Why I hate ‘Trending’ aesthetic treatments.
Every year there seems to be a new ‘trending’ treatment, boosted by “influencers” and Instagram models. If you lurk like me, you would have noticed trends for tear trough fillers, liquid rhinoplasty and more recently the ‘fox eye’ thread treatment.
My colleagues in aesthetics and I experience high demand for these treatments which then seem to wane off when the realities of the treatments come to light, or the next trend enters the arena. Indeed, you will see some clinics really focusing their advertising on pushing the sale of trending treatments.
Whilst there is nothing really wrong with these treatments (indeed in the right hands they can be very successful), the high demand means that people with limited experience or expertise treat a lot of patients who are not appropriate candidates, or the practitioners just don’t have the skills to carry out procedures well.
In every ethical clinic we first consider if the patient is the right candidate. We then consider if the treatment is the right treatment to achieve what we want. Then we need to pick the correct products. I also consider ‘is it worth it?’. Is the potential improvement worth the risks if something going wrong? Does the longevity of the effect justify the financial cost of the treatment? Is there another cosmetic or surgical treatment that would be better?
I personally like to watch and wait when new trends make it to Instagram. I like to listen to clinician’s experiences and read case studies. I then observe the emergence of adverse events and undesirable results relating to these treatments.
For example, many people will not see a significant improvement with tear trough fillers. Too often patients are left with swelling under the eye that stays for the entirety of the fillers life. There is only one product in the UK that is licenced for tear troughs, so many practitioners substitute with what they have got. Complex structures around the eye means that it is all to easy to place the fillers in the wrong space unless you are guided by ultrasound.
And don’t get me started on the risk of vascular occlusion with non-surgical rhinoplasty. Yes, it is a great treatment done well, but demand amongst my patient group is low and it is not something I wish to be pushing towards a younger audience when saving for surgical rhinoplasty may be better.
Similarly, the fox eye trend is commonly marketed to younger patients, but I fear that the scar tissue created in the delicate periocular area Vs the length of efficacy and reports of dissatisfaction amongst patients means the risk far outweigh the benefits. Indeed, a surgical eye lift may be much better for patients who may benefit.
Fortunately, some new trends veer towards the natural appearance and skincare is becoming more popular and effective. By simply adding a good vitamin C serum, Retin A and SPF 50 to your daily routine you will help your skin to glow and protect it from the environment. Investing in peels and microneedling is also a great way to start resurfacing the skin and induce collagen production.
To round up this rambling blog, my purpose has never been to alter my patient’s appearance so that they fit in with current trends or look like a cast member of TOWIE. It has always been to rebalance, create facial harmony and rejuvenate the appearance of my patients so that they can have a moment to practice self-care and improve their confidence.
Disclaimer: This is my personal and professional opinion. If you are reading this and your aesthetic is the TOWIE look or you make people look like this, more power to you. You do YOU! These trends are just not for me or my patient group.
Helen x
