Physician to Physician Discussions > IAPAM vs NYC Spa expo
Nothing in life is free. I joined the IAPAM and attended their conference in Scottsdale, AZ last September. I found it to be a sales pitch for PCA, Palomar, and IAPAM's marketing med spa people. They only had 1 physician lecturer, the other scheduled one was a no show. The rest of the speakers were nurses, estheticians, lay people. Dr. Jennifer Linder, a noted Dermatologist who gave a rushed lecture on Botox and skin CA(she runs PCA) is their only reputable speaker. A disappointment after spending $2000(with the $495 discount if you joined their organization. I had been to MedSurge's conference in Las Vegas in June which was much superior and $1000 less. Way more hands on and very worthwhile!(but beware of the sales pitch at the end).
Hope that this helps. Happy New Year!
mlsermd
The AACS conference is in january. It is for more advanced individuals but looks like it should be very good. It will include some on facelifts and breast augmentation that I am not interested in but I will attend these as well so that I can learn more anatomy and keep up on what is offered.
I have found that it pays to know these other procedures when you are talking to patients. If you are knowledgeable about other procedures patients will be confident in you. I have had patients go to plastics for a bleph and then return to me for resurfacing even though the plastics does resurfacing as well.
The more you know the more the patients will trust you. Learn as much as you can even if you do not do the procedure.
LH
thanks for confirming my gut feelings. I did observe a medsurge conference once thought 80% of it was lame. I'll now scratch IAPAM off my list. I did make the mistake of paying to join AAAM (american academy of aesthetic medicine) which has been totally unhelpful to me so far.I noticed on their website that they offer courses with different level certifications but once again, I'm suspicious.
Have you attended any spa expo shows?
Does anyone have any suggestions for good cmes or expos or any other way of obtaining the least unbiased commercial-free advanced training/knowledge?
jmd
LH
I just saw your msg as I was posting my response. thanks for the advice. I don't think I'm there yet - i'm still focusing on learning more about lasers/ipl, filler and botox pearls, medspa marketing, PDT, and med skincare.
jmd
I attended the IAPAM Symposium back in the spring of last year and enjoyed it. They had 2 or 3 MD's speaking, and it was great to hear about their experiences (one was a fp who entered aesthetics 2 years ago, her advice alone was worth the cost, It saved me from purchasing too much equipment, the laser rep had me buying 3 lasers before I attended the program). I had hired a consultant and paid them $15,000+ and certainly received more information over the 2 days then the consultant ever gave me. I also attended the NY MedSpa show last year, its more of a trade show with consultants speaking as educators. Like most trade shows, they give you some information, but you need to hire them to get the rest of the answers. But, it's a great place to see all of the equipment, spa suppliers, cosmecueticals, etc. in one place. There are not a lot of doctor's there so when you show up with the "MD" on you badge, the reps certainly are very interested in you.
TLR
The South Beach Symposium is very good -- lots of demos (both equipment and injectables), lots of different suppliers represented. The lecturers are almost all Dermatologists, except for the management-related topics (EMR, legal, etc.).
Lots of good information on cosmetic treatments, complications and so on as well as general dermatologic issues.
Dr Rose
Hi,
I have just been to the IAPAM symposium. I think it was good. See posting in the forum on conference reports. For someone like me who is totally new it helped a lot.
The_Ductor
I attended the IAPAM conference in Sept 08 and found the education useful for lasers and cosmetics. very beginner botox/filler "hands on". Dr. Linder did a nice overview on Skin basics. the business course was a bit disappointing, I was hoping for more information/contacts/ layout of how it is done, instead it walked through the book and the disk provided does not have that much on it. Not a full business plan as promised, all are skimming on details. I agree in the sales of PCA and Palmolar but it opened my eyes to the different lasers out there and made me question the products.
For hans on though they have a course in canada (IAPAM) for 2 days of outright injections botox and fillers). I am there. 300 pts each day, small group. reputable physician delivering the education. I attended the Pelosi course in NJ for lipo and botox filler. lipo course worth the money, great lession on sclerotherapy and not bad on injectables. ALL hands on. young pelosi provides the most information and hands on guidance when doing the lipo.
