Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine
IIAM’s principal dermatologist-led programme for developing a more integrated approach to aesthetic assessment, treatment planning, procedural decision-making and patient care.
Aesthetic Medicine, Built on a Dermatologist’s Foundation
Dermatologists enter aesthetic practice with an understanding of skin biology, disease, pharmacology, healing and patient care. The next requirement is not simply exposure to more procedures. It is the ability to translate that foundation into aesthetic assessment, appropriate indication, treatment selection, sequencing, technical judgement and responsible follow-up.
The Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine is designed around this transition. It brings the major domains of contemporary aesthetic practice into one structured learning pathway, allowing the dermatologist to consider each intervention in relation to the patient, the clinical concern, the expected benefit, the limitations of treatment and the wider treatment plan.
Beyond Isolated Procedures
Aesthetic medicine is often encountered as a series of short demonstrations: a peel, a device, an injectable or a regenerative procedure. Yet safe and consistent practice depends on the decisions that precede and follow the technique – who should be treated, why a particular intervention is suitable, how treatments should be combined, what endpoint is appropriate and how response or complication should be reviewed.
The Fellowship is therefore planned over four to six months. Its longitudinal format connects academic teaching, observation, clinical discussion, procedural learning and review, helping the dermatologist develop an organised approach rather than an accumulation of disconnected techniques.
A Fellowship Defined by Clinical Judgement
Dermatologist-Led Academic Direction | Longitudinal Learning |
Integrated Treatment Planning | Relevance to Indian Skin |
Limited Intake | Restraint, Safety and Complication Awareness |
What the Fellowship Is Intended to Develope
The Fellowship is designed to strengthen the dermatologist’s approach to aesthetic practice across the complete patient journey:
- a more structured aesthetic consultation and clinical assessment;
- clearer patient selection, indication and contraindication reasoning;
- more considered selection, combination and sequencing of treatments;
- greater understanding of device-based and procedural choices;
- stronger awareness of complications, limitations and referral thresholds;
- more disciplined consent, photography, documentation and follow-up.
Program Highlight
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About Programs
As part of the full-time program, students receive the unique opportunity to attend the regular Dermatology Outpatient Department (OPD) at the institute's attached Skin & Hair Clinic. Under the direct supervision and expert mentorship of Dr. L. K. Desai, MD Dermatologist, students observe real patient consultations, diagnosis, treatment planning, and a wide range of clinical dermatology and aesthetic procedures. This hands-on clinical exposure bridges the gap between classroom learning and practical patient care, providing invaluable real-world experience. Upon successful completion of the observership, eligible students are awarded the prestigious Certificate of Observership in Dermatology from IIAM, recognizing their clinical training and practical exposure in a professional dermatology setting.
Core Curriculum Topics
Foundations of Aesthetic Medicine
- Facial anatomy, skin physiology, patient assessment and consultation
Injectables
- Botulinum toxin, dermal fillers, thread lifts
Energy-Based Devices
- Laser and light-based procedures for skin rejuvenation and hair removal
Clinical Cosmetology
- Chemical peels, microneedling, acne and pigmentation management
Hands-On Clinical Practice
- Supervised sessions in the attached Skin and Hair Clinic under Dr. L. K. Desai
Hands-On Clinical Practice
- Supervised sessions in the attached Skin and Hair Clinic under Dr. L. K. Desai
A Curriculum Organised Around Clinical Decisions
The Fellowship is not presented as a numerical catalogue of procedures. Its academic scope is organised around the knowledge and decisions required to assess a patient, select an appropriate intervention, understand technique and technology, anticipate risk and evaluate outcome.
The domains below indicate the breadth of the Fellowship. Detailed procedural coverage, the planned learning sequence and the form of exposure within each domain are shared during the admission process.
d future-focused learning experience that empowers students with both academic knowledge and practical competencies Each program is structured to combine foundational coursework specialized major subjects hands-on learning and interdisciplinary opportunities By integrating theory research and real-world applications we prepare students to excel in a rapidly evolving global environment Students begin with core courses that build essential skills in communication, critical thinking, digital literacy, and quantitative analysis.
- Skin biology, cutaneous ageing, wound healing, tissue response, facial and cutaneous assessment, and the influence of skin type on treatment planning.
- Aesthetic history and examination, patient motivation, expectation assessment, suitability, contraindications, photography, documentation, consent and staged planning.
- Skin conditioning, rejuvenation strategies, clinically directed facial protocols, active delivery, adjunctive therapies and maintenance planning.
