Controversies in aesthetic medicine The frame conditions 1: society and identity of the aesthetic doctor.

In Europe, especially in German speaking countries, aesthetic medicine has only low social acceptance, although patient numbers are increasing. The result of the low level of social standing, which is caused by conservative members of the medical profession, is to weaken the sense of identity of aesthetic practitioners. This article examines the reasons for the growth in patient numbers, despite the low level of acceptance, and shows ways in which identication within the field of aesthetic medicine can be enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]