair reduction with laser and IPL works, why skin and hair colour matter, how many sessions are needed and what the risks are. A patient guide.Treatment GuidesChemical Peels: What They Are, Who They Suit and What Recovery InvolvesThe differences between superficial, medium and deep chemical peels, recovery times, risk of pigment spots, who needs caution and aftercare advice.Treatment GuidesPRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma): How Effective Is It for Skin and Hair?What PRP is, how it is prepared, what the evidence says for hair loss and skin, and who should avoid it. A plain, referenced guide for patients.Treatment GuidesMesotherapy: What Is It, What Is It Used For, and What Does the Evidence Say?What mesotherapy is and how effective it is for skin and hair: the limits of the evidence, risks of unknown mixtures and possible side effects.Treatment GuidesThread Lift (Non-Surgical Facial Lifting Threads): Who Is It For, How Long Does It Last, and What Are the Risks?What a thread lift is, who it suits, how long it lasts: limits of dissolvable threads, possible side effects and a realistic comparison with surgery.Treatment GuidesHIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound): How Effective Is Non-Surgical Tightening?How non-surgical skin tightening with HIFU works, who it suits, how noticeable the results are and what the risks are. A patient guide.Treatment GuidesSkin Booster Injections: What Are They, and Who Are They For?What is a skin booster and how does it differ from filler? Hydrating injections, biostimulators, exosomes, polynucleotides: evidence, risks, expectations.Treatment GuidesFractional Laser: How Suitable Is It for Acne Scars, Wrinkles and Skin Texture?How ablative and non-ablative fractional lasers work, what to expect for acne scars and wrinkles, recovery and pigmentation risk. A patient guide.Treatment GuidesTreatment of Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis): Botulinum Toxin and Other OptionsWhy does excessive sweating happen, and when should it be investigated? Antiperspirants, iontophoresis, medicines, botulinum toxin and more, step by step.Treatment GuidesRadiofrequency Skin Tightening and Radiofrequency Microneedling: What Can You Expect?How do radiofrequency and radiofrequency microneedling work, who are they suitable for, how many sessions are needed, what are the risks? A patient guide.Treatment GuidesLaser Tattoo Removal: How Many Sessions, Which Colours Are Difficult, What Are the Risks?How does laser tattoo removal work, why are many sessions needed, why do colours respond differently, what are the risks? A realistic patient guide.Treatment GuidesCryolipolysis (Fat Reduction by Cooling): Who Is It For, How Effective Is It, and What Are the Risks?How cryolipolysis reduces local fat by cooling, who it suits, when results show, and which side effects and rare risks exist. A patient guide.
Start With a Concern
See all · 7 articlesStart With a ConcernDark Spots and Melasma: Causes, When to See a Physician and What Treatments Are AvailableWhat sun spots, melasma and post-inflammatory spots are, when to see a physician, why sun protection is essential and what treatments are available.Start With a ConcernAcne Scars: Types, Treatment Options and Realistic ExpectationsTypes of acne scars, the difference between marks and scars, treating active acne first, and realistic expectations from laser, peels and microneedling.Start With a ConcernHair Loss: Causes, When to See a Physician and What Treatments Are AvailableCommon causes of hair loss, when to see a physician, which tests are done and what the evidence-based treatment options are.Start With a ConcernDark Circles Under the Eyes: Causes, When to See a Physician and What Can Be DoneWhy dark circles form and when they may signal illness; sun protection, creams, filler, laser and surgical options and their risks.Start With a ConcernRosacea: Symptoms, Triggers and Treatment OptionsWhat is rosacea, what are its symptoms and triggers, which treatments may a physician suggest, laser/IPL, and when to see a physician for eye symptoms?Start With a ConcernCellulite: Why It Happens, What Works, and Which Promises to Treat with CautionWhat cellulite is, why it is so common in women, which methods have limited evidence, what creams and massage can do. Cellulite vs cellulitis.Start With a ConcernThread Veins on the Face and Legs (Spider Veins): Why Do They Appear, and How Are They Treated?Why thread veins form on the face and legs, the link with rosacea, what laser, IPL and sclerotherapy can do, which signs need a vein examination.
