The Delivery of Aesthetic Medicine: Illegal or Not?

The field of aesthetic facial surgery is dynamic and may be driven by new technology and market trends. It is important that we respond to these pressures as small business persons, but only in the context of our obligations to our state regulatory boards, the Hippocratic Oath, and our patients' best interests. Regulations with regard to the scope of practice of aesthetic medicine and the corporate practice of medicine have the greatest potential to affect facial plastic surgeons. This article provides basic information regarding these medicolegal issues and resources to examine physician compliance. There may be an opportunity for the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to provide its membership with basic guidelines for scope of practice and corporate practice of medicine in an effort to optimize patient care.