PracticalDermatology

With the start of a new year and, by popular accounts, a new decade, thoughts turn to the future. But as is so often the case, when it comes to cosmetic dermatology, it seems that what’s old is new again. Here are some trends to keep an eye on in the months ahead.

Focus on Skincare

Skincare and cosmetic dermatology seem to go hand-in-hand, yet not every patient—or physician—may pay heed to the benefits of topicals. “Everybody gets skincare,” says Nashville’s resident device guru Michael H. Gold, MD in an interview for DermTube. “I don’t talk about combination devices unless the patient is willing to get on a really good skincare routine.”

Dermatologists may select from numerous available products for pre- and post-procedure care, Dr. Gold says, but “Make sure they have science behind them.” In particular, he emphasizes the importance of, “Clinical data showing that you can use them before and after procedures. I love using really good quality skincare, because that enhances everything we do.”

New York City’s Amy Lewis, MD encourages the use of topical skincare products that contain multiple ingredients for multiple functions or use of two or more products that may have complementary effects.

She also stresses the benefit of skincare beyond the face. “As we have become experts at rejuvenation of the face, we are now looking at going off the face—we’re looking at the hands, the neck, the décolletage,” says Dr. Lewis.

Go Low

S. Manjula Jegasothy, MD enjoys innovating in her Miami practice. “This year was a great year for me to discover new uses for some of the lasers that I already have in my office,” she says. Specifically, she has focused on using less aggressive approaches with her patients.

“Less is more now with lasers…I think especially as dermatologists, the experts on skin biology and histology, we can really target the laser to the right place but really the right setting to get best results.” She says this approach has helped her get better results with conditions like melasma and inflammatory photodamage.

To see more from the interviews with Drs. Gold, Lewis, and Jegasothy, visit PracticalDermatology.com/videos.

Natural is In

Many dermatologists note that patients increasingly seek natural-looking results, yet when it comes to social media picture posts, there has been a focus on extreme appearances. Now, due to reports of negative effects on mental health, especially among adolescents, Instagram (owned by Facebook), is removing all augmented reality filters that depict cosmetic surgery.

In addition, the social media giant is striking all effects from the gallery that are associated with plastic surgery and postponing the approval of new such effects, according to the Spark AR platform, the company behind Instagram’s face filters. Instagram also is restricting people under the age of 18 from seeing posts that promote weight loss products or types of cosmetic surgery. The service will strike down posts that make a miraculous claim about diet or weight loss products as well as those linked to a commercial offer, such as a discount code.

In the latest edition of Modern Aesthetics® magazine, social media marketing expert Wendy Lewis, Founder/President of Wendy Lewis & Co. Ltd. and author of 12 books including Aesthetic Clinic Marketing in the Digital Age, discussed these changes and what they may, or may not, mean for your practice.

“Don’t hang up your scrubs and scalpels just yet,” Ms. Lewis cautions. “This should not have any significant effects on your patient flow or schedule in the near future. As for non-surgical, minimally invasive procedures, the demand continues to rise year-over-year as new developments enter the market and greater awareness remains in play.”

Read the full interview with Wendy Lewis click here.