Safety Centre
See all · 22 articlesSafety CentreA 10-Point Safety Checklist for Choosing a Clinic and Physician for Medical Aesthetics10 safety questions to ask when choosing a clinic and physician before filler, botulinum toxin or another medical aesthetic procedure.Safety CentreAfter Fillers: When Is It an Emergency? Vascular Occlusion and Other Warning SignsWhich symptoms after filler are normal and which are urgent? Signs of vascular occlusion, vision problems, infection and allergy; what to do first.Safety CentreWho Can Perform Medical Aesthetic Treatments? What You Need to Know as a PatientWho should perform fillers, botulinum toxin and laser? The differences between physicians, specialists and beauticians, and how to check a practitioner.Safety CentreCounterfeit Products and Unlicensed Treatments: Risks, Warning Signs and What to DoRisks and warning signs of counterfeit or unlicensed injectables and of treatments in non-medical settings such as homes or salons, and emergency signs.Safety CentreMedical Aesthetics in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Which Treatments Should Be Postponed, and What Should You Discuss with Your Physician?Why injections, lasers and peels are postponed in pregnancy and breastfeeding, which skin care steps are usually acceptable, which ingredients to discuss.Safety CentreSide Effects after Botulinum Toxin: Drooping Eyelid, Asymmetry, Headache and What to DoSide effects after botulinum toxin: why drooping eyelids or brows, asymmetry and headache happen, how long they last, when to call 112. A patient guide.Safety CentreFiller Complications: Swelling, Nodules, the Tyndall Effect, Late Reactions and Dissolving FillerFiller complications: swelling, nodules, bluish tint (Tyndall), infection, late reactions: how to recognise them and how filler is dissolved.Safety CentreBruising and Swelling: How Long Do They Last after an Aesthetic Treatment, How Can They Be Reduced and When Should You Worry?How long do bruising and swelling last after an aesthetic treatment, how can they be reduced, which signs are not normal? Cold compresses, risks, warnings.Safety CentreBurns and Pigmentation Changes after Laser and IPL: Darkening, Lightening and Scarring — Prevention and What to DoWhy do burns and dark spots occur after laser and IPL, how long do they last? Blisters, darkening, lightening, scars, eye risk: what is normal, what to do.Safety CentreProblems after a Chemical Peel: Prolonged Redness, Dark Spots, Infection and Scarring — What to Do?Problems after a chemical peel: prolonged redness, dark spots, cold sores, infection, scarring. Telling normal healing apart, home care and urgent signs.Safety CentreProblems after a Thread Lift: Dimpling, Palpable Threads, Asymmetry and Infection — What Can Be Done?Problems after a thread lift: dimpling, palpable or protruding threads, asymmetry, infection. What is normal, when to see a physician, what can be done?Safety CentreInfection after Aesthetic Treatments: Symptoms, Cold Sore Flare-ups, Late Infection and What to DoHow can infection after an aesthetic treatment be recognised? Normal redness vs infection, cold sore flare-ups, late infections and when it is urgent.Safety CentreAllergic Reactions in Aesthetic Treatments: Symptoms from Redness to Anaphylaxis and What to DoHow to recognise an allergic reaction in aesthetic treatments: local redness, cream or anaesthetic allergy, fainting, and anaphylaxis needing 112.Safety CentreWhat Should You Do If a Complication Occurs after an Aesthetic Treatment? A Step-by-Step GuideIf a complication occurs after an aesthetic treatment: urgent signs, reaching your physician, photos and product records, second opinions, complaints.Safety CentreLip Filler Complications: Swelling, Lumps, Cold Sores, Filler Migration and Emergency SignsLip filler complications: how much swelling is normal, why lumps and migration happen, how to recognise cold sores and vascular occlusion, what to do.Safety CentreUnder-Eye Filler Complications: The Tyndall Effect, Prolonged Swelling, Visible Filler, Risk to VisionUnder-eye filler complications: bluish tint (Tyndall), prolonged swelling, visible filler, risk to vision; who it may not suit and what to do.Safety CentreRisks of a Non-Surgical Nose Job (Nose Filler): Why Is It Risky, and Which Signs Are an Emergency?Nose filler risks: why the nose is a high-risk area, skin tissue loss and risk to vision, the effect of previous nose surgery, and emergency signs.Safety CentreProblems after HIFU and Radiofrequency: Burns, Numbness, Nerve Effects, Fat Loss — What Can Be Done?Burns, blistering, numbness, an uneven smile and fat loss after HIFU or radiofrequency: what is normal, when to see a physician and what can be done.Safety CentreProblems after Tattoo Removal: Blisters, Skin Lightening, Scarring and Paradoxical Darkening — What Can Be Done?Blisters, crusts, skin lightening, scarring, ink darkening and allergy after tattoo removal: what is normal, when to see a physician, what can be done.Safety CentreProblems after Fat-Dissolving Injections and Mesotherapy: Swelling, Hardness, Infection — When Is It an Emergency?Swelling, hardness, nodules, infection, wounds and an uneven smile after fat-dissolving injections or mesotherapy: what is normal, when to see a physician?Safety CentreComplications of Permanent and Semi-Permanent Fillers: Silicone, Granulomas, Late Reactions and TreatmentPermanent and semi-permanent filler complications: why granulomas, migration and infection appear years later with fillers like silicone, and treatment.Safety CentreProblems after PRP: Bruising, Infection, Risk of Vascular Occlusion and Safety PrecautionsProblems after PRP: how long pain, bruising and swelling last; spotting infection, blood-borne transmission and rare vascular occlusion; prevention.
