What is Medical Aesthetics?
Medical aesthetics refers to medical specialty that focuses on enhancing one’s appearance through minimally-invasive procedures and treatments. These procedures aim to smoothen wrinkles, plump lips and cheeks, diminish scars and blemishes, tighten skin, and augment certain facial features through injections and minimally invasive techniques. The global medical aesthetics market has witnessed tremendous growth over the past decade, driven by the increasing desire for beauty among people of all ages.
Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation Procedures
One of the most popular non-surgical procedures is dermal filler injections. Dermal fillers like hyaluronic acid are injected into areas of the face and body to add volume and fullness. Common areas treated include cheeks, lips, tear troughs, and the nose-to-mouth lines. Fillers can temporarily reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Another non-surgical option is neurotoxins or botulinum toxin injections, commonly known by the brand name Botox. These block signals from nerves to muscles, temporarily paralysing muscles and reducing facial wrinkles caused by recurring muscle contractions. The effects last 3-6 months. Botox is frequently used to treat frown lines, forehead creases and crow’s feet.
Skin needling or collagen induction therapy uses tiny needles to puncture the skin and stimulate collagen production. This helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, acne scars, stretch marks and large pores over time. Microneedling treatments involve minimal pain or downtime. A local numbing cream may be used.
Non-Invasive Body Contouring
Non-invasive body contouring procedures aim to reduce fat and improve skin tightening without surgery. One popular procedure is truSculpt, a high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) treatment that stimulates muscle contractions to break down fat cells and build muscle tone. It targets common problem areas like the abdominals, hips, thighs, buttocks and arms.
CoolSculpting is another FDA-cleared solution for non-invasive fat reduction. It uses controlled cooling to safely target and eliminate fat cells under the skin. No surgery or downtime is required. Results seen after 1-2 months. CoolTone is similar technology that also builds muscle tone in treated areas.
Laser skin treatments are another non-invasive body contouring option. Cellulite reduction laser treatments like truSculpt flex, for example, break up the fat cells and stimulate collagen production for smoother skin. It works on back of arms, beneath buttocks, abdomen and thighs. Fractional laser resurfacing rejuvenates aging skin by treating sun damage and reducing signs of aging.
Surgical Facial Enhancement Procedures
While more involved than non-surgical procedures, surgical options can produce highly noticeable, long-lasting results. For example, a facelift surgically tightens loose facial and neck skin through incisions made inside the ears or hairline. The skin is redraped and excess removed. Liposuction sculpts specific areas like the chin, cheeks or neck by suctioning out excess fat.
Rhinoplasty reshapes and improves the proportions of the nose. A chin augmentation adds projection and fullness to a recessed chin using implants. While recovery takes weeks, these procedures can dramatically change one’s facial aesthetics. Blepharoplasty lifts drooping eyelid skin and removes excess fat pads to rejuvenate tired eyes. Browlifts reduce bulging forehead skin and wrinkles above the brows.
Looking Ahead – Emerging Medical Aesthetic Technologies
Medical aesthetics continues to evolve rapidly. New injectable treatments hit the market regularly, promising longer-lasting or more subtle results compared to existing fillers or toxins. Emerging areas involve specialist injectables to plump specific areas like themarionette lines or enhance jowls.
More advanced laser and energy-based skin treatments use broadband light, radiofrequency or ultrasound to stimulate deeper collagen renewal. Combined treatments fuse technologies – adding microneedling to light therapies, for example. New body contouring gadgets tighten multiple areas simultaneously. Technology is also enabling at-home treatments through microneedling rollers or laser handsets.
For more details on the lucrative outlook of the medical aesthetics market, especially post Covid, refer the market research report published by Coherent Market Insights. As social pressures on physical appearance continue growing, so will demand for medical aesthetics. While the goal today remains minimally-invasive enhancement, the future promises more customised, natural-looking solutions through ever more sophisticated technologies and procedures. Medical aesthetics remains a highly dynamic sector focused on helping individuals achieve their appearance goals through science-driven yet compassionate practice.
