Welcome to the latest issue of the Consulting Room magazine, and, as you may have noticed, there’s something different about us this month. That’s right, we have gone digital!
The world produces around 420 million tonnes of paper each year. Not only does papermaking release chemicals into the air, encourage deforestation, and pollute water supplies, but it also creates an enormous amount of waste.
So we decided to play our part in helping to reduce excess paper consumption by going digital with our magazine.
Another change you might notice this month is that we have divided the magazine into new sections: News and Events, Clinical, Technology, Skin and Business, as well as our special focus, which this month is hair.
On that note, let’s take a look at some of the features in this month’s issue. As part of our hair special, we chat with Dr Munir Somji about his new in-clinic protocol for hair loss (p22-23); find out about the latest in hair removal technology from Alma (p24-25) and chat with Élan Laser Clinics about the NHS scheme they are running to support transgender patients with hair removal services (p26-27).
Also in this issue, we take a look at the trend for Barbie Botox (p42-43), lip filler dissolving (p36-38) and treating pigmentation in the autumn months (p60-62) and look at considerations when assessing patients with ADHD for aesthetic treatments (p30-34).
As well as this, we have all the latest industry and product news as well as a snippet from Dr Patrick Treacey’s new book, The Living History of Medicine (p52 -54).
We hope you enjoy the new format and look forward to hearing your feedback.
Karen Sargeant, founder of First Aid for Mental Health training provider Charlie Oscar, discusses considerations when assessing patients with ADHD for aesthetic treatments.
There’s a new trend gaining popularity on TikTok and it’s called “Barbie Botox”, but is this just marketing hype or something to worry about? We spoke to GP and aesthetic doctor, Dr Ahmed El Muntasar to find out more.
Integrating plant-based exosomes alongside your aesthetic treatments to enhance outcomes.
Dr Sana Sadiq shares a case study demonstrating correction of poor lip filler.
Vicky Eldridge discusses the impact of engaging copy and how creating it can help your business stand out from the crowd.
We spoke to two cosmetic doctors about their recommendations for treating two stubborn types of pigmentation, and why the colder months are the best time to do it.
26
Élan Laser Clinics Group director of aesthetic services Lisa MasonPoyner chats to us about the NHS-funded epilation services they provide to those undergoing gender-affirming surgery (GAS).
Advertising & Membership Manager
The UK’s largest and longest running aesthetic industry information website and business portal.
Consultingroom.com Ltd
E: admin@consultingroom.com
© Copyright 2018-2022 Consulting Room
Material may not be republished or reproduced in any form which removes attribution to Consulting Room, without the publisher's written permission. Press clippings can be obtained from the Editor. The publishers accept no responsibility for the information transmitted by contributors or advertisers through publication in the Consulting Room magazine. Inclusion of advertisements does not imply endorsement of the products or services advertised. The Editor's decision is final in all matters.
Published by Consultingroom.com Ltd, registered as a limited company in England; No. 4617405.
Rebecca Faulkner-Graham | Sales Manager
E: rebecca.graham@consultingroom.co.uk
T: 07568 359 741
Marketing & Supplier Relations
Danielle Lowe | Marketing Manager
E: danielle@consultingroom.co.uk
Customer Support & Subscriptions
Membership Support Team
E: admin@consultingroom.com
E: craig@consultingroom.co.uk
Recruitment
Sabrina Haynes | Recruitment Specialist
E: sabrina@consultingroom.co.uk
T: 07734 203 105
Editor
Content Manager
E: editor@consultingroom.co.uk
Please be aware that some articles included in this magazine are certified for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and may make a contribution to your personal CPD requirements.
To download a CPD Reflective Learning Form, produced in association with the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN) & the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM), please use the QR code or visit bit.ly/CR-CPD in your web browser.
Consulting Room has a long history of working with key figures within the global medical aesthetic community, many of whom are advisers on our website. We are honoured to welcome many of them, and others, to the Editorial Board of our quarterly magazine Without their wealth of knowledge and expertise in this diverse sector, we would not be able to provide the levels of educational content on clinical, nutritional and business topics that you will find within this magazine.
Dr David Eccleston 20 years in Medical Aesthetics and a Private GP. Clinical Director at MediZen. Local Country Ambassador for Allergan and lead investigator in many clinical trials.
Ron Myers Business Coach, Director of Aesthetic Business Partners LLP, former Director of HydraFacial UK and Co-Founder of The Consulting Room Group.
Internationally recognised expert in venous disease and endovenous surgery.
Dr
Treacy Founded the Ailesbury Clinic based in Dublin. Current President of the RSM (London) Aesthetic Faculty. Chairman of the Irish Association of Cosmetic Doctors.
Educator & Speaker. British College of Aesthetic Medicine
Former President & Int. Peeling Society Board. Founded London Aesthetic Medicine Clinic & LAM Academy.
Nurse specialising in cosmetic medicine since 1998. Co-founder and pastChair of the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses.
Martyn Roe A Specialist Business Consultant and Co-Founder of The Consulting Room Group. Martyn is now Business Development Director of Clé Medical Ltd.
Veronica Donnelly VAT partner at Azets. She has been a VAT adviser for 30 years, and heads up the Specialist Aesthetic accounting team for the firm.
Pam
Business coach, trainer and mentor working exclusively with aesthetic professionals through her business Aesthetic Business Transformations.
with a Masters (ANutr) in Human Nutrition from University of Aberdeen; an Association for Nutrition accredited course.
at the Farjo Hair Institute with a special interest in the regulation of Hair Restoration Surgery in the UK.
lack
Dr Patrick Treacy is the founder of the Ailesbury Clinic, Dublin. Recognised globally as a leading pioneer and expert in aesthetic medicine, he is President of the Royal Society of Medicine (London) Aesthetic Faculty and Chairman of the Irish Association of Cosmetic Doctors.
Dr Munir Somji is a cosmetic surgeon and founder of DrMediSpa. He has almost a decade of experience in performing and teaching advanced aesthetic procedures. He is often called upon to lecture at his former university, Kings College London, and speak at industry events.
Vicky Eldridge is an award-winning journalist and editor who has specialised in aesthetics for almost 20 years. She is founding editor of Aesthetic Medicine and edited five supplements for The Times. In 2015, she won a Safety in Beauty Award for supporting standards within the industry.
A multi-award-winning dentist and advanced facial aesthetics practitioner. She has won numerous accolades including the prestigious University of London Gold Medal Award, NSK Rising Star Award and was shortlisted for Best Young Dentist in London at the Private Dentistry Awards in 2020.
An award-winning facial aesthetics doctor with clinics in London, Leeds, and Cheshire, Dr Ahmed El Muntasar has established himself as a go-to aesthetic practitioner among VIPs, influencers, and models. His Instagram following makes him one of the most followed aesthetic doctors in the UK.
Karen is the founder of Charlie Oscar, a training company dedicated to mental health and wellness in the workplace. She has been in aesthetics for over 35 years and is now a business consultant working with aesthetic and surgical practices. contact her at: Info@charlieoscar.co.uk.
Dr Settipalli has trained all over the world, authored publications and directed clinical research in multiple countries. His expertise varies from subjects such as biotechnology and dermatological biochemistry to bioelectromagnetics and quantum electrodynamics.
Dr Catharine Denning is a GMC registered medical doctor with a background in anatomy, research and plastic surgery, having trained in the West London NHS Trusts. Dr Denning believes passionately in promoting the importance of practising only safe, evidence-based medicine.
Dr Bawa is a multi-award-winning cosmetic doctor and international speaker, regularly writing for journals in the aesthetic industry. He specialises in the full facial approach, is passionate about mentoring and created a national support group for junior practitioners entering the industry.
A new survey has revealed the reasons people are put off undergoing non-surgical aesthetic treatments, such as dermal fillers, thread lifts and wrinkle-relaxing injections. It also highlights considerable regional, age, and gender divides in aspects such as fears about looking ‘fake’, horror stories in the press and what friends, family and partners might think.
The research was conducted by independent survey company OnePoll on behalf of SafeAP (https://safeap.co.uk), a marketplace app that helps people find qualified practitioners, founded by two female NHS doctors. It surveyed 500 men and women who have considered cosmetic treatments such as non-surgical liposuction, facial peels and rejuvenating injections, but ultimately did not go ahead, on exactly what has put them off.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, in the current climate, cost is still the number one factor in changing people’s minds about undergoing cosmetic procedures, with half (50%) citing this reason.This is closely followed by fears of possible complications (46%); looking unnatural (e.g., over-inflated lips, frozen expressions) with 41% quoting this as the cause; and ‘horror stories in the media’ at 32%.
Other highlights include:
• 28% are scared of suffering pain during the treatment
• Nearly a quarter (22%) don’t know how to find a reputable practitioner
• One in five (21%) decided they want to ‘grow old gracefully/accept their flaws’ – yet there is a considerable age discrepancy, with older people less likely to accept their fate
One in six (16%) fear being judged by friends and family (interestingly, the older the respondent, the less likely they were to care)
• One in seven (14%) are worried their partner wouldn’t like it.
There’s also a considerable gender divide in certain factors, such as the worry about complications - over half (53%) of women cite that as a concern, compared to just over a third (36%) of men. Women are also more likely to be put off by horror stories in the media, with half (49%) scared off having treatments thanks to frightening headlines. Men care considerably less, however, with just over a quarter (27%) being concerned about what they see or read in the news. However, women may be more exposed to negative stories in female-focused publications.
Genders are aligned when it comes to growing old gracefully, with equal numbers (21%) saying they are resigned to what they see in the mirror and will accept their flaws (though this changes with age!). More men than women, however, are concerned about what partners will think, with around one in six (15%) men reporting that as a factor, compared to about one in eight (13%) women.
Interestingly, more than twice the amount of men (21%) than women (9%) admit to having already had a negative experience with a cosmetic procedure.
• Nearly two-thirds (63%) of people living in Northern Ireland are worried about cost, compared to just 38% in the East of England
• Over half (56%) of people living in the East of England are scared of complications
• Almost half of people (47%) in the West Midlands have been put off by horror stories in the press
Just 13% of Scots are bothered about pain, compared to 38% in the East of England
• Scots might not be bothered about pain, but they certainly care what their partners think, with a quarter citing that as a reason for avoiding treatments
• Almost one in three (28%) people living in Yorkshire and the Humber are not sure where to start or how to find a reputable practitioner
Growing old gracefully is a factor for 29% in the North West, but definitely not on the radar for people living in Wales, with just 9% happy to accept their beauty destiny
• No respondents in the South West of England have had a prior negative experience, while a quarter (24%) of those in the North West have suffered at the hands of an unscrupulous practitioner.
Unsurprisingly, the less ageing a person has experienced, the more likely they are to be resigned to their flaws, with 43% of 18-24 year-olds happy to grow old gracefully but only 18% of 55-64 year-olds saying the same.
Older folks were also less likely to fear judgment from friends and family – with one in five (21%) 18 to 24-year-olds worrying about this factor, versus only 8% of over 65-year-olds.
SafeAP also released the results of a
companion survey, which polled 500 women only. The results were largely the same, although it further revealed that 80% of women in Northern Ireland are concerned that they would appear unnatural, superseding all other concerns.
Maxillofacial surgeon Sieuming Ng who, along with Dr Subha Punj, pioneered SafeAP to ensure that non-surgical aesthetic procedures are delivered by qualified healthcare professionals in a safe environment, said, “It’s always interesting to get an overview of human behaviour in times of social change, such as during the current cost-of-living crisis and a postpandemic world.
“Unsurprisingly, in this climate, cost is still the overriding factor for many people considering undergoing an aesthetic treatment. However, the survey did throw up some interesting results. For example, few over-65 year-olds cite fear of pain as an issue, compared to almost 60% of 18 to 24-year-olds. This may mean that with age comes less worry when compared to the benefits of achieving a rejuvenating look.
“Gender differences were also notable – perhaps men feel less of a societal stigma and are less fearful about possible complications or looking ‘unnatural’.”
The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has released its consultation document on the future of licensing for aesthetic treatments in England.
This consultation considers which treatments could be included in a license for practitioners and invites responses from the public.
Following the announcement, the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN) and British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) which represent nearly 2,000 medically registered health care professionals practising in the medical aesthetic speciality, issued a joint statement saying they would be continuing to campaign for a medical approach to aesthetic procedures and would be analysing and sharing the findings and proposals in the document from the DHSC and submitting detailed comments.
Sharon Bennett, chair of the BACN said, “The British Association of Cosmetic Nurses supports any move towards regulation which puts patient safety at the heart of its agenda. Together we will be working with BCAM, and other stakeholders to ensure that any member of the public undergoing a medical aesthetic treatment is given the ‘reasonable standard of care’ as expected in any medical treatment.”
Dr Catherine Fairris, president BCAM, said, “BCAM welcomes licensing, especially if it puts patient safety at the centre of its agenda by promoting the medical model of aesthetics. We want to work collaboratively with BACN and the other main stake holders to ensure that this consultation achieves the most effectual licencing policy for aesthetics in the UK’.
The consultation is open until 28 October 2023, and we invite all practitioners to contribute here. https://www.gov.uk/ government/consultations/licensing-of-non-surgical-cosmetic-procedures?dm_i=4TFC,UQRG,5UU239,3WDMH,1
The British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) has applauded The City of Wolverhampton Council for its approach to illegal aesthetic treatments and urges other councils to follow suit.
Following an undercover investigation of businesses illegally offering botulinum toxin and dermal filler procedures to those aged under 18, Wolverhampton’s Trading Standards department has issued written warnings with the threat of further enforcement action in future.
The Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act 2021 made it a criminal offence to make arrangements, book an appointment or administer toxin or fillers to anyone under 18. Of 18 businesses contacted, it found that eight said ID was not required for a consultation. Three of the eight businesses said they would arrange a consultation despite knowing the caller was under 18.
BCAM is now encouraging other Councils and Trading Standards departments to learn from Wolverhampton’s approach and carry out their own investigations.
President of BCAM, Dr Catherine Fairris, said, “We are delighted to learn that The City of Wolverhampton Council is taking these concerns seriously and taking action where necessary. While its investigation highlights the issue, it’s important to recognise that the problem isn’t isolated to one city – reports from our members tell us that illegal and unsafe use of aesthetic procedures is rife across the UK and needs to be addressed urgently to protect our most vulnerable.”
BCAM urges local authorities to look at the resources available to help eradicate illegal activity across the country.
In the 2022-2023 financial year, the Government has determined that it will pay grants totalling £1,456,699 to local authorities across England to support them with expenditures lawfully incurred because of the Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act 2021. The Government has also issued guidance for local authorities and police to use to successfully implement the legislation. This includes scenario-based examples to help identify an offence and legitimate defences available.
Dr Fairris added, “With a clearly identified problem and resources available, we at BCAM see no reason why investigations into the illegal administration of botulinum toxin and fillers to children are not being carried out across England. Unethical businesses are exposing children to unnecessary risk of serious complications such as infection. They may also be perpetuating poor body image and placing undue pressure on those who do not need these treatments.”
The Medical Aesthetic Prescribing Programme (MAPP), a groundbreaking initiative designed to provide comprehensive education and support for aesthetic nurses aspiring to become prescribers, has launched. Founded by four multidisciplinary prescribing professionals, Dr Sunny Dhesi, Amy Lamb, Helen Summers, and Mr Vivek Kuvelker, MAPP aims to empower nurses considering or already undertaking their V300 prescribing course at university or embarking on their journey as newly qualified prescribers.
“Our collective experience revealed a lack of adequate support for nurses aspiring to become prescribers,” said Dr Dhesi, a respected cosmetic doctor and GP. “We recognised the need for a dedicated platform to foster education and foster a supportive community of aspiring prescribers, and thus, the Medical Aesthetic Prescribing Programme was born.”
MAPP offers a comprehensive online course encompassing all aspects of medical aesthetic prescriber training, equipping participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their roles. From practical guidance on the V300 prescribing course requirements to insights on best practices in the field, MAPP ensures that every participant receives the guidance they need to succeed.
“We believe that supporting aspiring aesthetic nurses in their prescribing journey is not only vital for their personal growth but also contributes to raising the overall standard of care in the industry,” said Amy Lamb, an accomplished aesthetic nurse prescriber and V300 supervisor. “With MAPP, we aim to set a new benchmark for excellence in medical aesthetics.”