Guides
See all · 10 articlesGuidesA Guide for First-Time Medical Aesthetic PatientsBefore your first medical aesthetic procedure: deciding, realistic expectations, choosing a physician, consent, aftercare and emotional readiness.GuidesMedical Aesthetics for Men: What Is Different, and What Should You Watch Out For?Medical aesthetics for men: anatomical differences, common treatments, planning for a natural result, choosing a physician and safety, in a plain guide.GuidesAftercare Following Medical Aesthetic Procedures: General Principles and Warning SignsGeneral aftercare principles after injections, laser, peels and device treatments; what is normal, and when to call your physician or 112.GuidesBotulinum Toxin or Filler? The Differences and What Each One Is Used ForBotulinum toxin relaxes muscles; hyaluronic acid filler adds volume. Which is considered for which line, and how do duration, recovery and risks differ?GuidesHIFU or Thread Lift? Comparing Two Non-Surgical Methods for Mild SaggingHIFU aims to tighten with heat, a thread lift to lift with threads. Who they suit, recovery, risks, strength of evidence and realistic expectations.GuidesSkin Care and Medical Aesthetics in Your 20s: What Is Necessary, and What Is Not?Skin care in your 20s: sun protection, acne, a simple routine, why most procedures are unnecessary, and warning signs in social media trends.GuidesSkin Care and Medical Aesthetics in Your 30s: First Lines, Dark Spots and the Right TimingSkin in your 30s: the first fine lines, pregnancy-related pigment spots and melasma, retinoid basics, and when a physician consultation makes sense.GuidesSkin Care and Medical Aesthetics in Your 40s: Volume, Elasticity and Realistic ExpectationsChanges in volume and elasticity in your 40s, the role of skin care, combined approaches and realistic expectations of medical aesthetic procedures.GuidesSkin Care and Medical Aesthetics at 50 and Beyond: Menopause, Skin Cancer Checks and the Right ChoicesSkin after 50: changes that come with menopause, checking moles and spots, why your medicines matter, surgical vs non-surgical options.GuidesReducing the Risk of Complications: 15 Precautions Before, During and After an Aesthetic Treatment15 ways to reduce the risk of complications in aesthetic treatments: physician and facility, medical history, product label, consent, aftercare, warnings.
Rumour or Science?
See all · 9 articlesRumour or Science?Rumour: “Botulinum toxin (commonly called ‘botox’) is poison” — What does the science say?Is botulinum toxin really a poison? A plain guide to dose, why a physician's treatment differs, the real risks and the danger of counterfeit products.Rumour or Science?Rumour: “Botulinum toxin (commonly called ‘botox’) makes your face look frozen” — What does the science say?Does botulinum toxin make your face look frozen? Plain information on dose, injection points, planning a natural result and when a frozen look occurs.Rumour or Science?Rumour: “If you stop fillers, your face will sag more than before” — What does the science say?Does the face sag more than before once you stop fillers? Plain facts on what happens to hyaluronic acid, natural facial ageing and overfilling.Rumour or Science?Rumour: “Collagen supplements get rid of wrinkles” — What does the science say?Do collagen supplements remove wrinkles? The limited effects shown in small studies, industry-funded research and why sun protection matters.Rumour or Science?Rumour: “Laser hair removal causes cancer” — What does the science say?Does laser hair removal cause cancer? Non-ionising light, the real risks of laser (burns, pigment changes, eye damage) and why moles need attention.Rumour or Science?Rumour: “You don’t need sunscreen in winter or on cloudy days” — What does the science say?Do you need sunscreen in winter and on cloudy days? UVA through clouds and glass, light reflected by snow, melasma and skin after procedures.Rumour or Science?Rumour: “If filler is dissolved, your face’s own tissue dissolves too” — What does the science say?Does dissolving filler dissolve your own tissue too? How the enzyme hyaluronidase works, how the body renews its own hyaluronic acid, and the real risks.Rumour or Science?Rumour: “If you bruise, the treatment was done badly” — What does the science say?Does bruising after filler or botulinum toxin mean the treatment was done badly? Causes, risk factors, how long it lasts and emergencies mistaken for it.Rumour or Science?Rumour: “Natural and herbal treatments have no side effects” — What does the science say?Are herbal products free of side effects? Allergy to plant extracts, plants that mark the skin in sunlight, “herbal filler/botox” claims, the real risks.
Expert Board
GlossaryPlain-language explanations of common medical aesthetics terms.Read more ToolsHelper tools that run in your browser and store nothing. What you enter is never sent anywhere.Read more Ask an ExpertSend us general questions about medical aesthetics. Our expert board answers selected questions in general terms, without any personal details, and publishes them on this page.Read more