Best dermatologist in Brasília? What expats should know about aesthetic medicine in Brazil
Brazil's medical system separates clinical dermatology from aesthetic medicine. Knowing the distinction — and how to verify any physician's credentials in under two minutes — protects both your health and your investment.
Book ConsultationHow Brazil's physician credentialling system actually works
In Brazil, the Federal Medicine Council (CFM) licenses all physicians through a state-level register called the CRM (Conselho Regional de Medicina). The CRM number confirms that a doctor holds a valid medical degree and is legally permitted to practise. What it does not confirm is a particular specialty — that requires a second register, the RQE (Registro de Qualificação de Especialidade).
The RQE is issued only after a physician completes a formal residency or fellowship in a recognised specialty and passes the corresponding title examination administered by the relevant medical society. A dermatologist with a valid RQE in Dermatology will have two numbers on their professional documents: a CRM and an RQE. You can verify both on the official CFM website at portal.cfm.org.br — the search takes under two minutes and returns the physician's name, CRM number, specialty registration, and current status (active, suspended, or cancelled).
This two-tier structure matters for expats accustomed to systems such as the US, UK, or EU, where board certification or the GMC/specialist register serves a broadly similar function. In Brazil, a physician without an RQE may still practise aesthetic procedures entirely within the legal scope of medicine — and many highly trained aesthetic physicians do precisely that, having pursued post-graduate training, fellowship programmes, and hands-on credentialling with device manufacturers and injectable brands rather than a formal residency route. The credential that matters in the aesthetic context is therefore verifiable training in the specific technique, not the RQE alone.
This is not a loophole. Brazilian medical law recognises that aesthetic medicine and regenerative medicine constitute a broad practice area drawing from multiple specialties — dermatology, plastic surgery, and general medicine among them. What protects the patient is transparency: a physician should be able to tell you precisely where they trained in a given technique, how many procedures they have performed, and what safety protocols govern their practice.
Dermatologist or aesthetic physician — who is the right choice for your concern?
The clearest way to navigate this is by separating clinical dermatology — the diagnosis and treatment of skin disease — from aesthetic and regenerative medicine, which addresses appearance, tissue quality, and the biological changes associated with ageing.
A dermatologist with a valid RQE is the appropriate first choice when the concern involves:
- Active inflammatory conditions: acne requiring systemic therapy, rosacea, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis
- Pigment disorders with a diagnostic component: melasma refractory to topicals, suspicious hyperpigmented lesions
- Skin cancer screening, biopsy, and follow-up
- Autoimmune skin conditions: vitiligo, morphoea, lupus-related cutaneous involvement
- Chronic or recurrent infections: fungal, viral (molluscum, warts), or bacterial
- Patch testing for contact allergy
An aesthetic and regenerative physician is the appropriate choice when the concern involves:
- Neuromodulator treatment (botulinum toxin) for expression lines and facial dynamics
- Injectable volumisation and structural correction with hyaluronic acid or biostimulatory agents
- Energy-based skin resurfacing and tightening (radiofrequency, fractional laser, high-intensity focused ultrasound)
- Fat grafting and body contouring via non-surgical protocols
- Regenerative protocols: polynucleotides, platelet-rich plasma, exosomes, peptide-based programmes
- Preventive and longevity-focused skin maintenance in otherwise healthy skin
Many concerns overlap: a patient with stable, treated rosacea who also wants skin quality improvement may work with both a dermatologist for disease management and an aesthetic physician for resurfacing protocols. In Brasília's diplomatic community, where patients often carry records from clinics in London, New York, or Singapore, a physician accustomed to international clinical vocabulary and multilingual consultation is an additional practical consideration.
How to verify any Brazilian physician and what to look for in a consultation
Before any procedure, every patient — regardless of nationality — should run a two-minute verification on the CFM portal. Go to portal.cfm.org.br/busca-medicos/, enter the physician's name or CRM number, and confirm that the registration is active. If the physician has an RQE, it will appear alongside the CRM in the same search result. Note the specialty associated with the RQE — it confirms whether the title is in Dermatology, Plastic Surgery, or another area.
The CFM portal, however, does not tell you whether a physician has specific training in the technique you are seeking. For that, a well-structured consultation should allow you to ask directly: where did you train in this procedure, how many have you performed, what are the contraindications for my particular anatomy, and what is your protocol if a complication arises? A physician confident in their clinical competence will answer those questions without hesitation.