Helen Summers, aesthetic nurse prescriber and V300 assessor added, “Our programme’s multidisciplinary approach sets it apart. We bring together experts from various fields to provide a holistic learning experience, which is unparalleled in the industry.”
The founders have created an online community through their Instagram and Facebook pages, which serve as a hub for MAPP’s participants to connect, learn, and exchange ideas. They are fostering a collaborative and inclusive space where members can access valuable resources, engage in discussions, and stay updated on the latest industry trends.
To learn more about MAPP, visit www.mapp.org.uk
Heightened stress due to the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis has caused a surge in people seeking botulinum toxin treatment to relax overworked jaw muscles. Temporomandibular disorder (TMD), also known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ disorder), affects the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, causing issues including headaches, jaw pain and clicking, limited chewing function, and limited mouth opening. One cause of TMD is teeth-grinding (bruxism) due to stress, which is affecting increasing numbers of people during the cost-of-living crisis and post-pandemic world. Higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol were found in people suffering from TMD.
Authors of The Influence of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on TMJ Disorders, OSAS and BMI found a prevalence of TMD in a cohort of 208 participants from different private dental practices. Another study, The Prevalence and Predicting Factors of Temporomandibular Disorders in COVID-19 Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study, found a 41.9% prevalence of TMD in Covid-positive participants.
However, the lack of regulations in the UK regarding who can administer these and other non-surgical treatments is leaving people open to unscrupulous practitioners who may not have the experience or training to administer the toxin safely or deal with potential complications.
NHS Maxillofacial surgeon and SafeAP co-founder Miss Sieuming Ng said, “We are definitely seeing the rise in people seeking botulinum toxin treatment for jaw pain from grinding. While perceived to be a ‘cosmetic’ treatment, it is still ultimately a prescription medication used not just in aesthetics but also in functional cases such as for TMD or even facial paralysis. Yet, there is a complacency around who actually wields the needle. Problems such as allergic reactions or other side effects can arise even in the best of hands, so it is important that the public seek qualified clinicians who can deal with any possible complications. One’s health should never be a gamble.”
The Safe Aesthetic Practitioner (SafeAP) is an app for both practitioners and customers. It offers qualified practitioners business management tools, including a platform to outline their qualifications, while offering customers a portal to connect with registered professionals.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA), Europe’s regulatory authority for pharmaceuticals, has initiated an investigation into certain weight loss injections amid concerns over a potential connection to suicidal thoughts and selfharm.
Member state Iceland raised the alarm after it reported three cases that appeared to be linked to these injections. An EMA spokesperson disclosed, “Iceland reported three cases of concern, two of which involved suicidal thoughts – one occurred following the administration of Saxenda, and another after using Ozempic. Additionally, one case reported thoughts of self-injury associated with Saxenda.”
The safety review will encompass several drugs, including Wegovy, Saxenda, and Ozempic. As stated by the EMA, these medications are designed to assist with weight loss by suppressing patients’ appetite.
The possibility of suicidal thoughts is already listed as a potential side effect in the product information for these weight loss medications. Ozempic’s product information leaflet advises users to monitor any mental changes, particularly sudden alterations in mood, behaviour, thoughts, or emotions. It also advises them to contact their healthcare provider promptly if they experience new, worsening, or concerning mental changes.
Collums is back in business after fears it would have to shut operations due to a sudden loss of funding. Dr Askari Townshend, founder of ASKINOLOGY clinic, who started Collums in 2018 after frustration with the six different software systems he had used, announced the decision to pause the Collums project until further funding could be found. However, within 48 hours, a turnaround plan was finalised to secure the future of the company. All existing Collums customers will have their service continue as normal. New customers will be able to join an interest list, but new sign-ups are paused until further notice.
“I’ve been overwhelmed with the support I’ve received not just from our customers but the community as a whole – there clearly is still a strong need for quality clinical software for aesthetic practitioners. Our future is secure, and we look forward to opening our doors to new customers once again in the coming months,” said Dr Townshend.
Successful female-led clinic SAS Aesthetics is supporting the charity CAMFED (The Campaign for Female Education) to provide other aspiring women with the opportunity to achieve their full potential. CAMFED provides an abundance of educational support for marginalised young women and vulnerable girls in sub-Saharan Africa. SAS Aesthetics is committing to providing 720 days of education each quarter, which guarantees 16 girls stay in education each year.
Dr Mahsa Saleki, founder and clinical director of SAS Aesthetics, said, “I am proud to support CAMFED. At SAS, we are fortunate enough to make people feel good about themselves every day. Through this amazing initiative, we get to spread that positivity far beyond the clinic and the UK, giving opportunity through education to those who would not otherwise have access to it.”
Evolus UK expands pharmacy partners
Evolus UK is now opening up the distribution network of authorised pharmacy stockists to enable more customers to access Nuceiva through their preferred supplier. The pharma brand is expanding its distributor partnership to include HealthXChange and Medfx. The product is already available through Wigmore, who helped the company launch into the market.
The Aesthetic Consultant introduces new video coaching service
Vanessa Bird, The Aesthetic Consultant, has announced the launch of a new service: B.R.A.I.N.S. The one-to-one video coaching sessions are designed to give field sales representatives, account managers, BDMs, and territory managers the skills needed to work their territory effectively. This includes time management, prospecting, cold-calling techniques, relationship building, networking, and referrals. For more information, visit theaestheticconsultant.co.uk/ corporate-services
BTL Aesthetics appoints Miss Sherina Balaratnam as KOL BTL Aesthetics has expanded its team of global key opinion leaders (KOLs) with the appointment of Miss (Dr) Sherina Balaratnam. With over 25 years of experience as a qualified doctor, Dr Balaratnam owns the multi-award-winning clinic, S-Thetics, in Buckinghamshire, UK. Her insights, research and experience will assist the R&D team with future technological development as well as continuing to increase brand awareness and product education.
Allergan Aesthetics launches new patient consultation app
Allergan Aesthetics has launched its new Patient Education and Consultation App, ‘AMI Education and Consultation’. The app aims to support Healthcare Professionals to enhance patient consultations. It includes features such as a bespoke treatment planner and a visual aid element to further support consumer understanding of procedures.
A new non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting doctors practising functional medicine has launched. The British College of Functional Medicine (BCFM) is open to doctors interested in integrating functional medicine into their practices and providing a higher standard of patient care. Functional medicine is a biologybased approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease and chronic health conditions. It considers a patient’s individual genes, medical history, environment, diet, and lifestyle to create personalised and effective treatment plans.
Co-founder Dr Mayoni Gooneratne said, “Research demonstrates that those with chronic diseases experience a lower quality of life, which often leads to other chronic conditions such as decreased mental health and general wellbeing. As doctors, we have the opportunity to work together using functional medicine practices to transform the nation’s health and wellbeing. Joining the BCFM will ensure you get access to the very best education and resources to guide you on successfully delivering functional medicine strategies to your patients, while giving you the opportunity to be part of a change for good.”
5 Squirrels was recently acknowledged as the Best Skincare Manufacturer in the South of England by the Prestige Awards. This latest accolade is a testament to the company’s unwavering commitment to excellence within the skincare industry.
The Prestige Awards, renowned for celebrating businesses that demonstrate remarkable performance and dedication to their profession, have recognised 5 Squirrels as a pioneer in providing top-tier skincare products and services.
Gary Conroy, the CEO of 5 Squirrels, expressed pride over the company’s latest award win, stating, “This recognition serves as a testament to the hard work and enthusiasm of our brilliant team. Winning this award also reinforces our clients’ faith in us and our products. It reflects their courage in launching their own brand skincare range, choosing innovation over relying solely on mainstream ‘clinic-only’ brands. It demonstrates that their trust in us was well-placed, and we are dedicated to providing them with exceptional products and services.”
A recent study published in the journal Skin Health and Disease has shed light on the experiences of 655 individuals who underwent botulinum toxin treatments. According to the findings, a significant 79% of these patients reported encountering some form of adverse event.
Conducted by a team of researchers from the University College London (UCL), the survey delved deeper into the aftermath of these treatments. It revealed that a substantial 69% of respondents experienced enduring side effects. Moreover, 68.4% of those surveyed had not fully recovered physically from their complications, while 63.5% indicated lingering emotional impacts, and 61.7% reported enduring psychological consequences.
The research, which collated side effects reported at a variety of different timeframes following treatment, found ‘anxiety’ to be the most commonly reported side effect (n=85), followed by pain (n=85), headache/migraine (n=75), panic attacks (n=46), dizziness (n=33), brain fog (n=33) and tinnitus (n=31).
Following treatment, 92% of respondents stated their injector (39.2% doctors, 36.5% nurses, 13.8% beauticians, 4.6% dentists, 5.9% other) did not inform them about the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Yellow Card Reporting Scheme for complications.
PB Group announces launch of Aesthetic Medicine Glasgow
The Professional Beauty Group has announced the launch of a new trade exhibition, Aesthetic Medicine Glasgow. The one-day event will be held at the SEC Glasgow on June 8, 2024. Aesthetic Medicine Glasgow is the group’s first show based in Scotland. Aesthetic professionals will be able to explore the exhibition featuring professional brands and participate in live education sessions.
Oral care company SmileDirectClub (SDC) UK has opened eight new ‘SmileShops’. The new locations in Dublin, Glasgow, Bristol, Leicester and Essex are part of an exclusive partnership with Thérapie Clinic. In addition to the partnership, new SmileShops have also been established in Liverpool and Sheffield, with plans to further expand SmileDirectClub’s presence across the UK, Ireland and the US by the end of 2023.
The Skin Health Alliance has launched We Stand For Skin, an empowerment campaign aimed at inspiring people to accept their individuality and encourage confidence and comfort in their skin. The campaign celebrates diverse skin types, tones, colours, textures and conditions, highlighting the beauty in skin’s inherent uniqueness. It highlights four real people’s skin stories and explores the importance of championing shared individuality.
GetHarley, the global online gateway that connects consumers with worldclass clinicians and medical-grade skincare products, has raised $52 million in funding. The Company’s angel investor base includes highprofile executives such as Andrew Robb (ex-COO of Farfetch), Sian Keane (current Chief People Officer of Farfetch), John Veichmanis (COO of Carwow), Vincenzo Iozzo (exCrowdStrike and cybersecurity expert) and James Vincent (Founder of FNDR and brand strategist for Apple and Airbnb).
How effective is your receptionist in persuading potential clients to book a consultation?
With the correct call-handling and CRM training your front-of-house staff could easily convert more initial enquiry calls into consultations and increase your clinic’s or salon’s turnover by £1,000s each year.
Missed or poorly handled telephone enquiries cost your business thousands of pounds a year and waste money that you spend on marketing and advertising to attract those calls in the first place.
You may think your clinic is already great at converting calls but you would be surprised how many clinics get it so wrong.
Our unique online, comprehensive, professional and certificated training can rectify mistakes effectively.
Australian prescription skincare range, The Secret Skincare, has officially landed in the UK and will be available for referral exclusively at Dr Tapan’s PHI Clinic.
Developed by Perth doctors Clara Hurst and Deb Cohen-Jones, The Secret Skincare, is one of the world’s first prescription skincare ranges directly targeting exact skin requirements and issues.
The range was created because the founders listened to what their patients wanted and delivered what they needed: a simple yet effective regime offering real results.
Launched in 2019, the company quickly built a cult following all over the world. Dr Patel and Dr Hurst led a press event at The Langham, London in June to mark the UK partnership.
“PHI Clinic is delighted to announce that we have been chosen by The Secret Skincare to be their exclusive launch partner in the UK”, said Dr Patel. “I have been in the industry for more than 20 years and experienced numerous skincare ranges, but this is by far the best I’ve seen! Developed in Australia, The Secret Skincare is compounded and bespoke to each patient to create a truly unique range that delivers wow results.”
Medical-grade skincare brand mesoestetic hosted 15 medical professionals and 30 aesthetic practitioners at their headquarters in Barcelona. Over the course of the week, both groups had the opportunity to witness the careful precision and standards mesoestetic put in place when developing and producing their respected treatments and products as well as taking part in tailored hands-on training.
Stephen Schofield, Commercial and Business manager, said, “These visits provide a fantastic opportunity for mesoestetic to share our knowledge of the wide range of treatments and products and show the high standards of manufacturing we adhere to. It also gives us the invaluable opportunity to connect with our customers on a face-to-face level. We are looking forward to the next two visits in October.”
Eight aesthetic nurses from the UK were invited on an exclusive trip to Rome to discover the science behind polynucleotides in June.
Hosted by UK distributor DermaFocus, in collaboration with manufacturer Mastelli, the trip focused on the injectable-based PLINEST and NEWEST polynucleotide product ranges. The products use polynucleotides to stimulate fibroblasts to regenerate aged and damaged skin – treating fine lines, poor tone and texture, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation and rosacea –with NEWEST also containing hyaluronic acid to rehydrate and lightly volumise skin.
Regenerative aesthetic experts Professor Maurizio Cavallini and Dr Marco Papagni led the training; first detailing the research and science behind the product ranges and then overseeing a hands-on injecting masterclass.
The nurses chosen to attend the trip each have extensive experience in aesthetics and are now looking to integrate regenerative treatments into their clinics. They included Mel Recchia, Cheryl Barton, Caroline Hall, Kate Harding, Kate Monteith-Ross, Donna McKenna and Grace Cobner.
Nurse prescriber Cheryl Barton, who has a clinic in Sheffield, said, “It was a pleasure to meet with Professor Cavallini who has published ground-breaking research and data on polynucleotides from Mastelli. We are working closely with DermaFocus who are paving the way forward in the UK on polynucleotides, which I firmly believe will be a game changer in aesthetic medicine, especially their soon to be launched product PLINEST Eye for those looking for an eyelid correction, without surgery.”
After the training, the group attended an informal dinner with the DermaFocus and Mastelli teams, before getting the opportunity to explore Rome. They were also invited to the Rome-Dubai Breast Symposium which, as well as focusing on surgery, held sessions on how polynucleotides enhance skin quality.
Milad Bemana, executive director of DermaFocus, said, “Polynucleotides are rapidly gaining popularity amongst practitioners looking for regenerative treatments that can transform skin on a cellular level. The Mastelli range is in demand thanks to its unique formulas that can treat different indications, so it was an honour to give these leading aesthetic nurses the opportunity to take a deep dive into the continued research and innovation behind the products. They have hopefully returned home armed with the knowledge and skills to successfully introduce polynucleotides to their patients, transforming skin from within.”
The team behind the sell-out Menopause in Aesthetics (MiA) conference has announced the educational line-up for its first-of-its-kind consumer event – Pause Live!
Aimed at empowering women to take back control of their lives and bodies through every stage of their menopause journey, Pause Live! will take place at the Business Design Centre, London, on Saturday, November 25.
The education stage will feature topics such as: gaining access and effective answers from your GP; shedding light on weight loss; unlocking the HRT puzzle; navigating stress, depression, and anxiety; mastering lifestyle choices for lasting health and wellness; intimate health; conquering sleep challenges; taking control of bladder health; understanding and addressing hair loss and the secrets to successfully treating skin health through menopause.
Tickets also include access to a live stage full of fun and informative discussions from experts and real-life patients featuring comedian Jenny Eclair and 80s pop sensation Sinitta talking sex on the sofa; a wellness hub where visitors can sign up to taster sessions of yoga, Pilates, hula hooping and strength training, as well as a womb healing sound bath, meditation and healing; 1-2-1 meetings where women can discuss their menopause concerns and get advice from leading practitioners and alternative therapies to soothe and support symptoms.
Tickets cost £29.99 and include VIP goodie bags. Book today at www.pauselive.com
The Aesthetics Business Conference provides you with support to set up your business, and provides advice to guide you through your journey in the cosmetic industry.
This year’s agenda features carefully selected industry experts to guide you through the common pitfalls to make sure you achieve ultimate business success. New for 2023, join us for our medicolegal sessions with the JCCP to keep up to date on the legislation changes.
www.aestheticsbusinessconference.co.uk
SEPTEMBER 9.00 - 18.30
We chat with Dr Munir Somji about hair loss and his newly launched non-surgical solution – CALECIM® Resilient Hair Rehab with DNA testing
Androgenetic alopecia, also known as ‘male pattern hair loss’ or ‘female pattern hair loss’, is the most common type of hair loss, affecting approximately 50% of people over 50. As such, there is an ever-increasing demand for treatments that address it noninvasively and with little downtime.