- Assessment and treatment planning for acne, acne scars, pigmentation, texture, photodamage and selected combination approaches.
- Core principles, tissue interaction, device selection, parameter logic, endpoints, resurfacing, pigmentary and vascular concerns, hair reduction, safety and aftercare.
- Facial assessment, structural ageing, proportion, neuromodulator and filler principles, treatment sequencing, vascular anatomy and complication awareness.
- Structured hair-loss assessment, medical and regenerative approaches, PRP principles and integration with appropriate restorative pathways.
- Prevention, recognition and early response to complications; infection control; referral thresholds; ethical communication; consent; documentation and responsible practice integration.
Clinical Foundations
Assessment, skin and hair biology, ageing, healing and treatment principles.
Faculty-Led Observation
Observation of consultation, treatment planning, procedural reasoning and technique.
Guided Procedural Learning
Progressive practical orientation appropriate to the subject and participant readiness.
Case-Based Integration
Selection, combination and sequencing of interventions for defined clinical concerns.
Review and Clinical Refinement
Discussion of response, complications, follow-up and modification of treatment plans.
Clinical and Practical Exposure
Clinical and practical exposure may include case discussion, demonstration, observation, assisted participation or supervised hands-on learning. Its precise nature depends on the curriculum component, participant readiness, patient suitability, informed consent, case availability and faculty judgement
Learn from India's Leading Aesthetic Medicine Experts
The Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine is led by dermatologist and medical educator Dr. L.K. Desai, with selected specialist faculty contributing advanced expertise in plastic surgery and restorative aesthetic practice.
Dr. L.K. Desai
Founder and Academic Director, IIAM MD Dermatology, PGIMER Chandigarh
Dr. Desai provides the academic direction for the Fellowship and guides its curriculum, teaching priorities and clinical standards. His dermatology-led approach places diagnosis, patient suitability, indication, treatment planning and procedural safety at the centre of aesthetic education.
Dr. Sumit Saxena
Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
Dr. Saxena contributes a plastic surgeon's perspective to facial and surgical anatomy, structural ageing, tissue planes, healing, scarring, complication awareness and the clinical boundaries between surgical and non-surgical treatment
Faculty Participation
Selected specialist faculty support defined areas of the Fellowship under Dr. L.K. Desai’s dermatologist-led academic direction. Faculty participation may vary according to the approved curriculum, learning requirements and programme schedule.
| Programme | Duration | Format | Participants | Intake | Location | Academic direction | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine | Typically 4-6 months | Structured academic, clinical and practical learning | Dermatologists | Limited number of candidates | IIAM, Pune | Dr. L.K. Desai | Fellowship completion certificate subject to stated completion requirements |
Individual Attention Across a Longitudinal Programme
The Fellowship is not conducted as a large, continuously enrolling classroom course. IIAM accepts a limited number of candidates so that academic teaching, clinical observation, procedural learning, discussion and review can remain connected throughout the programme.
The limited-intake model allows faculty interaction to remain meaningful and gives candidates the opportunity to examine decision-making, technique, outcomes and correction with greater continuity.
Fellowship Fees
Fellowship fees, inclusions and the applicable payment schedule are shared after the dermatologist’s qualification, professional background and programme suitability have been reviewed.
CTA: Request Fellowship Information
Scheduling and Confirmation
Fellowship schedules are planned for a limited intake and depend on candidate suitability, faculty availability and appropriate clinical-learning opportunities.
Submission of an enquiry or application does not secure admission. Participation is confirmed only after the required review, documentation and payment formalities are completed and IIAM issues written confirmation.
Certification
IIAM issues a Fellowship completion certificate subject to the stated attendance, learning, assessment, payment and professional-conduct requirements. The exact certificate title and completion conditions are communicated in writing before enrolment.
Admission Pathway
Submit an Enquiry
Provide your dermatology qualification, registration, experience and programme interest.
Eligibility and Course-Fit Review
IIAM reviews whether the Fellowship is appropriate for your professional background and objectives.
Academic Discussion
The programme scope, learning format and proposed schedule are discussed.
Receive Written Programme Information
The structure, duration, inclusions, fee and applicable policies are communicated.
Complete Admission Formalities
The required documents and payment formalities are completed.
Written Admission Confirmation
Admission is complete only after IIAM issues written confirmation.
Develop a More Integrated Approach to Aesthetic Practice
Build on your dermatological foundation through a structured programme in aesthetic assessment, procedural planning, treatment integration and patient-centred clinical decision-making.
