Certificate in Aesthetic Dermatology (CAD)
A postgraduate online certificate equipping aesthetic clinicians with the diagnostic mindset, skin science and decision frameworks required to treat safely, refer appropriately, and elevate clinical outcomes in everyday aesthetic practice. 9 modules · 100% online · 15 AICE Points (CPD/CME Equiv.*).
15
AICE Points
0Complexity Band
6 hours
Learning Time
0≈ 6.3h CPD/CME equiv.*
Course Profile
Aims
Equip aesthetic medical, dental, nursing and allied healthcare professionals with a structured clinical grounding in dermatology applied to aesthetic practice — building the diagnostic mindset, skin science and decision frameworks to treat safely, refer appropriately, and elevate clinical outcomes.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Conduct a structured 5-point skin assessment and apply a treat-vs-refer decision framework.
- Recognise and differentiate inflammatory, pigmentary, infective and reactive dermatoses encountered in aesthetic practice.
- Apply the melanin cycle and tyrosinase inhibition framework to manage melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
- Evaluate skin barrier integrity, acid mantle pH and differentiate irritant from allergic contact dermatitis.
- Identify benign vs suspicious periocular lesions and assess safely around the eye.
- Apply the golden rule of clinical safety and the three-layer risk framework (skin, pigmentation, diagnostic).
- Plan and deliver chemical peels with appropriate depth, acid chemistry, endpoint recognition and aftercare.
- Break chronic inflammation cycles and design barrier-repair protocols using cosmeceuticals and prescription agents.
- Communicate clinical reasoning and complication management to patients and colleagues at an appropriate professional standard.
Content Overview
Nine clinical modules delivered fully online, each self-paced with an end-of-module assessment (≥70% pass mark): Module 1 — Clinical Mindset & Skin Assessment Framework (2 pts, 30 min) Module 2 — Inflammation, Acne & Inflammatory Conditions (1 pt, 35 min) Module 3 — Pigmentation, Melasma & PIH (1 pt, 35 min) Module 4 — Skin Barrier, Acid Mantle & Contact Dermatitis (3 pts, 30 min) Module 5 — Periocular Dermatology & Lesion Differentiation (1 pt, 30 min) Module 6 — Risks, Complications & Clinical Safety (1 pt, 30 min) Module 7 — Infective & Reactive Dermatoses (1 pt, 60 min) Module 9 — Peels, Procedures & Complication Prevention (2 pts, 65 min) Module 10 — Treating Chronic Inflammation & Barrier Repair (3 pts, 60 min) Teaching combines structured slide-based content, case-based reasoning, a high-resolution image atlas, formative quizzes and HSI faculty support. Total 375 minutes of structured study earning the full Certificate in Aesthetic Dermatology and 15 AICE Points (CPD/CME Equiv.*).
Professional Development Outcomes
This learning contributes to:
- 1Safer assessment and triage of dermatological presentations in aesthetic clinics.
- 2Improved diagnostic confidence in pigmentation, inflammation and barrier-related conditions.
- 3Reduced PIH and complication rates following aesthetic procedures.
- 4Stronger consent, documentation and referral practices.
- 5A category-defining dermatological supplement to injectables training.
Target Audience
Registered healthcare professionals — medical doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, pharmacists and allied health professionals — who hold registration with their respective professional regulator. No prior dermatology specialty training is required; suitable for clinicians at any stage of an aesthetic career.
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