Nashville
I attended the IAPAM symposium in 2007 and thought it was a fair but basic introduction to the field of aesthetics. I agree that certain products are emphasized over others and that the IAPAM tends to support particular manufactuers. The BOTOX component was very basic and I did not feel confident at all in giving BOTOX injections after the course. I did, however, complete the Canadian "Botox Bootcamp" course they recommend in Toronto (see Kapps Training) online through Google. The instructors at Kapps were excellent and we treated several patients throughout the day. Two physicians per instructor was a real benefit. I now do BOTOX through my family practice. The IAPAM dermal filler training was weak. We did not inject; we only watched a live demonstration. Again, the Kapps Training in Toronto (Dermal Filler Bootcamp) was far superior. I did the IAPAM chemical peel 1/2 day course in Arizona that was put on by PCA, based in Arizona. The emphasis was only on PCA products. The course provided some fundamentals but we did not treat anyone ourselves. Since then I have done a lot of my own research on chemical peels and learned by asking lots of questions from others in the field. The bottom line: it is hard to find comprehensive aesthetic medicine courses. IAPAM provides a basic introduction and if you know nothing about the field, it is worth taking. But keep an open mind and do not fall for any product sales pitches until you really do your homework. Good luck!
agb
Hi AGB and fellow collegues,
Saw your informative feedback on the IAPAM symposium course.
How about the business teaching aspect on the 3rd day of the symposium? Was it really as helpful as the organiser has claimed, for doctors who know nothing about starting a medical aesthetic business?
Cheers
dv
Just got back from the IAPAM course in Scotsdale. I'm a physician who knew next to nothing on aesthetic medicine. I personally got a lot from the course. I also knew next to nothing about the business aspects, so I found the business boot camp to be extremely helpful. Most of the speakers were physicians (derm and family practice) and the lecture by Cindy Graf on starting an aesthetic practice was great! I can definately see that for someone who knows and has experience in aesthetic medicine that they would consider it to be somewhat basic and redundant, but for me, it was just what the Doctor ordered.
I will say the hands on portion was a little weak and they did seem to concentrate lots on PCA skin care products, however it was still a worthwhile trip.
NLE
NLE
Just got back from the IAPAM course in Scotsdale. I'm a physician who knew next to nothing on aesthetic medicine. I personally got a lot from the course. I also knew next to nothing about the business aspects, so I found the business boot camp to be extremely helpful. Most of the speakers were physicians (derm and family practice) and the lecture by Cindy Graf on starting an aesthetic practice was great! I can definately see that for someone who knows and has experience in aesthetic medicine that they would consider it to be somewhat basic and redundant, but for me, it was just what the Doctor ordered.
I will say the hands on portion was a little weak and they did seem to concentrate lots on PCA skin care products, however it was still a worthwhile trip.
NLE
NLE
I will say the hands on portion was a little weak and they did seem to concentrate lots on PCA skin care products, however it was still a worthwhile trip.
NLE
NLE
Just got back from the IAPAM course in Scotsdale. I'm a physician who knew next to nothing on aesthetic medicine. I personally got a lot from the course. I also knew next to nothing about the business aspects, so I found the business boot camp to be extremely helpful. Most of the speakers were physicians (derm and family practice) and the lecture by Cindy Graf on starting an aesthetic practice was great! I can definately see that for someone who knows and has experience in aesthetic medicine that they would consider it to be somewhat basic and redundant, but for me, it was just what the Doctor ordered.
I will say the hands on portion was a little weak and they did seem to concentrate lots on PCA skin care products, however it was still a worthwhile trip.
NLE
NLE
Just got back from the IAPAM course in Scotsdale. I'm a physician who knew next to nothing on aesthetic medicine. I personally got a lot from the course. I also knew next to nothing about the business aspects, so I found the business boot camp to be extremely helpful. Most of the speakers were physicians (derm and family practice) and the lecture by Cindy Graf on starting an aesthetic practice was great! I can definately see that for someone who knows and has experience in aesthetic medicine that they would consider it to be somewhat basic and redundant, but for me, it was just what the Doctor ordered.
I will say the hands on portion was a little weak and they did seem to concentrate lots on PCA skin care products, however it was still a worthwhile trip.
NLE
NLE
Just got back from the IAPAM course in Scotsdale. I'm a physician who knew next to nothing on aesthetic medicine. I personally got a lot from the course. I also knew next to nothing about the business aspects, so I found the business boot camp to be extremely helpful. Most of the speakers were physicians (derm and family practice) and the lecture by Cindy Graf on starting an aesthetic practice was great! I can definately see that for someone who knows and has experience in aesthetic medicine that they would consider it to be somewhat basic and redundant, but for me, it was just what the Doctor ordered.
I will say the hands on portion was a little weak and they did seem to concentrate lots on PCA skin care products, however it was still a worthwhile trip.