Dr Munir Somji is the founder of DrMediSpa and is globally recognised amongst colleagues and industry experts as one of the leading doctors within the field of aesthetics with a specialist interest in hair. He believes the incidence of androgenetic alopecia is a lot higher than we think, especially among menopausal women.
“Androgenetic alopecia is highly prevalent. The incidence is much higher than we think, and there’s definitely been a trend of female hair loss.
“For women, as their oestrogen levels drop in the peri-menopausal period, and if they have a sensitivity to testosterone, they will start seeing an increase in the amount of
hair loss they are getting. Female pattern hair loss is different from male in that you get this global thinning. Then, towards the menopausal process, you start getting this temporal recession, which mimics male pattern hair loss.
“With men, it was that traditional pattern, temporal recession and then crown recession. But I would postulate, in terms of feedback from patients at the clinic, that it’s probably more emotionally connected for women to lose hair than it is for men. Because unfortunately, in society, it’s socially acceptable for a man to lose some hair.
“That’s why we are seeing an exponential rise in female treatments, particularly non-surgical treatments. Because a lot of females might not be appropriate for surgery, too.”
The other increasing form of hair loss Dr Somji is seeing relates to scalp health, particularly in the post-pandemic world, where many people also suffered telogen
effluvium as a result of COVID-19 and with other factors at play. “There are environmental behaviours within society, such as hair extensions and heat-based treatments, that can cause telogen effluvium or shock loss”, says Dr Somji. “Even some types of masks that block the scalp can cause profound hair loss, although it tends to be reversible. So scalp health is really important.”
Dr Somji regards CALECIM as his ‘stem cells on ice’. Following the success, he saw in his patients post hair transplant, in both results and reductions in procedure downtimes, he wanted to curate a treatment to revolutionise non-invasive hair procedures. Improving hair density and quality with transformational results for his patients. Enter, the CALECIM® Resilient Hair Rehab Treatment.
This future-facing treatment intelligently harnesses the power of dynamic stemcell signalling technology with DNA hair testing. The ground-breaking signalling ceiling occurs when stem cell extracts are successfully able to send ‘cellular messages’ to the hair follicle cells, stimulating growth and creating a healthier environment for thicker, glossier, and more resilient hair to grow.
The treatment has clinically validated results that show a 24% increase in the growth of hair follicle cells and a 30x reduction in inflammatory signals within the hair follicle (a leading contributor to hair cell follicle death). It has been clinically proven that stem cell-derived growth factors are able to re-invigorate dormant and sluggish hair follicles.
This is a particular advantage for female hair loss, where surgery isn’t always appropriate. Dr Somji explains, “Sometimes when you’ve got this global thinning pattern, what you get is ‘miniaturisation’ where the hair shock grows through in the hair cycle, thinner and thinner each time it grows through. If you’ve got a patient with a larger area of miniaturised follicles, it may be unsafe to transplant that area because the trauma of the surgery may damage those hairs.”
The CALECIM® Professional Advanced Hair System used in this treatment contains an extremely high yield of stem cell extract, of about 80% concentration, with 1ml of the active ingredient containing at least 3,000 growth factors and proteins.
CALECIM® is natural, effective, safe and clinically proven to use the potential of stem cells to transform hair loss concerns, with no reported side effects.
“ I am a fan of CALECIM® as it is a highly effective treatment for my patients that
also has impressive peer-reviewed papers and clinical trials”, says Dr Somji. “The CALECIM® technology works better due to the stem cells used within the technology, as they are product stabilised in a laboratory, meaning they have the greatest efficacy for the longest period of time. The product contains growth factors, which can trigger the patient’s own stem cells within the hair follicle. The cellular messaging is taken from (red deer) umbilical stem cell extract, the lead ingredient in CALECIM®, which sends signals to their own stem cells to decrease anti-inflammatory cues and accelerate follicle cell growth. This allows me to truly offer transformative results for my clients, which can promote new hair growth and minimise scalp inflammation.”
The patient must arrive with clean hair which has had no other product applied. During the in-clinic treatment, Dr Somji will perform a thorough scalp analysis to begin to assess the quality of the hair and hair follicles, allowing him to understand how to improve the quality of the patient’s hair and future-proof it.
Dr Somji believes that there are a variety of reasons hair might feel dry, thin or unhappy, and most can be improved by looking into genetics, medication, stress, illness and lifestyle shock. After Dr Munir has been able to examine the condition of the hair and scalp, he will decide whether to do a hair DNA test to truly understand the quality of the hair and the genetic weaknesses which can be supported to create more resilient, healthy hair.
“Looking at DNA is really important now”, says Dr Somji. “It can tell us about the efficacy of minoxidil administration and whether that patient may need a higher strength. It can also tell us about their body’s response to certain growth factors. It will tell you how responsive they are to vasodilators. And will give us an indication of how severe the hair loss is so we can accurately predict how much people need to really maintain that.”
Once the analysis is complete, a professional-grade micro-needling device will be used to infuse the CALECIM® Professional Advanced Hair System serum into the area. This is then massaged in. At the end of the treatment, Dr Somji will send the patient for their hair DNA bloods, and will give them a prescription to use with their CALECIM® at-home.
“The aim with androgenetic alopecia patients is constructing a plan that has high compliance. And to get high compliance, we need a plan that is economical for the patient but can also be easily performed so that they actually stick to it”, he says.
For best results, the procedure should be repeated two times a week for six weeks. Following treatment, hair follicles will be strengthened to support new hair growth and the scalp will be less inflamed.
We chat with Elena Cudworth about her journey with Soprano laser and why she’s excited to be bringing the new Titanium into her clinic
Elena Cudworth is passionate about standards of safety, especially when it comes to lasers. She has been working with lasers since gaining her Level 4 NVQ in 2010, first as a therapist and now as the owner of the Elenique Skin Clinic in Fulham and as a KOL for Alma.
High-quality client care is at the heart of Elenique’s philosophy, combined with a personalised approach that identifies and meets each client’s unique needs.
The clinic provides a wide variety of face and body treatments, with hair removal still being a popular choice for both men and women. “We have more male clients coming now, especially for the arms, back, and chest”, Elena says. “We have athletes and many cyclists as well.”
When it came to deciding what device she wanted to use for hair removal when the clinic opened its doors in 2015, it was no contest: Soprano. “When I first started, my first job was using the
Soprano laser”, Elena says. “I became a big lover of all Alma devices, particularly the Harmony and Soprano.
“I think every business owner should care about where the machines they buy come from. If you’re thinking about investing in laser devices, you should consider safety, quality and, of course, the results. But safety and quality are first, in my opinion.”
Soprano has long been acknowledged as one of the gold-standard lasers for permanent hair reduction, and Elena’s business has evolved with the brand, progressing through its various upgrades from the Soprano ICE to the Soprano ICE Platinum and now the Titanium, the pinnacle technology in the Soprano family.
“We stand for safety and high-quality client care so, of course, we want to work with well-known devices that are FDA-approved. We have worked with Soprano ICE Platinum (right) for nearly five years, and now we are excited to be working with Titanium to deliver the best for our clientele.”
Among the new features are a small handpiece to treat facial hair. “We can treat eyebrows, we can treat around the nostrils and we can treat the upper lip, which is great because there are not many applicators that you can use safely on the upper lip area”, says Elena. “I love this small, curved handpiece. It’s like a little finger. That’s a feature that no other laser device has.”
Soprano was the first laser on the market to claim it could offer “pain-free” hair removal, and as the device’s technology has evolved, so has its comfort. The new Titanium has ICE Plus™, an advanced cooling system that combines TEC and Inverter cooling technologies to offer an unparalleled treatment experience for the patient.
“People can feel some heat sensation”, explains Elena. “But patients feel very relaxed. The cooling tip, combined with how we deliver the laser, makes it even more comfortable. Clients are grateful for that, especially when we’re talking about intimate areas. Nothing makes me happy like a happy client. That’s what we want. Great results and happy clients.”
Titanium features TRIO 4cm², a 3D applicator, combining the three most effective laser wavelengths for hair removal (Alexandrite 755nm, Speed 810nm and YAG 1064nm) with Quattro™, an extralarge spot size covering an enormous grid of 600-900 cm2
This means it can treat larger areas faster than ever before (40% faster than other laser treatments, they claim). It also includes two connectors, enabling two different applicators to be connected to the platform simultaneously and further shortening treatment time.
Another advantage of the Soprano Titanium is being able to treat all skin types, including tanned skin, as well as more diverse hair types. Its unique SHR™ technology means it gradually heats and delivers rapid pulses that damage the hair follicle and hinders regrowth without damaging the surrounding skin.
“With the combination of wavelength that Soprano has in one handpiece, you can target different types of hair density either superficially or deeply. We can’t treat light hair, and I would say red hair is still very, very slow-responding because we need that melanin pigment in the hair for the laser to target.
“I haven’t seen any device like this, to be honest. I have worked with a few different devices, but Soprano has become my favourite, and I would never get any other device.”
Hair removal is an important part of the gender reassignment journey. While hormone replacement therapy can impact hair growth, some people still need or want treatment to reduce or permanently remove their body hair. Whether it is facial hair or body hair, for many transgender patients, unwanted hair can reduce their quality of life and removing it plays a vital part in how they see themselves, both before and after any surgery.
In a bid to better support this patient group, the NHS offers funded epilation services to individuals prior to gender reassignment surgery and as referred by a Gender Dysphoria Clinic. Élan Laser Clinics Group recently announced that it will provide these funded treatments before phalloplasty and vaginoplasty surgery, as well as facial hair removal before treatment.
Élan Laser Clinics Group was set up to provide patients with affordable luxury without compromising on customer experience, efficacy and safety. Director of Aesthetic Services Lisa Mason-Poyner says, “The Élan Laser Clinics Group team is extremely proud to have been awarded an NHS contract to provide epilation services to individuals prior to gender reassignment surgery and as referred by a Gender Dysphoria Clinic.
“As a group, we are committed to being a leading light for clinic safety and service standards in the industry as well as providing a safe and inclusive environment for our patients to be unapologetically themselves and for them to feel comfortable, safe and supported on their individual journeys. We encourage our industry colleagues to embrace the transgender community and look at ways in which they can be actively and positively supported in clinic.”
As part of the funding, Élan Laser Clinics is able to offer epilation services across its group portfolio, including Portman Square (London), Leeds, Liverpool, Beaconsfield and Hale Barns, and are based on the Service Specification and arrangements set by the Programme Board for Gender Dysphoria Services. As Lisa explains, “Once they get referred from either their surgical provider or the Gender Dysphoria Clinic, they get sent a link, and they can choose who they want to go to. We just appear on a list of various people they could use. The feedback is that they really like coming to us because we’ve trained the staff on trans awareness, making sure they don’t misgender people, and being sensitive to their journey. They feel very comfortable coming to us.”
As part of the funding, patients who are transitioning from male to female and female to male, many of whom are also going ahead with gender reassignment surgery, are entitled to facial hair removal.
“They either get eight laser hair removal sessions or the equivalent in electrolysis”, explains Lisa. “You have to offer both as part of the NHS contract. They can have a mixture of laser and electrolysis depending on the colour of their hair. They’re funded for the consultation and test patch as well. If they need additional treatments, they do have to fund that themselves, but we always make sure that we let them know that at the consultation. This is a journey, especially with facial hair. Usually, it is an ongoing journey. But even if you get a reduction in the thickness that doesn’t cause irritation or ingrowing hairs, it can be life-changing.”
In addition, there is also funding for the donor site. “If they’re going ahead with the vaginoplasty or phalloplasty surgery, then the NHS will fund infinite treatments for the donor site until the hair’s gone”, explains Lisa. “If they are transitioning to a male gender, then they have to create a penis and scrotum from a donor site of skin. For vaginoplasty surgery, they create a tube for the vagina. In both cases, they also use a donor site to create the urethra for the patient to be able to pass urine. That skin is internal after the operation, and if there is any hair on it, as you can imagine, it is prone to UTIs and infections. So the NHS funds it until the hair is to a point where the surgeon agrees that there’s a 70% reduction, so they can proceed with surgery.”
The clinic group uses the Candela GentleMax Pro in all its clinics. The device includes both a 755nm Alexandrite laser and a 1064nm ND YAG laser for effective hair removal and skin treatments. With a spot size range of 20/22/24mm, this laser is fast and efficient, while Zimmer Cryo 6 cooling compatibility provides maximum comfort and safety.
They also do electrolysis but will try and remove as much hair as possible with laser first. “The therapists only do electrolysis in short blocks because, obviously, it’s very detailed work. It’s not something that you can do for hours and hours. We prefer to try and do it with laser first, try and get as many dark hairs as possible and then move to the electrolysis. We have worked out our protocols so we can get really good results, but some people just aren’t suitable, and then they’ll just have to have electrolysis. But we just have to manage their expectations. If it’s very fine, vellus-type hair, you’re not going to be 100% hair-free. But then nobody is.”
The group is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all patients. All practitioners and skincare professionals are highly skilled, with several years of in-clinic experience, and the group’s internal Medical Standards Committee work to a clear Term of Reference to ensure that exceptional standards of care are met at all times.
As well as being due to commence autism awareness training in its clinics, Élan therapists are all MASCED (Melanoma And Skin Cancer Early Detection) trained - to equip them with nondiagnostic skin surveillance skills to help in the fight against skin cancer).
When it comes to gender reassignment, all practitioners within the group have received Gender Dysphoria training, which Lisa developed herself, to ensure that all individuals are treated with the utmost respect and that correct terminology and pronouns are used at all times to ensure patients have the very best experience possible as they navigate their own personal journey.
“Ever since we set up the clinic group, we wanted to be very inclusive”, says Lisa. “We wanted the staff to have training on being inclusive with all different types of genders and to just elevate them in the industry. Not just technically with the treatments they do, but with their knowledge, which is why we do autism awareness training with them, transgender training with them, and skin cancer awareness training, just to elevate them.
“I tell the therapists when we are training that, by the time these patients come to you, this is nearing the end of their journey for many of them, because they’re just about to go ahead with their surgery, but they might have been living like this for years and it psychologically really affects them.”
1
Neauvia PEG HA Fillers are based on a unique cross-linker technologySXT - combining HA and PEG polymers. It gives Neauvia portfolio outstanding mechanical, rheological, and thermodynamic properties with a high safety profile and high tolerability. Thanks to these unique properties, they can be perfectly associated with Neauvia Energy Based Devices and Neauvia aesthetic cosmeceuticals, resulting in improved clinical results through synergistic effects and enhanced aesthetic results.1,2
Neauvia provides a range of energy-based devices for the aesthetic, gynecological and surgical markets. Neauvia devices are characterized by advanced electromedical engineering. They are based on specifically designed and integrated technology, allowing optimal results in combination with Neauvia’s PEG HA fillers and cosmeceuticals and ensuring maximum patient safety.1,2
Based on advanced knowledge and research on active ingredients, Neauvia Aesthetic Cosmeceuticals offer professional and exclusive skincare range.
High quality and scientifically based, they are suitable for skin preparation, post-treatment and home care, designed to work in synergy with aesthetic treatments.
In this section: CPD article: Barbie Botox, ADHD, dissolving lip filler, dermal fillers in patients with autoimmune conditions and abstracts
As an aesthetics practitioner, you have honed and crafted your skills to ensure safety, efficacy, and patient satisfaction. A large proportion of this skill lies in your consultation, planning and expectation management, and this is long before a patient gets any physical treatment.
Consultation skills often focus on assessment through an in-depth knowledge of skin ageing, anatomy, and product selection. Matching expectations to outcomes and satisfying the legality around consent is also considered when constructing an effective consultation.
The consultation is often considered an art form, with communication being key when balancing the commercial background to offering medical treatments for cosmetic and elective purposes.
However, one consultation protocol doesn’t fit all. Often, we are required to adjust our communication skills, how we present the information, and the structure to accommodate diverse patient types.
One of the joys of aesthetic practice is the diversity of patients it attracts, bringing with them a range of motives and challenges. This, in turn, creates challenges for the practitioner, but it also creates the potential for additional risk.