Additional signals that indicate sound clinical practice:
Membership in recognised medical societies — the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD), the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery (SBCP), or specialty academies such as ASLMS (laser/energy devices) — does not substitute for training, but it indicates engagement with peer-reviewed standards and continuing education requirements. Manufacturer credentialling programmes from major injectables and device companies (Galderma, Allergan Aesthetics, Merz, Solta Medical) similarly indicate that a physician has completed supervised training on a specific product or platform.
On the safety side, one absolute contraindication warrants particular emphasis: PMMA, biopolymers, and liquid silicone are permanently contraindicated in facial, lip, and gluteal augmentation. These substances have been responsible for severe, irreversible complications documented in the medical literature. Any physician who recommends them for these indications — regardless of title or claimed experience — should be avoided without exception.
Dr. Thiago Perfeito (CRM-DF 23199) practises aesthetic and regenerative medicine at INTI clinic, Lago Sul, Brasília. He is not a dermatologist and does not represent himself as one. His practice focuses on injectable treatments, energy-based protocols, fat grafting, and regenerative medicine for patients seeking refined, natural-looking results — including English-speaking diplomats and expats based in the capital.
Dr. Thiago Perfeito
CRM-DF 23199 · Aesthetic and Regenerative Medicine
Physician with more than 10 years of practice in aesthetic and regenerative medicine. Master's degree in Aesthetic Medicine (2024). International training at Harvard Medical School and Mayo Clinic. Member of ASLMS, A4M, AMS, and NYAS. Practicing in Brasília, Lago Sul.
Learn about Dr. Thiago →Frequently asked questions about Physician selection guide
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How does Brazil's specialist system (RQE) work?
Brazil's Federal Medicine Council (CFM) issues a CRM number to every licensed physician. A separate register — the RQE, Registro de Qualificação de Especialidade — is issued only to doctors who complete a recognised residency or fellowship and pass the corresponding specialty examination. Both numbers are publicly searchable at portal.cfm.org.br. The CRM alone confirms that a physician holds a valid licence; the RQE confirms a formally recognised specialty title. In aesthetic medicine, a physician without an RQE may still practise legally, provided their training in the specific technique is verifiable.
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Dermatologist or aesthetic physician — who does what in Brazil?
A dermatologist with a valid RQE in Dermatology is the appropriate choice for skin disease: inflammatory conditions (acne, rosacea, psoriasis), skin cancer screening, pigment disorders requiring diagnosis, and chronic cutaneous conditions. An aesthetic and regenerative physician covers appearance-focused concerns: botulinum toxin, injectable volumisation, energy-based resurfacing and tightening, fat grafting, and regenerative protocols. Many patients work with both, sequentially or in parallel, depending on their clinical profile.
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How do I verify any Brazilian doctor's registration?
Visit portal.cfm.org.br/busca-medicos/ and search by the physician's name or CRM number. The result shows registration status (active, suspended, or cancelled), the state of registration, and any RQE specialty titles. The search is public, free, and takes under two minutes. Always verify before a first consultation — this applies equally to dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and aesthetic physicians.
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Who should treat skin disease vs aesthetic concerns?
Active skin disease — inflammatory conditions, suspected malignancies, pigment disorders requiring diagnosis, chronic infections — should be assessed by a dermatologist with an RQE in Dermatology. Aesthetic concerns in otherwise healthy skin — neuromodulators, injectable volumisation, energy devices, regenerative treatments — fall within the scope of aesthetic and regenerative medicine. The distinction is not always sharp: stable, medically managed skin conditions can coexist with aesthetic treatment, but the treating physicians may be different practitioners working from the same clinical picture.
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What should an English-speaking patient look for?
Beyond CRM verification, look for a physician who conducts the consultation in your language without relying on an intermediary, is familiar with international clinical vocabulary and the standards of premium clinics in global capitals, can explain the mechanism and contraindications of each proposed treatment clearly, and maintains a documented safety protocol for adverse events. In Brasília specifically, experience with the diplomatic and expat community — patients who may have had procedures in London, New York, or Singapore — is a practical indicator of the clinical and communication standard you should expect.
Consult a physician who works in English
Discuss your case with Dr. Thiago Perfeito. Personalised aesthetic and regenerative care in Brasília, CRM-DF 23199.