NLE
Just got back from the IAPAM course in Scotsdale. I'm a physician who knew next to nothing on aesthetic medicine. I personally got a lot from the course. I also knew next to nothing about the business aspects, so I found the business boot camp to be extremely helpful. Most of the speakers were physicians (derm and family practice) and the lecture by Cindy Graf on starting an aesthetic practice was great! I can definately see that for someone who knows and has experience in aesthetic medicine that they would consider it to be somewhat basic and redundant, but for me, it was just what the Doctor ordered.
I will say the hands on portion was a little weak and they did seem to concentrate lots on PCA skin care products, however it was still a worthwhile trip.
NLE
NLE
Just got back from the IAPAM course in Scotsdale. I'm a physician who knew next to nothing on aesthetic medicine. I personally got a lot from the course. I also knew next to nothing about the business aspects, so I found the business boot camp to be extremely helpful. Most of the speakers were physicians (derm and family practice) and the lecture by Cindy Graf on starting an aesthetic practice was great! I can definately see that for someone who knows and has experience in aesthetic medicine that they would consider it to be somewhat basic and redundant, but for me, it was just what the Doctor ordered.
I will say the hands on portion was a little weak and they did seem to concentrate lots on PCA skin care products, however it was still a worthwhile trip.
NLE
Just got back from the IAPAM course in Scotsdale. I'm a physician who knew next to nothing on aesthetic medicine. I personally got a lot from the course. I also knew next to nothing about the business aspects, so I found the business boot camp to be extremely helpful. Most of the speakers were physicians (derm and family practice) and the lecture by Cindy Graf on starting an aesthetic practice was great! I can definately see that for someone who knows and has experience in aesthetic medicine that they would consider it to be somewhat basic and redundant, but for me, it was just what the Doctor ordered.
I will say the hands on portion was a little weak and they did seem to concentrate lots on PCA skin care products, however it was still a worthwhile trip.
NLE
NLE
Just got back from the IAPAM course in Scotsdale. I'm a physician who knew next to nothing on aesthetic medicine. I personally got a lot from the course. I also knew next to nothing about the business aspects, so I found the business boot camp to be extremely helpful. Most of the speakers were physicians (derm and family practice) and the lecture by Cindy Graf on starting an aesthetic practice was great! I can definately see that for someone who knows and has experience in aesthetic medicine that they would consider it to be somewhat basic and redundant, but for me, it was just what the Doctor ordered.
I will say the hands on portion was a little weak and they did seem to concentrate lots on PCA skin care products, however it was still a worthwhile trip.
NLE
Just got back from the IAPAM course in Scotsdale. I'm a physician who knew next to nothing on aesthetic medicine. I personally got a lot from the course. I also knew next to nothing about the business aspects, so I found the business boot camp to be extremely helpful. Most of the speakers were physicians (derm and family practice) and the lecture by Cindy Graf on starting an aesthetic practice was great! I can definately see that for someone who knows and has experience in aesthetic medicine that they would consider it to be somewhat basic and redundant, but for me, it was just what the Doctor ordered.
I will say the hands on portion was a little weak and they did seem to concentrate lots on PCA skin care products, however it was still a worthwhile trip.
NLE
NLE
Just got back from the IAPAM course in Scotsdale. I'm a physician who knew next to nothing on aesthetic medicine. I personally got a lot from the course. I also knew next to nothing about the business aspects, so I found the business boot camp to be extremely helpful. Most of the speakers were physicians (derm and family practice) and the lecture by Cindy Graf on starting an aesthetic practice was great! I can definately see that for someone who knows and has experience in aesthetic medicine that they would consider it to be somewhat basic and redundant, but for me, it was just what the Doctor ordered.
I will say the hands on portion was a little weak and they did seem to concentrate lots on PCA skin care products, however it was still a worthwhile trip.
NLE
Just got back from the IAPAM course in Scotsdale. I'm a physician who knew next to nothing on aesthetic medicine. I personally got a lot from the course. I also knew next to nothing about the business aspects, so I found the business boot camp to be extremely helpful. Most of the speakers were physicians (derm and family practice) and the lecture by Cindy Graf on starting an aesthetic practice was great! I can definately see that for someone who knows and has experience in aesthetic medicine that they would consider it to be somewhat basic and redundant, but for me, it was just what the Doctor ordered.
I will say the hands on portion was a little weak and they did seem to concentrate lots on PCA skin care products, however it was still a worthwhile trip.
NLE
NLE
Just got back from the IAPAM course in Scotsdale. I'm a physician who knew next to nothing on aesthetic medicine. I personally got a lot from the course. I also knew next to nothing about the business aspects, so I found the business boot camp to be extremely helpful. Most of the speakers were physicians (derm and family practice) and the lecture by Cindy Graf on starting an aesthetic practice was great! I can definately see that for someone who knows and has experience in aesthetic medicine that they would consider it to be somewhat basic and redundant, but for me, it was just what the Doctor ordered.
