Cosmetic Botulinum Toxin
Certification in cosmetic botulinum toxin authorizes a registrant to perform injections of prescription botulinum toxin into facial muscles for an aesthetic purpose.
Injection of botulinum toxin for a therapeutic purpose, such as for TMJ syndrome, headaches/migraines, and hyperhidrosis, requires separate certification in botulinum toxin (non-aesthetic).
A naturopathic physician certified in cosmetic botulinum toxin is not permitted to delegate those acts to any other person, or give an order to any other person to perform the injections on their behalf. It is professional misconduct to delegate these injection procedures, or to direct another person to perform them.
Registrants must only use botulinum toxin substances that are approved by Health Canada and are included in the pharmacopeia of naturopathic physicians with Prescriptive Authority.
Naturopathic physicians who provide injections of botulinum toxin are required to complete CNPBC approved education and training prior to performing such procedures, including certification in Prescriptive Authority, and to maintain currency in the practice.
Certification Requirements
In order to apply for certification in cosmetic botulinum toxin and related therapies, naturopathic physicians must:
- Have the status of full registrant under s. 46 of the CNPBC Bylaws;
- Be certified in Prescriptive Authority;
- Possess a current qualification in Naturopathic Advanced Life Support (NALS); and
- Have satisfied the training requirements for this certification.
Registrants may take any of the following courses to satisfy the training requirements for this certification:
– Level 1 and Level 2 Course in Aesthetic Medicine offered by the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine (AAAM)
– Cosmetic Botulinum Course offered by Dr. Henry Ngai MD and Dr. Moon-Sang Choi ND at the Canadian Society of Skin Medicine
– Cosmetic Neuromodulator Foundations course offered by Dr. Haneef Alibhai MD at the International Institute of Aesthetic Medicine. Note: any registrants who completed this course prior to March 2022, when it was offered at MD Cosmetic may still apply for certification.
– Level 1 – Advanced Anatomy Review & Intro to Botulinum Toxin & Dermal Filler AND Level 2 – Basic Botulinum Toxin: Aesthetic Upper Face & Therapeutic Pain Management courses offered by the Pacific Training Institute for Facial Aesthetics and Therapeutics. These courses are NOT approved for certification in botulinum toxin: medical/non-aesthetic.