Top 7 Aesthetic Cadaver Courses for Injectors in 2026

For injectors. Updated October 2, 2026 · Prepared by Prospyr. Prospyr makes practice software, not injector training, and none of the course providers below is a Prospyr product. Each summary reflects what the provider publishes on its own website, checked October 2026. Dates, prices and credit hours change often, so confirm everything in writing before you book travel.

What is an aesthetic cadaver course?

An aesthetic cadaver course is hands-on anatomy training where injectors study, inject and dissect donated human faces to see the layers, vessels and nerves they treat around. Most courses run one or two days. A typical day pairs an anatomy lecture or live-patient demonstration with lab time where small groups inject dye or filler into a specimen, then dissect to check where the product landed. The differences that matter are how many attendees share each specimen, whether you dissect yourself or only watch, who leads the lab, and how many accredited credit hours you earn.

The 7 aesthetic cadaver courses at a glance

How we chose this list

We looked for programs that a practice manager can check on four points before paying a deposit:

• Real hands-on time. The provider says attendees inject and dissect, not only watch a demonstration.
• Built for aesthetic injectors. The lab covers facial injection anatomy, not general surgical anatomy.
• Published dates or prices. At least some upcoming dates, fees or group sizes are on the website.
• Named faculty and accreditation. You can look up who leads the lab and who accredits the credits.

The order is our editorial view, not a measure of results. Where you live, your license and your budget may point you somewhere else.

1. Cotofana Anatomy

Cotofana Anatomy is the education platform of Professor Sebastian Cotofana, MD, PhD, PhD, a facial anatomist who teaches aesthetic injectors. It combines an online library built on cadaver dissections with live events run with partner organizations.

What stands out:

• Online first. It lists 120+ online courses, CME-accredited modules toward a Cotofana Diploma, and reports 9,000 active learners in 40+ countries. As of October 2026, modules run from $149 (biostimulators) to $749 (soft tissue fillers), and membership is $499 a month or $1,499 a year.
• Miami, November 5 and 6, 2026. The Anatomy & Injection Intensive with the International Academy of Facial Aesthetics (IAFA) at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Day 1 is an observation-only masterclass ($1,450). Day 2 is hands-on: small groups inject toxin and filler into body donors, correlate ultrasound, then dissect to check placement ($4,250). Both days cost $4,995. IAFA lists 10 total CE.
• Manhattan Beach, November 14 and 15, 2026. Hosted at N2 Aesthetics with Nicola Lowrey, PA-C. The site lists 16.5 hours of Category 1 CME and the Sunday hands-on cadaver day as sold out.
• Edinburgh, November 21 and 22, 2026. An event with BAMAN at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Right for: injectors who want to study online first, then see the same anatomy in a lab. Ask: how many attendees share each specimen on the hands-on day, and whether online membership discounts live events.

2. AmSpa AIA Advanced Cadaver Lab

The AIA Advanced Cadaver Lab is run by the American Med Spa Association (AmSpa) with the Academy for Injection Anatomy (AIA). Prospyr is an AmSpa Platinum partner. Its course chair is Chris Surek, DO, FACS, a board-certified plastic surgeon and assistant professor of anatomy at Kansas City University.

The full-day program combines anatomy instruction, cross-sectional hands-on dissection, a live-patient injection anatomy demonstration and a filler complications panel. As of October 2026, it lists $3,795 for AmSpa members and $3,995 for non-members, with breakfast, lunch, cocktails and dinner included, and 6.75 credits. The current calendar lists Chicago (October 2 and 3, 2026) and Phoenix (November 14, 2026). Attendance requires an active license: MD/DO, NP, ARNP, APRN, DNP, PA-C, RN, BSN, DDS or DMD.

Right for: newer and experienced injectors, medical directors and practice owners who want one recognized lab for the clinical team. Ask: the attendee-to-specimen ratio, and how the AmSpa member discount compares with membership cost if you're sending more than one person.

3. AAFE

The American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE) reports training injectors since 2007 and offers an Injection Anatomy Inject and Dissect Cadaver Lab and Ultrasound Imaging Course. Attendees inject colored dye or filler into fresh human cadavers, then dissect layer by layer to check depth and placement for toxin, filler and PDO threads. Ultrasound imaging is part of the course.

As of October 2026, it lists $3,297 per seat, a 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. day, and dates in Chicago (October 23, 2026) and Dallas (November 20, 2026). It states up to 8 to 10 CME/CE contact hours across the lab and online coursework. The prerequisite is AAFE's Botulinum Toxin & Dermal Fillers Level I or equivalent, plus required online anatomy modules before the lab.

Right for: dentists, physicians, nurses and PAs who want a lab with ultrasound and threads included at a lower published price. Ask: the group size and how many attendees share each specimen. For more on scanning, see our list of ultrasound-guided injection training.

4. Empire Medical Training

Empire Medical Training runs an Advanced Facial Anatomy Cadaver Workshop for aesthetics as one of many CME courses for physicians, nurses and dentists. Attendees dissect fresh cadavers and place fillers, PDO threads and other injectables to see how they sit in tissue. It states a 5:1 student-to-cadaver ratio and 8.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits.

