MSc Skin Ageing and Aesthetic Medicine / Course details

This module builds upon foundational skills acquired in the BIOL 67502 Injectables unit, advancing students' knowledge and clinical expertise in the safe, ethical, and evidence-based application of injectable treatments in aesthetic medicine. The focus will be on complex and nuanced injectable techniques, including advanced applications of botulinum toxin, dermal fillers, across a wider range of anatomical regions such as the mid and lower face, neck, periocular area, décolletage, and hands.
The module is skills-oriented and designed to promote clinical confidence through structured hands-on practice, supported by critical engagement with current research and clinical guidelines. Students will be guided in the formulation of comprehensive aesthetic treatment plans that account for individual patient concerns, facial harmony, anatomical variation, and risk management.
Emphasis will be placed on advanced consultation skills, managing complications, and ethical decision-making within the commercial aesthetic sector. Through practical workshops, case-based discussions, and independent learning, students will be expected to demonstrate critical thinking and reflective practice to deliver high-quality, patient-centred aesthetic care.
 

To advance students’ clinical competence and anatomical understanding in the application of advanced injectable procedures, including treatments for the facial temples, tear troughs, neck, hands, and décolletage.

To promote critical evaluation of current research evidence and professional guidelines that underpin safe, ethical, and effective practice in advanced aesthetic medicine.

To equip students with advanced consultation and communication skills to support comprehensive clinical and psychological assessment, shared decision-making, and informed consent processes for patients undergoing injectable treatments.

To develop students’ ability to critically appraise and apply regulatory, ethical, legal, and governance frameworks, including indemnity considerations, to ensure responsible and compliant clinical practice in the private aesthetic sector.

To foster critical reasoning and reflective practice that enables students to evaluate the suitability of advanced injectable procedures and, where appropriate, construct well-supported rationales for alternative treatments or referral for surgical intervention.

To enable students to integrate scientific theory, patient-centered care, and aesthetic judgement in the formulation, delivery, and evaluation of treatment plans using advanced injectables.

To encourage the use of evidence-based models of care and systematic approaches to managing post-treatment outcomes, side effects, and long-term patient satisfaction.

To cultivate transferable professional and academic skills, including interprofessional collaboration, digital literacy, critical self-reflection, and effective communication across diverse professional and patient groups.
 

Learning methods will utilise online e-learning resources and will require students to engage with on-line materials developed for the purpose. These include video lectures, formative online reflections and exercises and short answer quizzes. Directed study components comprise formative group work via discussion boards and specified reading related to each session/seminar. Summative assessments will comprise anatomical SPOT exam to assess students knowledge of anatomy and danger zones, essay based report of case studies (summative) which are designed to assess skills in patient assessment, critical evaluation of current literature to guide a safe a patient centred evidence based treatment plan. 

A1  Demonstrate a critical understanding of safe treatment practices related to the following advanced injectable aesthetic procedures: 
Facial temples
Tear trough
Neck
Hands
Decolletage

A2  Demonstrate a critical understanding of following anatomical regions essential for safe treatment practices related to the advanced injectable aesthetic procedures above:
Facial anatomy
Neck
Upper limb

A3 Critically appraise frameworks for safe and competent practice including effective  communication

A4 Display a critical understanding of evidence based approaches to assess both clinically  and psychologically a patient requiring advanced aesthetic treatment

A5 Demonstrate an in-depth and critical understanding of the indications for the listed  aesthetic procedures

A6 Construct sound arguments and rationales for referral of patients for alternative surgical  procedures based on a critical synthesis of current research, policy and service user  perspectives

A7 Display a critical understanding of evidence based approaches to assess both clinically  and psychologically a patient requiring invasive aesthetic treatment  based on a current guidance

A8 Critically appraise frameworks for safe and competent practice including effective  communication

A9 Systematically and critically examine hierarchies of research evidence that inform and  underpin aesthetic practice

A10 Demonstrate an in-depth critical understanding of the requirements for, stages of and  limitations of informed consent when offering treatment with advanced injectable treatments

A11 Discuss through critical appraisal the regulatory issues and indemnity required for the safe practice of advanced injectable treatments.

 

B1 Demonstrate the ability to critically appraise and apply the evidence base for the range of  advanced injectables used in aesthetic practice.

B2 Demonstrate and defend sound clinical judgements for the management of patients  requiring advanced injectable  procedures.

B3 Construct sound arguments and rationales for referral of patients for invasive surgical  procedures based on a critical synthesis of current research, policy and service user and  carer perspectives.

B4 Consider critically a variety of established techniques and methods of research and  enquiry and how they relate to the advancement of evidence based injectable treatments, aesthetic  medical knowledge and practice.
 

C1 Manage and advance their own practice in accordance with professional, ethical, legal  and policy frameworks

C2 Apply critical evidence based approaches to assess both clinically and psychologically a  patient requesting advanced injectable  aesthetic procedures

C3 Utilise appropriate basic science knowledge, theoretical models and concepts to advise  patient's towards the most appropriate management strategies

C4 Through effective partnership working, contribute to the implementation and evaluation of  a range of evidence based strategies and interventions to promote and enhance high  quality care for patients requiring advanced injectable  aesthetic procedures

C5 Demonstrate sensitivity, awareness and advanced skills in the process of engaging with  people seeking advice for skin ageing

C6Utilise core skills in aesthetic medical practice to undertake and record systematic,  accurate and comprehensive assessments of the needs of individual patients

C7 Utilise appropriate theoretical frameworks and evidence-based constructs to; assess,  examine and formulate management plans for patients undergoing procedures

C8 Assess, explain and manage common and serious side effects and contraindications of  treatment with injectable treatments to patients and if necessary their carers/ relatives

C9 Construct sound post treatment review and assessment plans based on an in depth  knowledge of patients emotional and physical needs

D1 Critically reflect on their own academic performance and utilise a range of strategies to  improve these and overcome any particular difficulties

D2 Further develop and enhance skills in effective communication to a range of audiences in  a variety of settings

D3 Demonstrate skills in working collegiately and effectively with others as a member of a  team

D4 Effectively utilise information technology / health informatics

D5 Utilise skills in systematic and creative approaches to problem-solving and decision making in relation to complex issues 
 

Students will be provided with personalised feedback for their summative assignments, within 15 working days of the submission deadline.

Formative assessment and feedback to students is a key feature of the on-line learning materials for this unit, and will be given on an informal basis. Students will be required to engage in a wide range of interactive exercises to enhance their learning and test their developing knowledge and skills.
 

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