In this article, we are going to consider the condition of ADHD. We will look at how to recognise the signs and possible risk factors these patients present and how to plan and deliver effective aesthetic procedures through consultation techniques that adapt and consider this specific patient group.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,
ADHD, is often attributed to younger children exhibiting disruptive behaviour. Thankfully, we’ve come a long way in understanding this neurodevelopmental disorder. However, a better understanding has brought misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis.
Once considered a neurodevelopmental mental health disorder, most experts agree that ADHD is not a mental health disorder but a neurobehavioral condition. This has helped go some way to destigmatise the condition.
ADHD affects both sexes but is more common in boys. Diagnosis in later life can be a huge relief and help the adult understand why they reacted or behaved in certain ways. It may also help them and those close to them reconcile relationships that may have been affected by the condition.
There is no ‘cure’ for ADHD. However, symptoms can become less impactful at different points in someone’s lifetime, and this can be supported with cognitive therapy, medication, and a better understanding of the condition.
It’s extremely rare for the condition to start in later life, and an adult diagnosis means that it was almost certainly present in childhood. It’s possible that certain stressors made the symptoms more obvious in later years, which could have been masked or compensated for in childhood.
With an estimated 3.5 % of adults in the UK having ADHD, as aesthetic practitioners, we will likely come across patients with the condition, whether that be diagnosed or not. As a business owner, you may employ somebody with the condition. Either way, it’s essential to understand how it impacts behaviour and how to accommodate
and adjust to ensure we avoid missed expectations and complaints.
The NHS defines ADHD into two types of behaviours.
• Inattentiveness (difficulty concentrating and focusing)
• Hyperactivity and impulsiveness
Symptoms of ADHD in children are clearly defined but are less clear in adults, and inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness can affect adults very differently from how they affect children. In adults, hyperactivity tends to decrease, with inattentiveness being predominant.
The main signs of inattentiveness are:
• Having a short attention span and lack of focus
• Being easily distracted, particularly with boring tasks. Have a desire for high stimulation
Being unable to stick to tedious or time-consuming tasks
Poor organisational skills. Difficulty organising tasks and problems completing a given task
• Constantly changing activity or task. Starting a new task before finishing old ones
• Making careless mistakes and lack of attention to detail
• Appearing forgetful and losing or misplacing things
• Appear to be unable to listen, carry out, or follow instructions
• Difficulty managing time and money
• Losing track of things and being forgetful in day-to-day activities.
The main signs of hyperactivity and impulsiveness are:
• Being unable to sit still, especially in quiet surroundings
• Constantly fidgeting, restless or edgy, and having difficulty turning their thoughts off
• Excessive physical movement, impulsive urges to move Excessive talking, interrupting conversations and blurting out responses
• Being unable to wait their turn, extreme impatience
• Acting without thinking
• Finding it hard to listen to others and answer before questions are asked fully
• Mood swings, irritable, impatient, or frustrated and lose their temper quickly
• Find stress hard to handle
• Risk takers. Little or no sense of danger, personal safety, or the safety of others
Impulsive, doing things on the spur of the moment, without thinking.
Adults with ADHD may also have problems with sleep, anxiety disorders and cognitive restlessness. Some may have issues with relationships or social interaction. There may be a tendency for addictive personalities with impulsive decisionmaking. Other symptoms that may present include low self-esteem, chronic procrastination, and a lack of fulfilling one’s true potential.
Adults with ADHD are also at a high risk of suffering from other conditions, including:
• Depression.
• Personality disorders.
• Bipolar disorder.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
We’ve considered some of the challenges that ADHD presents. However, there are many positive attributes that people with ADHD have. For example, they tend to be great problem-solvers, often solving problems that others have struggled with. They are affable, likeable people with good conversational skills and a good sense of humour. They can be hyper-focused when doing something they enjoy, in which case they can multi-task at a rate others find difficult to keep up with. They are often resilient, creative, spontaneous and have abundant energy.
Patients diagnosed with ADHD may be happy to share this with you, in which case you can manage it accordingly. For those patients who do not wish to share this information or are undiagnosed, you may pick up on some signs and symptoms. While the role of an aesthetic practitioner is not to ‘diagnose’ these types of conditions (that’s the job of a professional), it is important that you adapt your consultation and communication techniques and provide an environment conducive to an effective and professional patient care pathway.
You may be alerted to a patient with ADHD from their medical questionnaire. You should familiarise yourself with the medications used for managing ADHD and understand their mechanism of action.
Considering some of the personality traits described, we can see some of the pitfalls that can arise when offering aesthetic treatments to this patient group. Being aware of the potential problems and anticipating them by making adaptations and adjustments to your standard protocols will protect you and your patient. Individuals with ADHD are constantly being disrupted by the ‘noise’ in their brains in a way that people without ADHD cannot imagine. This disruption can make the patient appear ‘odd’ or prickly, demanding, or high maintenance. As aesthetic practitioners, we must acknowledge this as ‘their normal’ and embrace the difference.
Strategies to support patients with ADHD coming for aesthetic treatments.
Some ways you can support a patient with ADHD or ADHD tendencies include.
Reminders of appointments are essential for this patient group. A text reminder a week before their appointment and then again the day before will be helpful. Last-minute cancellations or forgetting appointments can result from poor organisational skills, so more frequent text reminders can avoid these problems.
The concept of time is often a challenge for patients with ADHD, which must be considered when scheduling appointments and treatment planning. They are often running late, for which there are usually many reasons, none of which are their making, so they see no reason why they
cannot still be seen at the time they arrive. Managing these situations takes a great deal of skill and diplomacy. Training your staff in these scenarios will help the smooth running of your diary and ensure you keep all your patients happy.
Conversely, because their brains are running much faster and they usually are juggling many balls in the air at one time, they do not like being kept waiting. They can quickly become irritated and agitated if their appointment does not run to schedule. As with all patients, any delay in their scheduled appointment time must be managed sensitively.
Lack of attention and becoming bored quickly can cause problems with the consultation and assessment process. Practitioners can easily be pushed ‘off track’ by a patient with ADHD. The aesthetic consultation should be practitioner-led, structured, and follow specific protocols to ensure safety,
ultimately avoiding missed expectations that could result in patient dissatisfaction. The practitioner must steer the consultation back on course if it diverts and may ask the patient to return for a second consultation to ensure they fully understand the information.
Consultations can cover many topics, and the patient must fully engage with the verbal, visual and written information given to them. The information presented to patients will support their informed decisions and consent. Ensure this information is presented to suit their learning styles.
The risks of any aesthetic procedure are discussed in the consultation as well as documented in the patient information and consent. We must remember that adults with ADHD view risk differently. They are generally not risk averse and will not weigh up risk against the outcome.
Realistic and expected outcomes are
discussed during the consultation, which may include a less-than-satisfactory result.
The indications for treatments are explored based on the practitioner’s experience and limitations. There is always a danger that these expectations do not align with the marketing information that patients have seen or heard. It is important that a practitioner is satisfied that the patient’s expectations are realistic and that they understand the risks and limitations of the procedure.
Gaining feedback is important to assess understanding, and using open questioning techniques is key with a patient with ADHD. Asking closed questions such as “Do you understand how the treatment works?” will not accurately ascertain patient understanding. An open question might be, “Tell me what you think this treatment will achieve for you?” That way, you can better understand what the patient has understood.
Shutterstock/pathdoc
For impulsive patients who might have switched off during the consultation, they may have missed some important and relevant information, which then leads to a problem.
Their impulsiveness makes their decisionmaking process less subjective and more emotionally based. This could ultimately result in missed expectations, which they attribute to the practitioner.
The practitioner must ensure the patient has considered all the information before agreeing to treatment. If they are in any doubt, then this is a valid reason not to offer treatment.
Compliance with aftercare can sometimes be an issue for those patients who do not follow instructions well. When giving instructions on aftercare, provide a clear, simple, step-by-step guide and demonstrate how to perform any specific techniques and get them to practice these
in the clinic with your guidance. Compliance can also affect patient follow-up schedules as they may not be considered ‘important’. Review-only appointments could be regarded as ‘a waste of time’. Patients who don’t come for these scheduled followups may have a sub-optimal outcome that could have been rectified. This could impact unfavourably on the clinic and the practitioner. One way to avoid this is to call the patient by telephone or set up a virtual review. Document the outcomes and recall the patient for a face-to-face appointment if they are unsatisfied.
Tips for performing an effective consultation and treatment for a patient with ADHD
• Perform the consultation in a distraction-free, peaceful, and calming area. Their internal dialogue is on ‘high volume’, so they have a low threshold for outside sensory stimulation. Even smells, which others barely notice, cause people with ADHD to become uncomfortable.
• It’s easy for a practitioner to get confused and pushed off course. Patients can constantly interrupt and take you off on a tangent. They move quickly from one subject to another and can bombard you with questions without listening to the answers. If this happens, gently bring it back to the structured format, ensuring all areas are covered.
• Insist on two or three shorter consultations if you feel the information is not being considered thoroughly.
• Do not feel rushed or obliged to perform a treatment at the patient’s insistence. If you are concerned they have not fully taken on all the relevant information, do not provide the treatment. Keep treatment plans short-term with bullet points rather than long-winded explanations.
• Adults with ADHD tend to be rightbrained learners. They prefer to learn visually, so, where possible, make sure your information is biased to this learning style. They won’t want to read lengthy consents or pages of patient information. They will just want to sign so they can get on with the treatment. This important aspect of the consultation needs to be managed, and the information provided to make an informed consent may need to be adapted. Ultimately, if the practitioner doesn’t feel that consent has been gained thorough understanding, then treatment cannot proceed.
• When explaining the risks and responsibilities of the treatment, the patient may switch off and not listen, often looking at their phones or fidgeting and not making eye contact. Always provide a cooling-off period so that you give them an opportunity to consider the risk. It is not advisable to ‘see and treat’.
• You could suggest they bring a friend or family member with them for their consultation or treatments. That way, they can be supported and have another ‘pair of ears’.
• By far, the best way to help someone with ADHD is to understand how their condition affects them and be patient and supportive.
Supporting a colleague with ADHD
Understanding how the ADHD brain works will help you support colleagues with the condition (or with ADHD tendencies), and it will help them, too. Creating an environment where they thrive, utilising their strengths and where their difficulties are accepted can make all the difference. Harnessing the ‘superpowers’ of ADHD can be an asset to the business.
We all have things we enjoy doing, along with things we struggle with. Understanding the strengths of all your employees allows you to distribute the workload effectively and efficiently.
For staff members who struggle to organise themselves, create checklists and set time limits. Create a supportive work environment that accepts differences and diversity, and most of all, be kind.
If you and your staff want further training on Assessing Patients for Aesthetic Treatments or want to qualify in First Aid for Mental Health, please contact info@charlieoscar.co.uk
Cast your mind back to the first ever dermal filler treatment you performed on a patient. It is highly likely that we’re all imagining the same procedure- lip filler treatment. Why would it not be? After all, it seems to be the entry-level procedure of choice in facial aesthetics courses internationally and one of the most common treatments requested by patients in the UK.
Many practitioners find their facial aesthetics comfort zone lies in lip filler and upper face botulinum toxin treatments, and this may well be the bulk of the procedures you carry out on a daily basis. Doing something frequently, however, does not equate to doing something well.
In the UK, lip filler treatments have the highest rates of complaints and complications of all aesthetic treatments. What does this mean? Are we underestimating the complexity of this commonly carried out procedure? Is this just due to non-medical injectors who use questionable products with questionable techniques? This may be the wake-up call to consider lip filler treatments with a new appreciation as one of the more complex non-surgical facial treatments available.
The presentation of the lips is possibly the most variable of all facial features among individuals. It is the most dynamic part of the face, attached to the most muscles and can have a vastly different appearance between static and dynamic modes. As a result, our lip filler treatments have to be fluid and adaptable, providing volume, symmetry, structure and definition whilst also being seamless under extremes of distortion from facial expression- that’s a tall order! It follows that practitioners need to have a keen analytical eye and be able to screen patients for potential limiting factors and anatomical features that may impact final results.
The potentially dismissed complexity of this procedure, teemed with its popularity, may be the reason it takes the top spot when it comes to commonly occurring migration and unnatural results. Many aesthetic medicine practitioners are understandably reluctant to rectify these case types for many reasons; a) these cases could be treated with unknown fillers of unknown safety or composition profile, b) you may be worried about treating another practitioner’s work, c) practitioners may not know how to dissolve appropriately and d) practitioners might be uncertain that they can adequately refill these lips whilst managing expectations. This case study will cover assessment, planning and retreatment and offers a helpful algorithm for managing such cases.1,2,3,4
This patient presented having had lip filler successfully in the past. However, her most recent lip treatment two years ago resulted in an undesirable aesthetic result. This patient had exclusively been seeing facial surgeons and dermatologists but was concerned that since her last treatment, her lips had a number of visible and palpable lumps. She also felt the shape was unnatural, and her upper lip appeared to be bulging at the wet-dry border. This was becoming more prominent with time. She felt her lips had always been ‘wonky’, but this had worsened, and now they also lacked definition. She hoped to achieve full-looking lips with more definition of the cupid’s bow, more symmetry and a more natural shape without lumps. Medically she was fit and well with no conditions or social history of note.
On visual assessment, the frontal view showed bulging contours at the wet-dry border. This created an over-exaggerated ‘key-hole’ aperture between the upper and lower lips in the midline when at rest. There was also unnatural fullness coincident with her upper 2nd incisors and canines. When smiling, this created a distorted smile line covering too much of the front surfaces of all her upper teeth, despite having had dental veneers placed on her upper front 10 teeth with optimal ratios for her face. The bulging areas had a non-homogenous and firm texture on palpation, and lumps were present near the wet-dry border. When smiling, her lower lip covered her upper left teeth due to a large, firm lump. This created asymmetry on smiling despite her oral commissure positions being roughly equal bilaterally. Sagittally her lips were over projected on Ricket’s E Line.5
certain lip anatomy features, such as pocketed lips in this case, can increase the risk of migration and lumps.
I recommended dissolving the filler and allowing the lips to recover from the current distortion for at least six weeks before attempting to refill them carefully. I advised that filling the lips sooner may increase the risk of getting an unsatisfactory aesthetic result again, as filler may tend to migrate to the wet dry border area where there is currently significant distortion. I also advised a slow and steady approach, with gradual volume addition to lower the risk of filler migration.
The patient was anxious about dissolving the filler as she was concerned about having small lips while waiting to recover. I reassured her that her lips would not appear significantly smaller than they were prior to her first lip filler treatment and that in order to achieve natural results, we could not continue to add filler to the existing lip filler (see Figure 2 for treatment algorithm). I consented the patient for the risks of dissolving the filler with hyaluronidase.6
I informed the patient there was a possibility that the filler present was not dissolvable, in which case a referral would be required for surgical excision. We also discussed the risks of lip filler treatment, including serious vascular occlusion leading to skin necrosis, lumps, migration, infection and lumps.7 The patient understood and agreed to proceed.
Figure 1: Pre-treatment lips showing migration into the upper cutaneous lip (in white) and the upper wet-dry border. Visible lumps (in green) and distorted smile lines (in black) contribute to an unnatural appearance).
I agreed with the patient that the outcome of the most recent lip filler was not satisfactory and explained in detail the clinical findings. I advised that poor aesthetic outcomes are possible even in the hands of a medical professional, and there is always a risk of lumps occurring following a lip filler treatment. I advised that
The patient admittedly has a low pain threshold, therefore, was numbed with 2ml of plain 2% lidocaine labial infiltrations intraorally across the upper and lower lip. The lips were disinfected with a hypochlorous acid solution. 1500IU of hyaluronidase was diluted in 5ml of 0.9% bacteriostatic saline8. A total of 2ml (600IU) was injected across the upper and lower lips using a 30G 8mm needle.
A serial puncture and fanning technique was used with a focus on the palpable lumps and bulging areas. The lips were vigorously massaged until the lumps were softened. Post-op instructions were provided, and a review and retreatment visit was arranged for six weeks later.
Figure 3: Presentation six weeks after dissolving with hyaluronidase. New smile lines are annotated in black.
labial infiltrations intraorally across the upper and lower lip and cleansed with a hypochlorous acid solution. 0.5ml Teosyal RHA2 was administered using a 30G needle. This product was selected due to its low G prime and high flexibility. Care was taken to keep all injections within the body of the lips whilst avoiding injection near the wet-dry border. No vertical threads or tenting technique was used as this carried a larger risk of allowing migration into the more lax and previously bulging wet dry border. Horizontal linear threads and fans were administered in a superficial plane. The lips were massaged throughout to ensure no residual lumps. Post-op instructions were provided.