I will say the hands on portion was a little weak and they did seem to concentrate lots on PCA skin care products, however it was still a worthwhile trip.
NLE
Just got back from the IAPAM course in Scotsdale. I'm a physician who knew next to nothing on aesthetic medicine. I personally got a lot from the course. I also knew next to nothing about the business aspects, so I found the business boot camp to be extremely helpful. Most of the speakers were physicians (derm and family practice) and the lecture by Cindy Graf on starting an aesthetic practice was great! I can definately see that for someone who knows and has experience in aesthetic medicine that they would consider it to be somewhat basic and redundant, but for me, it was just what the Doctor ordered.
I will say the hands on portion was a little weak and they did seem to concentrate lots on PCA skin care products, however it was still a worthwhile trip.
NLE
NLE
Just got back from the IAPAM course in Scotsdale. I'm a physician who knew next to nothing on aesthetic medicine. I personally got a lot from the course. I also knew next to nothing about the business aspects, so I found the business boot camp to be extremely helpful. Most of the speakers were physicians (derm and family practice) and the lecture by Cindy Graf on starting an aesthetic practice was great! I can definately see that for someone who knows and has experience in aesthetic medicine that they would consider it to be somewhat basic and redundant, but for me, it was just what the Doctor ordered.
I will say the hands on portion was a little weak and they did seem to concentrate lots on PCA skin care products, however it was still a worthwhile trip.
NLE
Just got back from the IAPAM course in Scotsdale. I'm a physician who knew next to nothing on aesthetic medicine. I personally got a lot from the course. I also knew next to nothing about the business aspects, so I found the business boot camp to be extremely helpful. Most of the speakers were physicians (derm and family practice) and the lecture by Cindy Graf on starting an aesthetic practice was great! I can definately see that for someone who knows and has experience in aesthetic medicine that they would consider it to be somewhat basic and redundant, but for me, it was just what the Doctor ordered.
I will say the hands on portion was a little weak and they did seem to concentrate lots on PCA skin care products, however it was still a worthwhile trip.
NLE
NLE
Just got back from the IAPAM course in Scotsdale. I'm a physician who knew next to nothing on aesthetic medicine. I personally got a lot from the course. I also knew next to nothing about the business aspects, so I found the business boot camp to be extremely helpful. Most of the speakers were physicians (derm and family practice) and the lecture by Cindy Graf on starting an aesthetic practice was great! I can definately see that for someone who knows and has experience in aesthetic medicine that they would consider it to be somewhat basic and redundant, but for me, it was just what the Doctor ordered.
I will say the hands on portion was a little weak and they did seem to concentrate lots on PCA skin care products, however it was still a worthwhile trip.
NLE
Just got back from the IAPAM course in Scotsdale. I'm a physician who knew next to nothing on aesthetic medicine. I personally got a lot from the course. I also knew next to nothing about the business aspects, so I found the business boot camp to be extremely helpful. Most of the speakers were physicians (derm and family practice) and the lecture by Cindy Graf on starting an aesthetic practice was great! I can definately see that for someone who knows and has experience in aesthetic medicine that they would consider it to be somewhat basic and redundant, but for me, it was just what the Doctor ordered.
I will say the hands on portion was a little weak and they did seem to concentrate lots on PCA skin care products, however it was still a worthwhile trip.
NLE
NLE
Has anyone been to the following seminars?
1) Empire Medical Training:
2) American Board of Aesthetic Medicine:
3) Amerian Academy Aesthetic Medicine:
I read the reviews for IAPAM, but was wondering if anyone had checked out these training seminars?
Thanks for your input!
Michelle Cowden
I attended the IAPAM symposium in Scottsdale this year. I thought it was great for someone new in the business.
However there was limited hands on training.
I decided to attend the empire training, hoping to get some hands on training.
It was a big disappointment! Please don't waste your money.
FP
Wholesale Discount for Botulinum toxin and Dermal Fillers http://fillercloud.com/
Careno
has anyone attended an IAPAM aesthetic symposium? The ads are kind of cheesy because it includes free $3200 value DVD set and free year support and free chemical peel supplies, etc... It sounds like a bad informercial and my gut feeling tells me it's a scam but I am intrigued and there aren't there many medical symposiums to choose from. I'm also thinking about going to NYC javitz center for the spa resort expo but worried it'll be a huge for expense for what I'll get out of it as a MD medical director when it seems more geared for non-MD spa owners. If anyone has attended either one of these or something else that was helpful, please let me know what you think. thank you and happy new year.