Why I Went Back to the Dissection Room: Head and Neck Anatomy with Professor Sebastian Cotofana

I recently spent time in the dissection room at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, on a head and neck anatomy course taught by the world-renowned anatomist Professor Sebastian Cotofana. It was one of the most valuable days of learning in my career, and I want to share why it matters for you as a patient.

Why anatomy is the foundation of safe aesthetics

The face is not a flat surface. Beneath the skin sit distinct layers of fat, connective tissue, muscle, retaining ligaments, blood vessels and nerves, and every one of them changes as we age. Everything I do in clinic, from skin treatments to injectables, involves working with these layers. The better I understand them, the safer and more natural your results will be.

What a cadaver course teaches that a textbook cannot

Diagrams and lectures show the textbook version of anatomy. Real anatomy is three-dimensional, and it varies from person to person. Studying it hands-on lets you:

• See exactly how deep each structure sits, and how the layers relate to one another
• Trace the path of key blood vessels and nerves, including the areas where extra care is needed
• Understand how fat compartments and ligaments shift with age, and why that changes the shape of the face
• Appreciate the natural variation between people, so no treatment is ever one-size-fits-all

Learning from Professor Sebastian Cotofana

Professor Cotofana is one of the most respected anatomists working in aesthetic medicine today, and his research has shaped how practitioners around the world understand the ageing face. Learning directly from him, in the setting of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, was a privilege and a reminder of how much depth there always is to learn.

What this means for you

• Safety first. A detailed understanding of the vessels and nerves of the face helps me plan treatments that reduce risk and recognise early if anything needs attention.
• Natural results. Knowing why the face changes with age means I can treat the cause, such as lost support or thinning skin, rather than simply chasing lines.
• Honest advice. Sometimes the right answer is a different approach, or no treatment at all. Anatomy guides that conversation.
• A plan that is yours. Every face is different, so every plan begins with a thorough consultation and assessment.

A commitment to ongoing learning

As an Independent Nurse Prescriber with a Level 7 background in aesthetic medicine and cosmetic dermatology, I believe qualifications are a starting point, not a finish line. Returning to the dissection room is part of my commitment to evidence-based, medically led care at Fox Collective.

If you would like to talk through your goals with someone who takes your safety as seriously as your results, I would love to see you for a consultation in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Book online or call 01462 630381.

Kerry Marshall Shergold, Independent Nurse Prescriber