The patient was very pleased with the outcome and has not required further filler administration since treatment three months ago. Figure 4 shows the settled three-month post-retreatment results. No migration had occurred, and the natural contours achieved at the treatment appointment have been maintained. This case highlights the importance of respecting the unique natural anatomy of each patient’s lips and not continuing to build on an already compromised result. It is key that medical practitioners assess facial anatomy and risk assess for potential complications prior to treatment. By reference to the simple algorithm (Fig 2), it is straightforward to decide which cases may require dissolving and which alternative options may be employed in order to achieve the best possible aesthetic outcomes for our patients.
Six weeks post-dissolving, we reassessed her lips. They no longer had unnatural contours, bulging or palpable lumps. Her smile line was restored to a natural aesthetic arc, revealing an optimal amount of the upper teeth. There was still some asymmetry in her lower lip; however no palpable lumps, and no longer did the lower lip cover her upper teeth when smiling. The lips had a pocketed appearance, and there was some skin laxity in the upper lip in the region of the wet-dry border.
I recommended retreating with a humble volume of soft hyaluronic acid filler. The patient was numbed with 2ml of plain 2% lidocaine
• 1. Land S, ‘The Last Word: Complication Management’, Aesthetics journal, 2021, <https://aestheticsjournal.com/feature/ the-last-wordcomplication-management>
• 2. Ranjbar H, ‘Addressing Filler Complications’, Aesthetics journal, 2021, <https://aestheticsjournal.com/feature/addressing-fill-ercomplications>
• 3. Bennett S, ‘The Last Word: Other Practitioner’s Complications’, Aesthetics journal, 2017, <https://aestheticsjournal.com/feature/ the-lastword-other-practitioner-s-complications>
• 4. King M, Convery C, Davies E, ‘This month’s guideline: The Use of Hyaluronidase in Aesthetic Practice (V2.4)’, J Clin Aesthet Dermatol, (2018).
• 5. Ricketts R, ‘A foundation of cephalometric communication’, American Journal of Orthodontics, (1960), p.330-357.
• 6. Jung H, ‘Hyaluronidase: An overview of its properties, applications, and side effects’, Arch Plast Surg, (2020).
• 7. Snozzi P, van Loghem JAJ, ‘Complication Management following Rejuvenation Procedures with Hyaluronic Acid Fillers-an Algorithmbased Approach’, Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open, (2018).
• 8. Murray G, Convery C, et al., ‘Guideline for the Safe Use of Hyaluronidase in Aesthetic Medicine, Including Modified High Dose Protocol’, Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2021, <https://jcadonline.com/guideline-hyaluronidase-aes-thetic/>
TAKING RADIOFREQUENCY TREATMENTS TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
Utilising patented unipolar radiofrequency and first-of-its-kind fractional Plasma® technology to provide your clients with refined contours and a youthful glow for the face neck and décolletage Opus™ is revolutionising skin tightening and resurfacing treatment for wrinkles, fine lines, laxity and uneven skin texture and tone
Neauvia has announced the results of a comprehensive evaluation of the safety of its Neauvia Stimulate injectable product in patients with the autoimmune thyroid disease Hashimoto’s.
The study1-2, conducted by a team of researchers and published at the end of May 2023, aimed to assess the impact of the PEGylated HA filler on both the local tissues and systemic consequences, which are crucial from a long-term safety perspective in patients suffering from Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the thyroid gland.
The study analysed the histopathological examinations and conducted a retrospective analysis of medical records
of 15 Hashimoto’s thyroiditis patients who received 2.0 ml of Neauvia Stimulate, a hyaluronic acid cross-linked with polyethylene glycol containing micronised portions of calcium hydroxyapatite (26 mg/ ml, L-proline, glycine, 1% CaHA).
The patients were evaluated before the treatment and at five, 21 and 150 days post-treatment to assess inflammatory infiltration.
Key findings from the study include a significant decrease in the overall local inflammatory infiltrate at day 21 compared to baseline. The presence of T-lymphocytes (CD4 & CD8 antigens) and B-lymphocytes (CD20) also decreased. Notably, no correlation was found between the treatment and the levels of anti-TPO
(anti-thyroid peroxidase) and anti-TG (antithyroglobulin) antibodies.
Based on the clinical outcomes of this study and consistent with previously published data, no complications, such as granulomas or foreign body reactions, were observed.
These results confirm the high safety profile and biocompatibility of PEGylated HA fillers, along with their long-lasting results. Importantly, there are no substantive or registered contraindications to the use of PEGylated hyaluronic acid fillers in patients with Hashimoto’s disease.
The study further highlights the immunomodulatory effect of PEG, which positively contributes to the safety profile of the filler. Additionally, the stimulatory effect
achieved by the calcium hydroxyapatite particles adds to the overall positive outcomes.
The results of this evaluation further reinforce Neauvia’s dedication to delivering high-quality products backed by extensive clinical evidence.
Dr Lisa Dinley says, “I love using stimulate as it not only volumises the tissues it also stimulates the fibroblasts with the addition of 1% Calcium hydroxyapatite, which improves the skin quality, particularly useful in older and damaged skin.
Additionally, Neauvia fillers are unique due to the PEG smart cross-linking technology which confers a stealth like property to the filler, meaning that patients do not get an immune or inflammatory reaction, which is especially important in patients with autoimmune diseases. So, this group of patients can be treated safely with the Neauvia range.”
1. Kubik, P.; Gallo, D.; Tanda, M.L.; Jankau, J.; Rauso, R.; Gruszczynski, W.; Pawłowska, A.; Chrapczynski, P.; Malinowski, M.; Grzanka, D.; Smolinska, M.; Antosik, P.; Piesiaków, M.L.; Łukasik, B.; Pawłowska-Kubik, A.; Stabile, G.; Guida, S.; Kodłubanski, Ł.; Decates, T.; Zerbinati. N. Evaluation of the Safety of Neauvia Stimulate Injectable Product in Patients with Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases Based on Histopathological Examinations and Retrospective Analysis of Medical Records. Gels 2023, 9, 440. https://doi. org/10.3390/gels9060440
2. Open access available at https://www. mdpi.com/2310-2861/9/6/440
There’s a new trend gaining popularity on TikTok and it’s called “Barbie Botox”, but is this just marketing hype or something to worry about? We spoke to GP and aesthetic doctor, Dr Ahmed El Muntasar to find out more…
Barbie was undoubtedly one of the biggest hits of the summer. Social media feeds were full of people dressed in their best Barbie get-up posing inside oversized doll boxes at cinemas across the country and taking part in a viral trend on Instagram, which allowed them to create custom “This Barbie” taglines using a selfie generator.
So it’s no surprise that all the hype around the movie has led to a new TikTok trend for aesthetic treatments – the so-called “Barbie Botox” – to elongate their neck and shrink their shoulders in order to mimic the looks of Barbie.
The procedure, which involves injecting the trapezius muscle (base of the neck), is nothing new. Previously coined “Trap Tox”, a term that also trended on social media, it can also be used to reduce tension in the neck area, reduce migraines and help improve posture.
The trend has gained so much traction that even Forbes has reported on it, writing: “9.4 million. That’s how many views the hashtag #barbiebotox has on TikTok. The hashtag #traptox has 22.5 million views on the platform, and they’re both filled with creators and cosmetic clinics alike sharing the results of the procedure.”
GP and Aesthetic Doctor, Dr Ahmed El Muntasar is someone who has often spoken out about the pros and cons of social media when it comes to aesthetics. With over 1million followers on his @theaestheticsdoctor Instagram account, Dr El Muntasar is blue tick approved and knows the power of social media. He has received a rise in requests for Barbie Botox at his clinic, with patients wanting to look how Margot Robbie looks and achieve that scoop in the base of their neck and shoulders. He has also been keeping a close eye on the trend on TikTok.
He says, “I strongly believe that no-one needs to look a certain way and that some of the treatments I do, they are not a necessity and are essentially for vanity. So with this in mind, I think it’s very important that patients realise they don’t need these treatments or feel they have to and it’s a choice. There will always be celebrity trends out there, so it’s important that during a consultation with me we discuss in depth what they want and the reason why to make sure that patients are getting the right treatment for them, for the right reason and confidence that they understand what they are having done.”
What cocnerns Dr El Muntasar most about viral trends is that it may lead people to have treatments with non-medics. “It’s super worrying that people are going to unlicensed medical practitioners or unlicensed injectors that do these treatments without understanding the anatomy, the consequences or the complications that can occur with patients. It’s very, very scary”, he says. “Things can also go wrong because a nail technician that does Botox doesn’t have a regulatory body such as the GMC or the GDC so you can’t go to them if something goes wrong.”
This is exasperated with complex treatments like injecting the trapezius muscle. “I would definitely urge caution”, says Dr El Muntasar. “It’s a very unusual shaped muscle because it starts at the base of the skull and it slopes down all the way to the shoulders. If you inject incorrectly, it’s easy for things to go asymmetrical, and it’s easy to weaken someone’s ‘shrug’. We actually use our ‘shrug’ a lot when picking up items from above your head, so it’s vital we don’t do anything to damage this.”
The Barbie Botox treatment involves botulinum toxin to slim down the trapezius muscle, a large flat muscle that originates from the base of the neck and stretches across the shoulders, reaching the central area of the back. It plays a pivotal role in facilitating motion for the neck, shoulders, arms, torso, and head. Its name is derived from its resemblance to a trapezoid shape.
By injecting toxin, you weaken the muscle so it gets smaller and therefore causes the base of the neck and the shoulders to look a little more petite and symmetrical.
“It’s essentially injecting botulinum toxin in three to four locations in each of the trapezius muscles to essentially cause hypotrophy, which is a reduction in the size of the muscle. It reduces in size and thus, it gives the kind of sought-after look”, says Dr El Muntasar. “It can help for migraines as well because some people’s migraines happen because of the pull of the muscle. The base of the skull can create a lot of tension.”
Usually, about 15 to 20 units of toxin are used on each side (depending on the brand of toxin of course). Results can be gained from one treatment and last anywhere from two to nine months.
Journal of Aesthetic Nursing. Volume 12. Issue 6. July 2023
Many dermal fillers are classified as biostimulatory, meaning they stimulate the dermis to create new collagen, elastin, and other components of the extracellular matrix. Normal wound healing is also a biostimulatory process. It can be one of tissue replacement with scar formation or one of true regenerative healing with functional restoration of the tissue. Dermal fillers can stimulate both types of healing but to different degrees. This paper reviews this mechanism, exploring why some fillers seem to favour replacement and some true regeneration. The patient’s and the filler’s propensity for late inflammatory reactions and their relationship to the biostimulatory characteristics of the product are examined as well.
Joel L. Cohen MD, Greg J. Goodman MD, Ada Trindade De Almeida MD, Derek Jones MD, Jean Carruthers MD, Pearl E. Grimes MD, Maurício de Maio MD, Arthur Swift MD, Nowell
Solish MD, Steven Fagien MD, Alastair Carruthers MD, Sara Sangha PhD
Online Version of Record before inclusion in an issue (August 2023)
Several elements, including age, influence judgments of beauty and attractiveness. Ageing is affected by intrinsic factors (e.g., genetics, race/ethnicity, anatomical variations) and extrinsic factors (e.g., lifestyle, environment).
To provide a general overview of minimally invasive injectable procedures for facial beautification and rejuvenation to meet the aesthetic goals of patients across their lifespan, organised by decade.
This case study review describes aesthetic considerations of females in their third to sixth decade of life (i.e., 20–60 years of age or beyond). Each case study reports the treatments, specifically botulinum toxin type A and soft tissue fillers, used to address aesthetic concerns.
Signs of ageing, as well as aesthetic goals and motivations, vary by age groups, cultures, and races/ethnicities. However, there are overarching themes that are associated with each decade of life, such as changes in overall facial shape and specific facial regions, which can be used as a starting point for aesthetic treatment planning. Appropriate patient selection, thorough aesthetic evaluation, product knowledge, and injection technique, as well as good physician-patient communication, are essential for optimal treatment outcomes.
Non-surgical facial injectable treatments can successfully enhance and rejuvenate facial features across different age ranges. A comprehensive understanding of facial ageing and the aesthetic considerations of patients by the decade contributes to optimal treatment planning and maintenance.
In this section: RF Microneedling, the history of aesthetic laser, Jovena and product news
RF microneedling has become an increasingly popular procedure. But with so many devices on the market, practitioners need to have a factual understanding of electricity and physics to see for themselves which devices are a waste of time and money and which are truly fantastic treatments. Crucially, this can be done without any marketing, opinions or subjectivity.
‘Fractional’ refers to a fraction of a portion of skin being treated at a time. Specifically, it is a regular pattern of needle point-sized dots that correlate to the needles in the handpiece. ‘RF’ refers to the form of energy being sent into the target tissue. ‘Needling’ refers to the fact that this energy in the form of radiofrequency is being delivered from the end of needle tips.
All energy devices take energy in one form and convert it into another to deliver it to the skin. This delivery then causes either damage (e.g. coagulation) or non-damage (e.g. enzyme activation) changes in the skin. In all cases, the initial energy form is electricity. Our devices then use internal circuitry to convert this into something else. That ‘something else’ is then what interacts with our skin. In the case of FRFN, the electricity goes from needle to needle once it’s inside the skin. Very importantly, this means that the skin becomes part of the electrical circuit. As a result of this energy (being too much for it to handle), it coagulates. This coagulation zone is then taken away by the body, and new tissue is created to take its place. This is where we see visual changes - once this has taken place. The new tissue should be much more youthful than that which it replaced.
Herein lies the crux of where all clinicians have no idea why their device is terrible or fantastic. It is for this reason that readers should check their devices against these facts. This is something many manufacturers fail to make clear in their marketing.
To understand this answer, one must remember that the skin is essentially the same as a wire; it is in a circuit that electricity is flowing through. Therefore, the laws of electricity apply whether the clinician thinks their device is the best already or not. Pay close attention…
Electricity, when it travels through a medium, encounters resistance. Theoretically, there may be instances where this isn’t the case, e.g., using a superconductor. This is beyond the scope of this article, however.
Think of the resistance as a protesting crowd trying to go down a particular road. The police have now arrived and are trying to ‘resist’ the crowd. They form a line with riot shields to push back - to ‘resist’ their advance. This resistance has reduced the amount of crowd travelling down the road. Some of the officers are injured, and the crowd starts to push through much easierthe resistance has reduced, and the crowd can flow much more now.
Resistance in a circuit is the ability to ‘resist’ the attempt of charge carriers to circumnavigate the circuit and deposit the energy they are carrying to specific outputs, e.g., a bulb in the case of a ceiling light’s circuit. The resistance is affected by factors such as temperature and the atomic makeup of the medium the electricity is trying to travel through. For example, when a semiconductor such as silicon gets hotter, it has less resistance; when it’s very cold, your car has trouble starting up.
This means that when there is more resistance in the ceiling light’s circuit, but the amount of energy going into the circuit is the same, the light is dimmer. With higher resistance, we have to increase the energy going into the circuit so the bulb is still the same brightness as before. Reread this paragraph if needed. It underpins every case you will ever treat with FRFN.
Now let’s imagine the bulb can be
picked up and carried around with you. Whenever you visit anywhere, you have to plug your bulb in. But, wherever you plug it in, you can increase or decrease the voltage going into it so that if you plug it in at the pub where there’s more resistance, you can still have the same brightness by increasing the voltage. After the pub, you decide to go to the gym. At the gym, they have almost no resistance whatsoever. So, when you plug your bulb in here, it’s far too bright; you have to reduce the voltage you select to keep the bulb at the same brightness… The output of your bulb’s brightness can only ever be the same if you manipulate the voltage going into it by taking into account how much resistance
there is in the circuit that it’s plugged into.
Your skin is the bulb. The coagulation is the brightness. To guarantee that you get the same brightness/coagulation every time, you must measure the resistance across that skin before sending voltage through the circuit. Otherwise, when you plug your bulb in at the pub and don’t increase the voltage to account for the high resistance, you may as well be using a glow worm in a jam jar. Otherwise, when you insert the needles into patient ABC with higher resistance in that part of the face, your coagulation zone will be smaller. Then, there will be less remodelling. Then, there will be less new and youthful tissue.
