Skin cancer vigilance in aesthetic practice

In aesthetic practice, it is easy to focus on what is visible and cosmetic: pigmentation, sun damage, redness, texture. But as NP Kelly Beasy and Dr Dianne King highlight in this episode of The Aesthetic Shift podcast, appearances can be misleading.

This conversation explores a critical overlap in modern practice: aesthetic treatments and skin cancer vigilance. As aesthetic services expand across general practice and nursing-led clinics, so too does the responsibility to recognise when a lesion is not simply “cosmetic”.

Dr King shares insights from decades of experience spanning general practice, GP dermatology, dermoscopy, and skin cancer medicine. Her message is clear: without a structured approach to skin assessment, including appropriate history-taking and lesion recognition, there is a real risk of treating or altering lesions that require medical investigation.

The discussion focuses on clinical realities, including:

• Subtle facial melanomas that may mimic benign pigmentation
• The risk of altering lesions with lasers, IPL, or cryotherapy before diagnosis
• Key history and visual cues that should prompt referral
• The importance of dermoscopy skills and clear referral pathways in aesthetic settings

Rather than discouraging aesthetic care, the episode reinforces how skin cancer literacy strengthens it, improving safety, clinical confidence, and patient trust.

For GPs, nurses, and aesthetic practitioners working at this intersection, this conversation is a timely reminder that “cosmetic” and “clinical” are often closer than they appear.

Listen to the podcast

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast on the HealthCert Education YouTube channel.

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Podcast playlist

Listen to all episodes in The Aesthetic Shift series.

The Aesthetic Shift series

 The Aesthetic Shift podcast is for cosmetic practitioners looking to evolve, diversify, and future-proof their aesthetic practice. Each episode explores core cosmetic topics to help you broaden your offering and build a more resilient practice!

Host Kelly Beasy is a Nurse Practitioner, clinic owner, and cosmetic medicine trainer at KB Aesthetix with 20 years of nursing experience and 10+ years’ experience in the aesthetic industry. She also offers a 1:1 mentorship program for clinicians.

Guest: Dr Dianne King

Dr Dianne King has been working as a family GP for over 20 years, a graduate from UTAS medical school in 1989. She has had a keen interest in dermatology throughout this time and obtained her DPD in Cardiff while working in the UK during the early part of her career. In the last 18 years, she has subspecialised in skin cancer medicine and surgery, obtaining her Masters of Medicine in Skin Cancer from UQ in 2010.

Di established one of the first standalone skin cancer clinics in Hobart with her business partners in 2009, and in recent years has undergone further training in aesthetic medicine. This has proven to be great adjunct to her skin cancer practice, evolving into a business model of the “one stop skin shop” where everything from skin cancer diagnosis and treatment, phototherapy for aesthetic and dermatological conditions, and various cosmetic treatments are available. Di has been actively involved as a guest lecturer for UTAS medical students in skin cancer for the past 10 years. In her “spare” time, Di also lectures for HealthCert in the recently developed Aesthetic Medicine courses aimed at primary care and skin cancer physicians.

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