As of October 2, 2026, upcoming dates are Puerto Rico (February 12, 2027), New York City (March 6, 2027) and Los Angeles (May 1, 2027). Pricing varies by date and with promotions, so check Empire's site for the current fee. Financing is offered at checkout. Unlicensed attendees can only observe.

Right for: injectors who want a stated specimen ratio and are flexible on date and city. Ask: the fee for your date, and who leads the lab on that date.

5. The Aesthetic Immersion

The Aesthetic Immersion is an injector training company in Brea, California led by Dr. Gideon Kwok, DO and Lori Robertson, MSN, FNP-C. Its Dissecting Aesthetics series is taught with Prof. Sebastian Cotofana. The next listed event is in Seattle on February 20 and 21, 2027.

Day 1 is observation only: keynote lectures, instructor-led dissection and live injections by facial region. Day 2 is a hands-on lab where small groups inject and dissect the forehead and temples, eyes and midface, and jawline, chin and lips. The course lists 13.5 accredited CE through AKH Inc., with attendance on both days required for credit, plus a workbook, meals and a group dinner for two-day attendees.

Right for: injectors who want a demonstration day before their own hands-on day. Ask: the price for Day 1, Day 2 and the bundle, and the group size in the lab.

6. SCAN Aesthetics

SCAN Aesthetics runs a two-day workshop at the Bioskills Center of Nevada in Henderson, near Las Vegas, next listed for January 15 and 16, 2027. Faculty include Rachel Polazzi, CRNA, and sonographers Alfredo Ferreyra, RMSKS, RDMS, and Candice Dery, RDMS.

Day 1 covers ultrasound scanning of the upper, mid and lower face. Day 2 is a cadaver lab with ultrasound-guided injections by region and a freestyle cadaver and ultrasound session. A point-of-care ultrasound certification session is an optional add-on.

Right for: injectors who want their cadaver time tied to ultrasound. Ask: the price and specimen ratio. The site states sales are final 45 days before the course and refunds carry a 4% processing fee.

7. Ultrasound Aesthetics

Ultrasound Aesthetics, run by Rachel Polazzi, CRNA from Pompano Beach, Florida, offers a one-day cadaver and ultrasound anatomy lab using human cadaver heads, by arrangement. It covers facial anatomy, ultrasound-guided toxin and filler technique and filler dissolving. It lists up to 20 people, with learning materials, breakfast and lunch included.

Right for: a practice that wants a private lab date for several injectors. Ask: the fee per person or per group, and where the lab is held.

Questions to ask any aesthetic cadaver course

1. How many attendees share each specimen? A stated ratio, such as 5:1, tells you more than "small groups."
2. Will I inject and dissect myself? Some days are observation only. Check which day, and which price, includes hands-on work.
3. What kind of specimens are used? Ask whether they are fresh or embalmed, whole body or head only, since tissue feel differs.
4. Who leads the lab? Look for a named anatomist or surgeon, and ask how many faculty are in the room.
5. How many credit hours, and from whom? Get the accreditor and the number of CME or CE hours in writing, and check any attendance rules.
6. Is there a complications segment? Ask whether the course covers vascular anatomy and occlusion response in detail.
7. What is the cancellation and transfer policy? Labs depend on donor availability, so ask what happens if the date moves.

Where Prospyr fits

A cadaver course changes how you plan and document a treatment: depth, plane, product and amount by area. Those details belong in the chart for every visit, with photos alongside. See how Prospyr handles aesthetic charting, or book a practice demo.

Frequently asked questions

Is a cadaver course worth it for injectors?

Many injectors find it the clearest way to see where vessels and planes sit relative to injection points. It does not replace supervised live-patient training, and it does not change your scope of practice. AmSpa and The Aesthetic Immersion say their labs suit newer and experienced injectors, while AAFE requires a foundation course first.

How much does an aesthetic cadaver course cost?

Published fees on this list run from $3,297 to $4,250 for one hands-on day and $4,995 for a two-day bundle, as of October 2026. Online cadaver-based anatomy is much cheaper, starting at $149 per module. Travel and missed clinic days are extra.

Can nurses take cadaver courses?

Yes. AmSpa, AAFE and Empire list RNs, nurse practitioners and PAs among eligible attendees, alongside physicians and dentists. Each requires an active license, and what you may inject afterward still depends on your state rules and your medical director.

Do cadaver courses cover complications?

Several do. AmSpa's lab includes a filler complications panel, and others focus on vascular anatomy and danger zones. For dedicated training, see our list of aesthetic complication management courses.

Want your company considered?

We review this list quarterly. Companies that run cadaver courses for aesthetic injectors can send their website and what they offer practices to info@prospyrmed.com. Inclusion is editorial and not paid.

Editorial scope

This list is based on each provider's public website, checked October 2026 with AI-assisted research. Providers did not review this article before publication. It is not a guarantee of results, licensure or scope of practice, or a substitute for checking references and credentials. Read our methodology or report a correction.