Then you will have less of a clinical result. If you don’t have a device capable of doing this and claim to get good results still, think how much better your results and reputation would be if you had a device that did.
Remember this article when a sales rep attempts to tell you that you don’t need to measure resistance to get the same coagulation zone every time.
Unfortunately, there are not many devices in the world currently that can measure
the resistance of the skin between the needles and instantly change the voltage of the circuit before delivering power for a split second. Some may give a resistance reading but offer nothing beyond that. At the time of writing this article, the Genius by Lutronic may be the only one in the world capable of this. Before continuing, Consulting Room and the author here have no connection to Lutronic or conflict of interest. Mentioning the Lutronic Genius is a matter of objective and bias-free education only.
The Genius has a unique system whereby needles penetrate a specified depth and pause for a split second before energy is
delivered. This measurement of resistance is shown on the screen, and a feedback light on the handpiece glows either green or red to signify whether the same amount of energy has been delivered.
Many factors exist, and to go through every single one would require literary real estate far beyond the scope of this article, unfortunately. However, touching upon a few should help the reader ask the correct questions to manufacturers to buy the most clinically effective device.
The ability to reach the desired depth is important. If 2mm is chosen as the desired treatment depth, but the needles only make it 1.75mm, clearly, there will be subpar results. This may happen due to factors such as:
• Friction between the needles and the layers they travel through.
• Movement of the skin away from the handpiece when needle pressure is applied.
• Increased number of needles requiring more pressure to push them all through.
The friction between two surfaces is measured with the mathematical constant ‘μ’, pronounced ‘mew’. The higher the μ, the more force is needed to create movement. For example, a 25kg ice block resting on ice will be easier to slide in comparison to a 25kg rubber block resting on a rubber
floor. The former has a much lower μ than the latter.
The movement of the skin deep into itself can occasionally occur because after the needles make contact, instead of piercing, they push the skin deep. This happens to us all when we inject a blunt needle instead of a sharp one. Sharpness is key to preventing this, and we tend to find this phenomenon occurring more towards the end of the appointment than the beginning for reasons which should now be obvious. Another reason is the number of needles…
The number of needles increasing means it’s harder for the same force to ensure penetration just as easily. For example, many people choose to lie in a bed of nails for whatever personal reason(s). These needles don’t penetrate their skin because there are so many - the pressure on their body is spread out over a larger surface area. But, if they lied down with a single nail, I’m sure we can all imagine this coming close to killing them. This is because their body’s pressure is now falling on such a tiny surface area. Hence, when people insist on handpieces/needle cartridges with an everincreasing number of needles for quicker treatments, they don’t always see improved results - it’s harder for them to reach the same depth as easily.
What should I ask a manufacturer to ensure I buy a clinically effective device?
Can the device measure resistance before energy delivery and change voltage to account for this?
• What’s the durability of needle sharpness?
• How do you ensure the correct depth has been reached?
• What is the μ between your needles and skin?
• How many needles are in each cartridge available?
• How much are these cartridges?
• What’s the max depth these needles can reach?
FRFN can be a life-changing treatment and is a very unique modality. The biological remodelling it induces can be very effective in creating a tightening effect for our patients, amongst other things. However, the laws of physics, which Maxwell, Tesla, Faraday and Einstein owe gratitude for, still apply. To not account for their discoveries when designing an effective device is to mock at their altar. If any of them were alive today, I suspect they would be severely disappointed with the current range of devices we are pedalling.
Regardless of how good a company’s subjective marketing is, it will never outweigh the non-subjective factual laws of these great scientists. A manufacturer disagreeing with these laws is a manufacturer disagreeing with Einstein.
NOT ABLE TO FULFIL YOUR CLINIC'S TRUE POTENTIAL WITH APPOINTMENTS? MISSING OUT ON THE FULL EARNING POTENTIAL WITHIN YOUR CLINIC?
STAFFING ISSUES CAN BE A STRESSFUL CYCLE THAT CAN BE AVOIDED!
Here at Consulting Room we have helped thousands of individual clinics and clinic chains since 2003 build their business using our services and now we’re here to take the e ort out of finding sta for your clinic. Using our recruitment service saves you time and ensures you get the best quality candidates, leaving you to focus on building your clinic's success.
Time-saving proven strategies to short-list the most qualified and suitable candidates
Quick turnaround on filling vacancies
Advanced candidate screening tools help you make better hiring decisions
Expert help with benchmarking salary brackets
Maximum exposure and improved e ciency: Adverts will be posted on thousands of other job sites including award-winning recruitment sites such as Indeed and Adzuna
Access to recruitment agent with expert aesthetic knowledge of current legislation and relevant requirements and qualifications for high-quality, fully trained candidates
Option of pre-interview vetting of your chosen candidates by trained recruitment agent
FIND THE RIGHT STAFF FOR YOUR AESTHETIC BUSINESS
BY CHOOSING CONSULTING ROOM AS YOUR RECRUITMENT SPECIALIST
For tailor-made packages to suit your needs contact Sabrina: sabrina@consultingroom.co.uk or call 07734 203 105
Dr Patrick Treacy shares a chapter from his new book entitled ‘The Living History of Medicine’
Dr Patrick Treacy has a new book out, and this time, he takes the reader on a journey with Osler’s famed ‘Goddess of Medicine’ in The Living History of Medicine. Here he shares one of the chapters entitled “The American who helped develop aesthetic lasers”, which explores the life of the American Scientist Charles Townes (1915-2015).
Charles Townes was born in Greenville, S.C., in 1915. He studied at Duke University before completing his PhD at Caltech in 1939. A stint at Bell Labs was followed by a faculty position at Columbia University, where he taught before moving to MIT in 1961 and finally to Berkeley six years later.
It is ironic now to think that in 1958 when he showed that a MASER could theoretically be made to operate in the visible region of the spectrum, his colleagues told him “that his work would have little relevance to the real world”. In 1958, the ‘hula hoop’ was the entire craze in Europe. Russian author Boris Pasternak declined the Nobel Prize in Literature because he feared the authorities would expel him from his motherland. I am sure the world changed considerably when Charles Townes received the Nobel Prize in Physics four years later.
Today, lasers are used in every aspect of life, including an ever-increasing number of cosmetic treatments, including skin resurfacing for wrinkle reduction and acne scars, removal of tattoos, removal of hair, removal of pigmented blemishes (age spots and moles) and the treatment of vascular lesions (port wine stains and spider veins). In fact, the real story of lasers started many years before.
In the year of 1917, the great physicist Albert Einstein postulated that atoms could be persuaded to emit tiny packets of energy called ‘photons’ in his treatise “On the Quantum Theory of Radiation.” This sentinel piece of physics laid the groundwork for the theory of stimulated emission of radiation, which was later used by the by American physicist Gordon Gould to coin the acronym LASER.
used to vaporise water in tissues, thereby causing resurfacing and later collagen stimulation with significant improvements to wrinkles in the skin. In 1961, research was focused on this new technology and continued with the production of a new laser made from crystals of yttrium-aluminium-garnet treated with 1-3% neodymium.
In essence, the word is an abbreviation of the phrase light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. In 1960, Theodore Maiman working with the Hughes Electric Corporation in California, created the world’s first working Ruby laser. The acronym LASER, although appearing theoretical, is of more than passing interest because it means a laser device must be able to make a new form of light. This light must be composed of one wavelength (colour), it must pass in one direction (coherent), and its waves must be parallel.
These unique characteristics can be used by doctors to achieve different results. We know that different wavelengths can penetrate various depths of the skin, and they can also cause dissimilar effects by targeting differing-coloured lesions.
This means that laser A could be used to target haemoglobin (red) in the broken blood vessels (telangiectasia) of rosacea, while laser B may be used to target melanin (brown) in the hair on an upper lip of a female with hirsutism. It also means that lasers could be
The world’s first Nd: YAG laser was developed. This laser emitted energy in the near-infrared (IR) spectrum at a wavelength of 1060nm. Although many Americans felt safer to have more powerful lasers being developed, doctors tried to harness its power as they found its high-penetration emission to be useful for vapourising tissues and thermally coagulating large blood vessels.
The laser is still widely used in cosmetic medicine today. It has even found a new role in targeting hair follicles in darker-coloured skin. The following year, the first experiments into depilation by laser took place when Dr Leon Goldman used the principle of selective target destruction with ruby lasers to destroy the melanin in hair follicles. Unfortunately for him, although the idea was good, he did not consider that the laser emitted a continuous wave more adept at targeting melanin in the skin and burnt his patients. The other patients in the experiment suffered from post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and the experiment was abandoned.
In that year, the argon laser was also developed. This laser emitted energy in the blue-green portion of the visible spectrum, making it more readily absorbed by melanin and haemoglobin than by the surrounding tissue. In 1963, the ruby laser became the first medical laser when Francis L’Esperance from the ColumbiaPresbyterian Medical Centre used it to coagulate retinal lesions.
In 1965, Townes began working with Bell researchers Eugene Gordon and Edward Labuda to design a better laser for eye surgery as the blue-green light of the argon laser is more readily absorbed by blood vessels than the red light of the ruby laser.
After further refinements and experiments, they developed a laser that is still used to this day to treat patients with diabetic
retinopathy. It also has a use in the treatment of port-wine stains. In 1964, Patel at Bell Laboratories developed the CO2 laser. This laser operated at 10,600 nm, and it was like the Nd YAG in that it could be used for cutting materials like stainless steel.
The advantage was that it could also be focused onto a smaller spot, a function that one day could be useful in space. Thankfully for cosmetic medicine at this wavelength, energy is also heavily absorbed by water, which everyone knows is the primary constituent and chromophore of cells in living tissue. This function made the energy generated by the new CO2 laser suitable for tissue vapourisation, and a whole new era of wrinkle removal by skin resurfacing began. The experiments on trying to find the ‘Holy Grail’ of being able to remove hair by laser light followed throughout most of the rest of the sixties. In 1967, attempts were made to reduce skin damage by directing the light energy to
individual follicles using a wire-thin fibre optic apparatus. Many of these devices were sold illegally in the United States throughout the late sixties until the FDA banned their use.
In 1968, Union Carbide commissioned a study by Dermascan (manufacturer of the Proteus thermolysis machine) of the effects of applying laser energy applied directly to each hair follicle. The results were largely unsuccessful in that the perceived depilation may have been related to a type of electrolysis effect. Today Union Carbide is more famous, when in 1984, their chemical plant in Bhopal, India, leaked 27 tons of the deadly gas methyl isocyanate into the atmosphere, exposing half a million people to the gas, resulting in the eventual deaths of 20,000 people.
Charles Townes died at the age of 99 in Oakland, California, on January 27, 2015. He was one of the most important experimental physicists of the last century.
You can buy The Living History of Medicine on Amazon for £25.59 for the hardcover, £20.25 for the paperback or £3.50 for the Kindle.
Alma has announced the launch of its latest innovation – Opus™. The dedicated radiofrequency platform introduces a customised approach to facial skin tightening and resurfacing. Harnessing the power of Alma’s patented unipolar radiofrequency, Opus™ enables deeper skin penetration and faster, homogenous thermal effects for new collagen stimulation. Together with the Opus Plasma® applicator, a first-of-its-kind technology, it addresses various skin quality and texture concerns from minor to complex, all with incredible results. The synergy of the two modalities together creates enhanced tightening and resurfacing with little to no downtime. Operating at a high frequency (over 40 MHz), the Opus Plasma® charges metal pins on the tips of the applicator to a high RF voltage. The use of microplasma comes with unparalleled precision when contacting the skin, only targeting where it is needed and reducing unwanted inflammation.
BTL Aesthetics has added EXION™ to its portfolio of devices. The breakthrough 4-in-1 device allows medical professionals to address multiple aesthetic concerns for face, body, and intimate health, all with minimal discomfort and downtime. Among the four distinct applicators, the standout is the EXION™ Fractional RF. This new microneedling RF applicator harnesses the power of advanced technology, utilising AI pulse control together with monopolar radiofrequency to deliver remarkable results with less pain and more gain.
Designed with ultimate patient comfort in mind, EXION™ can treat over 20 different areas across the face and body, including the periorbital area, forehead, neck, and décolletage as well as arms, abdomen, thighs, and buttocks, offering endless possibilities for patients. Backed by a series of clinical trials, EXION™ is proven to deliver results across the four key applicators, including a 224% increase in hyaluronic acid, an 85% increase in skin laxity and a 22% fat reduction.
Lumenis is broadening its range of offerings by introducing the new Legend Pro+. This advanced multimodality platform incorporates three technologies centred around radiofrequency (RF).
The Tripollar mechanism induces skin tightening by skilfully applying controlled heat to the deep dermal layers. Utilising Voluderm, the platform generates controlled micro-injuries that stimulate fresh collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid synthesis. Meanwhile, the Trifractional mode rejuvenates and revitalises the skin through precise contact RF application, targeting specific ablation points. These cutting-edge technologies are amplified by the Legend Pro+’s novel handpieces, capable of providing real-time temperature feedback with millisecond precision even during movement. Additionally, the device features five electrodes and varying needle tips, each distinct in length and dimension, allowing for the creation of desired clinical outcomes.
Cosmeditech has introduced TargetCool, a precise and controlled cryotherapy device designed to enhance various treatment approaches.
The treatment can be integrated with other therapies, utilised as a standalone, or used post-treatment to support the healing process. Compact and handheld, the device boasts an array of advanced features that elevate its performance during clinical surgical procedures. It incorporates a specialised cooling nozzle that effectively diminishes inflammation and a freezing nozzle dedicated to cryosurgery. Additionally, the device is equipped with an ampoule injection nozzle and a carbon rejuvenation attachment. These innovative components enable non-invasive penetration into the dermal layers, facilitating the introduction of therapeutic ampoules and CO2.
We all know that multi-modality devices are the key to enhanced efficiency and profitability in clinic, but these platforms can hold your aesthetic practice back if they don’t allow you to offer patients the most advanced technologies available. Jovena has just landed on the UK market from Italy, and this cutting-edge device is making even esteemed aesthetic doctors sit up and take notice. Billed as a bio-regenerative platform, Jovena combines two patented modalities - Fractional Plasma and Facestim (powered by RF DiatermoContraction) - in a single device to provide a unique approach to skin regeneration.
These two breakthrough technologies allow you to address all aspects of skin rejuvenation like never before. Fractional Plasma performs minimally invasive microsurgery and skin resurfacing, while Facestim, a truly unique modality described as an intense facial workout, reaches the deeper dermal layers and muscles to
tighten lax skin, restore volume where it’s been lost and tone facial muscles. It works using the bQUAD applicator (one of four on the device), which has a patented reticular geometry for optimised and homogenous heat diffusion, and two bipolar hemispherical electrodes. The handpiece channels Jovena’s proprietary RF diathermic pulse to promote tightening, firming and toning into the deeper dermal layers and facial muscles. Facestim is an excellent way to give patients a healthier, naturally younger-looking face in a comfortable and non-invasive way.
A Facestim treatment provides visible lifting and elevation of the face and minimises wrinkles without needles. All muscle fibres and skin fibres are activated at the same time, increasing collagen and elastin to counteract the signs of ageing in a comfortable, 20-minute session. Plus, there’s absolutely no downtime.
The remaining handpieces — plasmaROLL, plasmaTIP and plasmaPRO ¬— are all used for fractional plasma treatments to achieve epidermal resurfacing. The range of handpieces allows practitioners to perform plasma treatments on different face and body areas at varying depths, depending on patients’ needs. Concerns that can be treated include active acne, scars, wrinkles, skin laxity, and minimally invasive microsurgery such as plasmabased blepharoplasty and benign lesion removal, with minimal downtime.
• plasmaROLL is a gentle fractional plasma applicator that targets the superficial layers of the skin to optimise epidermal cell renewal and is ideal for large areas on the body and neck. The applicator is a disposable roll made with a dense matrix of micro holes to ensure the plasma energy is delivered at a fixed distance from the skin to diminish the risk of unwanted side effects.
• plasmaTIP provides precise delivery of fractional plasma to treat common skin and ageing issues and is ideal for patients who want effective results with minimal downtime. The patented handpiece features an encapsulated, disposable needle tip for maximum control of the plasma energy shot. The surrounding glass acts as to keep a fixed distance from the skin and ensures constant ionisation. Practitioners can choose from two modality techniques: spot and linear.
• plasmaPRO creates controlled damage from the epidermis with tailored spots in either ablative or non-ablative modes, while the DAC modality also allows practitioners to select spot size — super-thin, medium or medium-wide. There is also an innovative spray program to target medium-sized areas with high sublimation but limited damage. This is the applicator used for periorbital treatments (blefaroplasma) and benign lesion removal.
Dr Rita Rakus was the first to introduce Jovena into clinic in the UK. She comments: “We introduced Jovena into the clinic in November 2022, and have been incredibly impressed with this revolutionary technology. Facestim provides visible lifting from the first treatment without downtime or consumable costs and is perfect for my patients who are increasingly wanting preventative and corrective treatments with a natural result and without downtime.
It is a wonderful alternative to dermal fillers for their 20-30year journey as a patient. We have also recently launched our PlasmaZome treatment using Jovena’s plasmaROLL technology in combination with EXO|E plant-based exosomes. This offers a nodowntime treatment to stimulate collagen production while gently resurfacing the skin, which is leaving our patients delighted.”
• Dermatochalasis
• Xanthelasma
• Acne (including cystic acne)
• Lentigo
• Fibroma
• Verruca
• Facial skin laxity
• Skin wrinkles
• Brow, temple and forehead asymmetries
• Nasolabial folds, jowls and marionette lines
• Festoons
Brera Medical Technologies is based in Italy. The company develops and manufactures medical devices for the professional and physical medicine and rehabilitation markets. After three generations and 30 years of know-how, Brera is recognised as a pioneer and leader in the worldwide medical aesthetic and physiotherapy, combining traditional Italian creativity and intuition with advanced technologies to meet the needs of the fields it serves. Brera’s other aesthetic devices include Plasmage (included in Jovena), Imperium MED 400 for body contouring and cellulite treatment and Skin Master Plus for skin health and rejuvenation treatments. In the UK, the manufacturer has partnered with
Aesthetic Medical Partnership (AMP), a distributor founded by well-known, highly respected aesthetic-industry professionals, Martyn Roe and Paul Simmonds.
For more information visit https://amp-uk.co.uk/
In this section: Treating pigmentation, plant-based exosomes and product news
Shutterstock/Mykhailo
We spoke to two cosmetic doctors about their recommendations for treating two stubborn types of pigmentation, and why the colder months are the best time to do it
Any aesthetic practitioner worth their salt knows that pigmentation issues shouldn’t be addressed during the spring and summer months. However, patients are often unaware of the reasons why pigmentation treatment programmes should be started in autumn or early winter and can actually be surprised to learn that it can take more than a serum and a few in-clinic peels to clear it. Treating pigmentation in the winter is beneficial and preferable for a few reasons. As sun exposure is a major factor that exacerbates many types of pigmentation, the shorter days, lower sun positioning and cooler temperatures of autumn result in decreased sun exposure, which in turn prevents further darkening of the affected pigmented areas.
Less intense UV radiation is also key, as when the sun’s ultraviolet radiation is weaker during the winter months, patients are less likely to trigger additional pigment production due to UV exposure when they are outside, and we know that UV radiation is a major contributor to skin damage and pigmentation problems. In addition, many pigmentation treatments involve the use of products or procedures that can make skin more sensitive to sunlight and therefore uncomfortable (in varying degrees depending on the depth of treatment).
Treating pigmentation during the winter can make the process far more comfortable for patients, as they’re less likely to feel the heat and discomfort associated with certain de-pigmenting treatments compared to during the warmer, more humid summer months. Less sun exposure and cooler temperatures also mean that the skin has a better chance of healthy and accelerated healing from more aggressive treatments, as patients tend to have quieter social lives and are less inclined to be out about and about when they should be engaging in all-important downtime. By treating pigmentation in the second half of the year, the skin has a head start in terms of improvement so that by the time spring rolls around, patients’ skin health will hopefully be in a better condition and less prone to flare-ups or developing more pigmentation when exposed to higher levels of UV radiation once again.
As we prepare to move into autumn, we asked aesthetic doctors Dr Catharine Denning and Dr Manav Bawa for their suggested treatment plans for two stubborn types of pigmentation - acne scarring and melasma.
“There are three visible skin changes that can occur following acne. One is scar tissue formation and the other two are skin colour changes that can occur with or without the presence of scar tissue,” explains Dr Catharine Denning, who practises from The Light Centre in London. “The first skin colour change is postinflammatory erythema (PIE); in light skin, this presents as pink or red where trauma has occurred, while the second is postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which tends to be brown in colour and more likely to occur in those with darker skin types. PIH is similar to other forms of hyperpigmentation in that it is caused by the stimulation of melanocytes to make the skin darker, resulting in more highly melanated areas of the skin localised to where the inflammatory changes have occurred. The difference between PIH and other forms of pigmentation is that in acne, these melanocytes are stimulated by cutaneous inflammatory mediators following trauma or infection rather than other factors such as age or changes in hormones,” says Dr Denning.
Treatment plan: Acne scarring
“Depending on the severity of the residual skin marks, treatment may differ, but all would require good at-home skincare as a bare minimum, along with in-clinic treatments to resurface the epidermis,” says Dr Denning. And sunscreen is an absolute must.
• Scar tissue — “This can be broken down and remodelled using in-clinic treatments such as microneedling or ablative lasers like CO2, while subcision can help reduce any deeper tethering of the skin, which gives an uneven appearance.”
• PIE — “Aim to target the inflammation and broken vessels that cause the pink colour. In-clinic, this could be via microneedling or lasers such as IPL or pulsed-dye laser. At home, patients should use targeted, prescribed products containing ingredients like niacinamide, azelaic acid, vitamin C and tretinoin.”
PIH — “Aim to both reduce melanocyte activity as well as remove existing pigment in the skin. In-clinic options include chemical peels (to help take off the top layers of pigmentation and reduce its appearance) and Nd-YAG laser. Blue-light therapy can also break down and reduce pigment patches. In terms of home care, patients should be advised to downregulate the melanocyte activity with depigmenting topicals such as hydroquinone, arbutin, kojic acid or tretinoin, as well as resurfacing treatments such as exfoliating acids like glycolic,” says Dr Denning.
Acne scarring becomes more difficult to treat if the patient is also dealing with active acne. In this instance, Dr Denning advises focusing on the treatments and ingredients that tackle both scarring and active breakouts. “There is a difference in approach between treating active acne and resulting scarring, but there is some overlap in ingredients — especially retinoids and exfoliating acids — and in-clinic treatments such as peels and LED therapy can be effective at treating both the acne itself and its resulting post-acne skin lesions,” she says. “I would, however, avoid the use of microneedling or subcision in active acne, as this can spread infection.”
Though the scarring following acne often does not completely clear up and the associated pigmentation is often very stubborn, Dr Denning says that on a treatment plan like this, it should minimise significantly, depending on severity. “Skincare alone can help minimise PIE and PIH over the course of a few months (on average, six), whereas in-clinic laser and peels often require a course of treatment but can be effective as soon as the subsequent few days after the initial treatment,” she says. In terms of the specific products that she finds success with, Dr Denning prefers stronger, prescribed topicals for acne scarring. “I like the acids and retinoids in the ZO and Obagi Nu-Derm ranges, prescribed azelaic acid, tretinoin and hydroquinone,” she says.
“Melasma is an acquired condition of the skin, which usually presents as patchy pigmentation in a symmetrical pattern across both sides of the face. It is common on the forehead, front of cheeks, upper lip and chin,” explains Dr Manav Bawa, medical director of Time Clinic in Chigwell, Essex. “Other types of pigmentation can appear anywhere without a typical pattern, and are usually caused by UV radiation and trauma, as well as the natural ageing process.” Instead, melasma is linked to hormones, and is much more common in women between the ages of 20 and 40, with a higher incidence in pregnancy,” says Dr Bawa.
“There are links to hormonal changes, however it can still occur in men, albeit more rarely. It is more common in skin types who tan easily, as well as patients with brown skin (Fitzpatrick 3 and 4). Sometimes we don’t know the cause, and other times it could be a genetic component.” Despite this, melasma can still be triggered by sun exposure, so autumn and winter are the best times of the year to embark on treatment for the most success. “Patients can start treatment any time of year, but during the summer months it will be harder to reduce the activity of the melanocytes due to the stimulation from the sun,” says Dr Bawa.
Treatment plan: Melasma
“I would always start with a thorough consultation to find out how the patient rates the severity of the melasma, and how it impacts their lives. What would be important is finding out what they have used in the past, as well as if they can tolerate any downtime. Their social history is of importance, such as their job (client-facing, as an
example) because these factors may change the treatment plan,” advises Dr Bawa. “I would start with basic recommendations such as camouflage make-up and blood tests to check whether there are any other causes.”
“Home care should include products to be used on a day-to-day basis, such as a hydroquinone-based product, vitamin C to help brighten and of course, medical-grade sunscreen to prevent the melasma getting worse. In-clinic treatments could include peels to really help boost the results of the skincare regime,” he says, adding, “Other treatments can include steroid cream and tranexamic acid tablets, while lasers can also play a part in treatment.” Dr Bawa favours hydroquinone in the treatment of melasma (pending potential contraindications), and he sometimes pairs it with tretinoin. “They can work well together to really reduce the melasma and pigmentation, as found in the Nu-Derm System by Obagi, alongside Obagi Professional C Serum to help brighten the skin.” For patients who are allergic to hydroquinone or would prefer not to risk any downtime, Dr Bawa recommends iS Clinical Brightening Serum, Brightening Complex and Active Serum to reduce the melasma in a gentler manner. “I always tell my patients that we can calm the melasma and then manage it, however, usually, it cannot be fully cleared. We have got great results where the melasma becomes barely noticeable — especially with tinted sunscreen — but it is very challenging to fully get rid of it,” says Dr Bawa.
This protocol also works for hyperpigmentation.
The word “exosomes” seems to be on everybody’s lips these days. They may be small, but the potential of these nano-sized intercellular messengers is not.
In aesthetics, they are offering novel and exciting possibilities due to their remarkable regenerative properties and anti-inflammatory effects.
Exosomes can be used on their own or in combination with other treatments to stimulate collagen production and cell renewal, speed up healing and minimise recovery time. This makes them a powerful tool to have in your kit.
Exosomes can be derived from plants, animals, or humans. Enclosed within a lipid membrane, these nanoscale sacs play a pivotal role in facilitating intercellular communication. Acting as messengers, they transport signalling molecules like proteins and genetic material between cells, thereby influencing essential biological processes. When they come across cells in need of repair, they trigger the restoration process, setting in motion the wheels of cellular rejuvenation.
However, the usage of human-derived exosomes has raised concerns, particularly in the UK, where the use of human-derived ingredients is prohibited. While some people are using topical exosome applications under the rationale that it is permissible as long as they are not injected, the legality of such practices remains questionable.
Regulatory and safety concerns contribute to the hesitation surrounding human-derived exosomes. Since exosomes are derived from cells, it is imperative to establish standardised
manufacturing processes and quality control measures to ensure their safety, efficacy, and reproducibility.
Additionally, thorough evaluation of the potential off-target effects or unintended consequences of exosome-based therapies is still ongoing. This is where plant-based alternatives offer an exciting opportunity.
Plant Derived Extracellular Nanoparticles, or PDENs are extracted from plant stem cells and represent the botanical counterpart to human exosomes.
In simple terms, PDENs are envelopes that facilitate cell-to-cell communication. Over the past decade, research has unveiled
that plant stem cells produce human cytokine-like factors that enable the use of plant secretory factors for human cell signalling.1,2,3,4
For aesthetic applications, this means scientists can load these envelopes with thousands of biomimetic factors, including
Aesthetic Medical Partnership (AMP) has recently launched EXO|E Revitalizing Complex, a cutting-edge skincare solution that harnesses the power of biomimetic plant stem cell technology to rejuvenate and revitalise the skin.
This unique bio-based patented technology ensures flawless compatibility with the skin, providing exceptional support and supplementation to its natural signalling mechanism, leading to optimal rebalancing effects.
One of the advantages of EXO|E lies in its exceptional ability to penetrate the skin transdermally through lipophilic absorption. This enables a comprehensive treatment approach, reaching and addressing the entire dermal architecture with efficient cell-to-cell signalling.
Suitable for all skin types and conditions, the comprehensive treatment protocol consists of three steps: D|TOX, EXO|E, and RE|PAIR. These steps can be seamlessly incorporated into both in-clinic and athome routines, whether it’s to prepare the skin before a procedure or to amplify treatment outcomes.
• To prep the skin before treatment and enhance outcomes
EXO|E can be used to prepare skin pre-procedure for services like RFmicroneedling, resurfacing and other aesthetic treatments. D|TOX can be used twice daily for five days to hydrate the skin up to 10x for optimum treatment results. EXO|E serum then works synergistically with any in-office treatment to optimise immediate and
References
growth factors, peptides, liposomes, amino acids, and proteins directed explicitly to target inflammation as well as for wound healing angiogenesis and the stimulation of hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin production.
visible results pre and post-treatment.
• To enhance healing postprocedure
Traditional rejuvenation procedures often induce inflammation, causing pain, swelling, redness, extended downtime, and undesirable side effects that leave patients with a negative experience or hesitancy to repeat the treatment, EXO|E offers a paradigm shift in the healing process. By redirecting the focus from inflammation to rejuvenation, EXO|E minimises downtime while delivering enhanced treatment results. The RE|PAIR product is used twice daily for five days post-treatment, enhancing comfort and shortening downtime.
• As a standalone skincare solution EXO|E can also be used as a standalone treatment, offering versatility and convenience for individuals seeking a singular skincare solution.
The three-step process of EXO|E entails the following:
1. D|TOX: This step provides deep hydration and prepares the skin for subsequent aesthetic treatments, ensuring optimal efficacy.
collagen and elastin production by 165% and 891%, respectively*, as well as increasing the secretion of hyaluronic acid by 198%** and providing a 61% daily reduction in inflammation***.
AMP is set to introduce a new PDEN product for hair regeneration this autumn. DE|RIVE Daily Hair Support Serum was specifically formulated to address hair and scalp health.
Carefully curated from well-studied, plantbased factors that support scalp and hair health, DE|RIVE is available for in-clinic topical application, as well as a takehome that can be easily applied daily for continuous support.
The DE|RIVE Daily Hair Support System allows for continuous support to help nourish the skin and scalp and improve the appearance of thicker, fuller hair. Unlike other products, the DE|RIVE serum is 100% natural, hormone free, and made from plant factors.
2
. EXO|E serum: Packed with concentrated stem cell factors, this serum delivers targeted and desired outcomes, effectively revitalising the skin.
3. RE|PAIR serum: Working in synergy with EXO|E, this serum reinforces the effects with additional extracellular nanoparticle technology and liposomes, maximising the benefits of the treatment.
Studies also show that EXO|E increases
Plant-based exosomes offer a powerful alternative to human-derived exosomes, setting a new standard for comprehensive and effective skin and hair treatments.
*Quantification of collagen and elastin expression evaluated by qRT-PCR in human dermal fibroblasts with different treatments. P < 0.05
**Secretion of Hyaluronic Acid evaluated by ELISA in human dermal fibroblast
***Human dermal Endothelial cell Invitro
1. Teng Y, Xu F, Zhang X, et al. Plant-derived exosomal microRNAs inhibit lung inflammation induced by exosomes SARS-CoV-2 Nsp12. Mol Ther. 2021;29(8):2424-2440. doi:10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.05.005
2. Cui Y, Gao J, He Y, Jiang L. Plant extracellular vesicles. Protoplasma. 2020;257(1):3-12. doi:10.1007/s00709-019-01435-6
3. Dad HA, Gu TW, Zhu AQ, Huang LQ, Peng LH. Plant Exosome-like Nanovesicles: Emerging Therapeutics and Drug Delivery Nanoplatforms. Mol Ther. 2021;29(1):13-31. doi:10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.11.030
4. Karamanidou, T.; Tsouknidas, A. Plant-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as Therapeutic Nanocarriers. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 191. https:// doi.org/10.3390/ijms23010191
Croma-Pharma has launched Pliaglis, the only approved, self-occluding topical local anaesthetic cream, in the UK and Ireland. Specifically designed and licensed for anaesthetic needs in aesthetic medicine, Pliaglis complements Croma’s range of aesthetic injectables to protect the patient and significantly reduce pain from minimally invasive procedures. Pliaglis is the only licensed topical anaesthetic cream that combines the highest registered concentration of lidocaine (7 %) and tetracaine (7 %) in a self-occluding formulation that can start being effective as early as 30 minutes after application, with a duration of up to 13 hours. While lidocaine penetrates the epidermal skin layer and grants a quick onset to efficacy, tetracaine penetrates the dermal skin layer and allows for a prolonged duration of effect.
5 Squirrels is introducing a range of new skincare products. Launching in September are Thrive: Change Management Serum and Calm: Empowering Night Cream, both formulated to help women improve their skin and feel more comfortable during menopause. Thrive is a gel serum that reduces redness, irritation, and sensitivity while increasing skin firmness and elasticity. Calm rejuvenates the skin during sleep. It refines tone and texture and stimulates collagen production. Addressing oily and blemish-prone skin concerns, The Clarify Collection will be available to pre-order in October. The range includes Clear: Degreasing Cleanser and three new products: Remove: Oil Control Pads, Control: Breakout-Buster Serum, and Zap: Blemish Control Pen.
Mystro Active Balance Serum is the latest innovation from award-winning skincare brand skinbetter science®. Mystro Active Balance Serum is powered by P.A.T.H technology, a propriety blend of powerful plant-based adaptogens designed to enhance skin’s natural ability to adapt to stress and help achieve balance for a more radiant, healthy-looking complexion. A 12-week dermatologist-led clinical trial evaluated improvements in appearance and patient satisfaction from baseline in 53 patients with mild-to-severe photo-damaged skin.
100% of patients reported an improvement in the overall facial skin quality; 98% felt more confident in their skin’s appearance, and 87% said friends and family noticed or commented on the skin’s improved appearance. skinbetter science products and Mystro Active Balance Serum are only available for purchase through an authorised medical aesthetic practic
Medica Forte has introduced a new range of glutathione-based products. Glutaceuticals is a capsule collection of professional skincare, treatments, and home peels, designed to simplify skincare regimes while delivering amplified results.
The brand is utilising the most potent form of glutathione, L-glutathione, in the range, alongside a blend of 25 other carefully curated ingredients and acids. Glutathione is a naturally-occurring tri-peptide that helps neutralise free radicals. The combination of these ingredients is designed to correct, protect, and perfect the skin at the same time as preserving its texture, pigment, and lipids.
The only partner you need to finance both your business and your treatments.
Asset
Competitive rates Choose from over a dozen funders Practice finance specialists Financial support for your entire project Service tailored to your specific needs
Treatment
Highest acceptance rates
Next day payment
Instant decision
Quick and easy application process
Proactive application monitoring ensuring maximum uptake
Partner with us and utilise both solutions to see the impact that the Snowbird difference will have on you, your business, and your patients.
Our promise to you: - no chatbots, no jargon, no gimmicks.
In this section: Copywriting, insurance, training and dates for the diary
Shutterstock/Stokkete/PopTika/Roman Samborskyi/Kwangmoozaa
In today’s digital world, where attention spans are shrinking, creating compelling and persuasive copy has become essential for businesses to stand out from the crowd.
Writing engaging copy helps you capture attention, communicate value, generate leads, establish trust, and build long-term relationships with your target audience. It’s a powerful tool for driving business growth and success in a competitive marketplace.
Here are six reasons why copy is important:
1) Attracting and capturing attention
Engaging copy helps you stand out from the competition and grab the attention of your target audience. It creates intrigue, piques curiosity, and encourages potential customers to explore further.
2) Building brand personality Engaging copy allows you to showcase the personality and values of your aesthetics business. It helps you establish a unique brand voice and tone that resonates with your target audience. By infusing your copy with your brand’s personality, you create a memorable impression and foster a connection with potential customers.
3) Communicating benefits and value
Engaging copy allows you to effectively communicate the benefits and value of your aesthetic services or products. It enables you to highlight how your offerings can address your customers’ pain points, enhance their well-
being, boost their confidence, or improve their appearance. By clearly articulating the value you provide, you increase the chances of converting prospects into paying customers.
4) Generating leads and conversions
Well-crafted copy can serve as a powerful tool for lead generation and conversion. By using persuasive language, compelling storytelling, and powerful calls to action, you can motivate potential customers to take the desired action, such as signing up for a newsletter, booking a consultation, or making a purchase. Engaging copy also has the potential to drive conversions and increase your revenue.
5) Establishing credibility and trust
Trust is a crucial factor in attracting and retaining customers, and engaging copy plays a significant role in establishing that trust and credibility with your audience. By providing accurate information, addressing common concerns, and showcasing your expertise, you can position your aesthetics business as a reliable and trustworthy authority.
6) Enhancing brand loyalty and customer retention
Engaging copy not only attracts new customers but also helps in fostering brand loyalty and retaining existing customers. By consistently delivering valuable, interesting, and engaging content, you can keep your audience connected to your brand. It can also encourage customers to share their positive experiences with others, leading to word-of-mouth referrals and further business growth.
Following the huge success of the inaugural Menopause in Aesthetics (MIA) event in 2023, the conference is set to return for 2024 with a new, bigger London venue and even more expert speakers and engaging content than before.
MIA is a must-attend event for anyone looking to provide menopause support in their aesthetic clinic.
The hybrid conference will feature 15 (CPD-applied for) talks, with speakers from both within and
Our aim is to empower aesthetic professionals with the knowledge and tools they need to better serve women going through menopause.
outside the aesthetics industry sharing their best practices.
Taking place at the Business Design Centre in London, the event is expected to attract 500 delegates and 40 exhibitors in person, with a further 300 tuning in via MIA's live stream.
Whether you want to integrate menopause services into your practice or be more educated about this demographic so you can refer your patients to the right resources, MIA is the place to be.
This exciting one day event includes:
30 Top experts
40 Exhibitors
500 Delegates
CPD points Masterclasses
Online and in person ticket options
Our headline sponsor for Menopause in Aesthetics Conference 2024 is Roseway Labs
www.rosewaylabs.com
Thank you to our other sponsors
Charlotte Body MIA founder and MD
Decreasing testosterone levels as a result of male menopause or andropause can lead to a number of symptoms from lower sex drive to lack of energy and loss of strength or muscle mass. We explore how to support male patients with hormonal changes.
The link between the skin and hormones is well-documented. From dryness and pigmentation to loss of collagen and elastin and hair loss, we explore the impact on the skin and hair caused by dramatic changes in hormone levels experienced during menopausal years.
Surgical removal of the ovaries in ovarian and womb cancer as well as radiation therapy and chemotherapy for gynaecological and breast cancers can result in ovarian failure and early menopause. We explore this important topic.
From vaginal dryness and laxity to incontinence and low libido, intimate health concerns are something that impacts many women during menopause. Our experts will explore the treatments and solutions to give women and their vaginas a new lease of life during menopause.
Dr Ginni Mansberg
GP, TV presenter author of The M Word and How to Thrive in Menopause and co-founder of ESK Skincare.
Dr Shirin
Lakhani
GP and aesthetic practitioner, specialising in intimate health, sexual dysfunction and menopause.
Dr Nabil Elmahdawi
A senior consultant in clinical oncology, he is passionate about supporting cancer patients thrown into early menopause.
Dr Anne Henderson
Highly experienced consultant gynaecologist and the owner of The Amara Clinic for womens health.
Miriam Martinez Callejas
Superintendent pharmacist (Roseway Labs). International experience in bio-pharmacy research and compounding.
Dr Natasha Fernando
Head of clinical excellence at Medichecks and a practising GP with over 12 years of experience in the NHS.
The Aesthetics Business Conference is back for 2023, helping to support practitioners in taking their aesthetic business to the next level.
The sixth Aesthetics Business Conference (ABC) will be held on 19 September at the iconic grade one listed Royal College of Physicians, in their award-winning conference centre. It will be an all-day in-person CPD accredited event running from 9:00am until 5.30pm.
From initial business set up, support and advice, best practice and everything in between, ABC is an expert guide to help you start your personal journey within the cosmetic industry.
The agenda for the day features carefully selected industry experts to help guide practitioners through the common pitfalls, helping you to achieve ultimate business success.
This year, the Aesthetics Business Conference is split into two key areas of focus aimed at supporting practitioners with practical business advice as well as top tips on future proofing your business following the upcoming industry legislative changes.
The morning sessions will focus on practitioners’ business development and management.
And new for 2023, the afternoon will feature a series of medicolegal sessions in association with the Joint Council of Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) including tax, legislation, regulation and insurance.
A medicolegal panel session will also close this year’s conference, providing practitioners with the opportunity to discuss the Government consultation for the new non-surgical cosmetic license in England and new licensing proposals.
The panel includes the following key industry commentators:
• Professor David Sines CBE, JCCP
• Sarah Clover, Barrister of Kings Chambers
• Andrew Rankin, Trustee at JCCP
• Diane Hey, Founder and CEO at the Hair and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA)
With a number of sessions, there is something for everyone at ABC 2023. Some key talks include:
Dr Harry Singh, Founder and CEO of the Botulinum Toxin Club, covers the patient journey
Dr Harry Singh, Founder and CEO of the Botulinum Toxin Club - one of the most prolific award winners in the UK. With over 21 years’ experience carrying out facial aesthetics, Dr Singh is a leading light in the sector, having treated over 10,000 cases. Dr Singh will lead the session on ‘The 8 A’s of the patient journey’. In this session, you’ll find out how to increase patient retention, create ‘fans’ of your clinic, and much more.
Dr Manav Bawa, Medical Director of Time Clinic, covers starting your aesthetics business
A multi-award-winning cosmetic doctor and injectables trainer with a background in surgery, Dr Bawa is perfectly placed to draw on his own success story and will lead the session on ‘how to start your business’.
Dr Priyanka Chadha, co-founder of Acquisition Aesthetics, discusses training in aesthetic medicine
Drawing on her extensive international experience as an advanced trainer in aesthetic injections and non-surgical facial aesthetics, Dr Priyanka Chadha will lead the session on ‘All you need to know about training in aesthetic medicine’.
With her stellar academic credentials including a master’s degree in surgical education and training, combined with a passion for teaching, it is no surprise that Dr Chadha has been awarded several national prizes and awards for her teaching programmes.
Professor David Sines CBE, Chair of the JCCP, discusses the design and implementation of a new system of governance and licensing in England Professor Sines will lead this year’s medicolegal session on the theme of public protection and ‘the design and implementation of a new system of governance and licensing in England’.
Best known in the aesthetics industry for his role as Chair of the Joint Council for
Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP), Professor Sines has been commended for his pioneering work in advancing the art of science of nursing and community care and was awarded a CBE in 2010 for ‘services to health care’. He has held numerous roles including four Secretary of State appointments and several senior positions in academia, as well as leading the national review on education and training standards for the non-surgical sector in England and has maintained a lifelong commitment to governance and public protection.
Sarah Clover, Barrister of Kings Chambers, discusses the future of licensing following the Health and Care Act 2022
Sarah is one of the leading barristers in the country in licensing, having been involved in some of the most important cases in the last decade, and is a pioneer in this modern licensing regime. Sarah is nationally recognised as an expert in this field. With licensing changes on the horizon for practitioners, Sarah discusses the future of licensing in the aesthetics sector, what practitioners can expect and how to make sure they remain compliant.
In addition to access to expert industry advice, ABC offers:
Government regulation updates
Be the first to learn about the upcoming industry legislation at our medicolegal sessions.
Over eight hours of content
A packed day of networking opportunities and business talks at the renowned Royal College of Physicians from experts in the industry.
Industry exhibitors
Find out more about how to start your aesthetic clinic and how you can get support from a variety of industry exhibitors.
Accredited CPD points
Gain up to eight hours of CPD points to measure the time and quality of learning and development.
Hamilton Fraser are proud sponsors of Consulting Room and are offering readers 10% off your ABC 2023 ticket by using discount code CONSULTINGROOM10.
For more information visit www. aestheticsbusinessconference.co.uk or secure your ticket here.
All the training course listed below and more can be found on www.cosmetictraining.co.uk
Dates throughout 2023 |Liverpool
This course is taught by Dr Jaya Rao, an affiliate member of BAHRS and highly skilled aesthetic doctor who has personal experience of PRP treatments having undergone scalp injections herself to combat hair loss. This course is worth 10 CPD hours.
This new, accredited Level 4 Laser / IPL training from Cutera has been designed for busy practitioners who wish to speed up the learning process, without compromise. In just two days, delegates receive an intensive educational programme, enabling successful examination and Level 4 certification.
LASER HAIR REMOVAL
In the Laser and IPL hair removal unit, this training will cover skills to analyse the hair and skin type, identify treatment contradictions, risks and formulate a specific course of treatment plan to suit individual client needs.
Shutterstock/Africa Studio
A conference dedicated to regenerative aesthetics, with particular focus on polynucleotides, will take place on November 4th at the prestigious Nobu Hotel in London.
The Regenerative Aesthetic Medicine Conference and Exhibition (RAMCE) will bring together leading experts and innovators in the field, giving aesthetic professionals the opportunity to discover cutting-edge techniques that are shaping the future of aesthetic medicine.
The speaker line-up includes renowned professionals that include Mr Dalvi Humzah, Dr David Eccleston, Mr Ali Ghanem and Mr George Christopoulos. Topics explored will include skin priming, combination approaches, introducing regenerative aesthetics to your patients and the future of this exciting specialty.
There will also be an exhibition, where delegates can meet and learn from the UK’s top aesthetic manufacturers and suppliers. Companies attending will include Rosmetics, InMode, Aesthetic Medical Partners and of course DermaFocus.
With the aim of advancing knowledge and understanding of regenerative aesthetics and polynucleotides, RAMCE was created by distribution and training company DermaFocus. Executive director Milad Bemana said, “As the demand for regenerative procedures continues to grow, RAMCE offers a unique opportunity to delve into the latest breakthroughs that are shaping the future of aesthetic medicine. Our distinguished line-up of speakers will present their invaluable insight, research findings and real-world experiences at this must-attend event.”
Consultant plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon Mr Dalvi Humzah, who will be leading education at the event, added, “It’s an honour to be part of the UK’s first event dedicated to regenerative treatments. I’ve been using a range of products for some time now and can see what a huge impact they have on patients’ skin quality and satisfaction. It’s great to see more clinical research emerging and other practitioners demonstrating the multiple uses of different treatments that produce impressive results. RAMCE is the place to be if you want to be at the forefront of aesthetic and regenerative practice in 2024!”
Shutterstock/BigBlueStudio
By uniting the brightest minds in regenerative aesthetic medicine to deliver impactful presentations, interactive workshops and engaging discussions, RAMCE will create an atmosphere of inspiration, learning and professional growth.
RAMCE was created by DermaFocus, regarded as the ‘Home of Polynucleotides’. We are dedicated to empowering aesthetic practitioners to embrace regenerative treatments that enhance natural beauty, and seamlessly integrate them into their clinic offering. We believe in the power of science, research and cutting-edge technology to truly enrich the lives of both patients and professionals.
Tickets cost just £150 and those interested in attending can book here: https://www.ramce.co.uk/event/ regenerative-aesthetics-medicineconference-and-exhibition-20233/register
14th - 15th September 2023, at The Eastside Rooms, Birmingham
Showcasing the best in aesthetic nursing, expert lectures and demonstrations, as well fantastic networking opportunities with medical professionals who are all members of the BACN. For more information, please visit https://www.bacn.org.uk/
30th September 2023, at Church House, Westminster. World expert speakers and quality scientific and educational presentations as well as an oppotunity to connect with your peers whilst learning and keeping up to date with the latest innovations. BCAM Members enjoy special delegate rates.
For more information, please visit https://bcamconference.co.uk/
24th - 25th September, at Manchester Central, Manchester
Two fantastic days of knowledge, networking and inspiration at the event that keeps you at the for forefront of your industry.
For more information, please visit https://aestheticmed.co.uk/
19th -20th October 2023, at ExCeL, London
Delivering free CPD-certified conferences covering both surgical and non-surgical procedures, as well as addressing current topics throughout a business focused agenda. For more information, please visit https://www.ccrlondon.com/ DO
