News and analysis

BCAM supports members’ mental health

In recognition of its 20th anniversary, The British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) is to launch a mindfulness wellbeing initiative for its members. Designed to support members’ mental wellbeing throughout the pandemic, the College is working with The Mindfulness Initiative, the world’s first mindfulness policy institute that advises global legislators on how to incorporate mindfulness into public policy.

The Mindfulness Initiative is linked to the government’s All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Mindfulness. To mark the launch of the BCAM initiative, APPG deputy director Ruth Ormston delivered a webinar via Zoom for BCAM members on 5 March. The session explored the benefits of mindfulness and offered tips on incorporating tools for increased mental wellbeing into day-to-day life.

As part of the initiative BCAMwill provide ongoing support to its members, uploading content to the members’ area on its website and signposting useful resources and tips from fellow members. BCAM trustee Dr Bhavjit Kaur is leading on the new initiative on behalf of the College. She said: “It’s been a tough time for everyone since the first lockdown last March. Many of our members have returned to the NHS frontline or are facing issues with their businesses or personal lives.

“BCAM recognises the need to support members in many different ways and I am passionate about wellbeing and mindfulness so I wanted to provide some practical help that members can easily access.

“As healthcare professionals, we always want to understand the science behind everything so being able to offer members a session with the world’s leading mindfulness organisation will provide a fantastic springboard for members to further explore for themselves.”

Study looks at characteristics of patients seeking and proceeding with non-surgical facial procedures

A paper that aimed to identify clinical and demographic characteristics of Caucasian and Asian patients who have nonsurgical treatments found some notable differences between the ethnic groups. The paper identified predictors for patients’ readiness to receive non-surgical facial aesthetic treatments to help inform clinicians’ understanding of patient goals and expectations.

Researchers used data from electronic patient health records and examined clinical and demographic characteristics of 624 Asian and Caucasian patients in Singapore who sought treatment in a 12-month period and who had minimum follow-up of one year. Variables examined included age, race/ ethnicity, gender, prior treatment, and attitudes and motivation for seeking treatment. Univariate and multivariate analyses of factors associated with proceeding with the treatment plan were evaluated using chi-square and logistic regression analyses.

The study found that approximately 88% of patients who sought consultation proceeded with treatment. The majority were older than 40 years of age, were female and received prior treatments. Though there were slightly more Caucasians than Chinese patients, the racial distribution allowed the identification of differences between the two groups. Chinese patients were younger and more likely to seek correction or more obvious changes compared to Caucasian patients. On multivariate analyses, powerful predictors for proceeding with treatment included rejuvenation rather than correction as the clinical outcome goal (rejuvenation was highly preferred to correction), an expectation of an immediate result, and prior aesthetic treatments.

Treatment demand at a high across the board, reports The Private Clinic

Almost a third of Britons under the age of 35 would consider having anti-wrinkle injections, found consumer research commissioned by The Private Clinic and The Cosmetic Skin Clinic. The survey was conducted to find out how consumer attitudes to cosmetic treatments had changed as a result of the pandemic. 50% of those surveyed said they had already had or would be prepared to have surgery or a non-invasive treatment to improve their appearance.

One in five claimed that seeing themselves during an online call had convinced them to consider toxin or filler injections; reflected in the 160% spike year on year in the number of bookings for nonsurgical procedures that The Private Clinic saw at the end of the first lockdown in 2020. The clinic also reported a three-month waitlist for breast surgery as of 1 February 2021.

A third of respondents also said they would try a skin-rejuvenation treatment like microneedling or radiofrequency, while a further 32% said they would have a skin-tightening treatment on their face or body; and a quarter of women asked would consider fillers in their lips, jawline or cheeks. 44% said they would have laser hair removal and 31% would have liposuction.

Valentina Petrone, group managing director for The Private Clinic, said: “Our research clearly shows that consumers are wanting cosmetic procedures in greater quantities than previously seen. This is a trend we have seen for some years now, as people invest more in self-care and self-improvement, to boost confidence and their overall wellbeing. The pandemic doesn’t seem to have changed that – quite the opposite, we have seen a surge in demand.

“It is also reassuring to read that the main motivator for people is wanting to preserve their looks as opposed to wanting to transform themselves.”

85% of private-practice plastic surgeons received no government support during pandemic

The Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery has published the results of a survey analysing the social and economic impact of covid-19 on the private practices of plastic surgeons around the globe. A 30-question anonymous questionnaire was sent to boardcertified plastic surgeons around the world. A total of 205 out of 300 surgeons (69%) across 34 different countries replied.

In response to global lockdowns, 72% of surgeons said they were able to offer telemedicine, but raised concerns over patient privacy on video calls, potentially leaving them exposed to legal action. When asked if they believe that covid-19 caused a global economic problem, 98% said, “yes”.

Most plastic surgeons decided to keep their staff on their original salaries (73%) even when most of them (85%) received no support from their government. Only 24% had a family member who could provide economic and only 6% of participants’ insurance covered their lack of income during the pandemic.

At the time of the survey, 1% of the participants had contracted covid-19 and one of them suffered a serious clinical condition. Only 4% indicated that they have treated covid-19 positive patients, and only four of them knew that the patient was infected before being in contact with them. The authors concluded that this “new normality” will change the reality of plastic surgery practice forever but that surgeons have a chance to evolve to a more flexible and digitalised healthcare, reducing costs and improving services to patients.

Medik8 gets investment to expand through international expansion

Cosmeceutical skincare brand Medik8 has received investment from a private equity company in order to expand the business. Mid-market private equity company Inflexion has invested an undisclosed amount in Pangaea Laboratories, Medik8’s parent company. In recent years Medik8 has turned its focus to sustainability and ethical manufacturing, alongside continuing its science-based research and development of skincare products and enhancing its relationships with the professional beauty and aesthetic industries. Recent product launches include Sleep Glycolic and Crystal Retinal 20.

“Medik8’s science-based approach to skincare combined with its sustainability credentials make it an incredibly impressive business. We look forward to working closely with the whole team to scale the business further through enhancing their digital routes to market, and by supporting their continued innovation, new product launches and international expansion,” said Simon Turner, managing partner of Inflexion. Medik8 founder Elliot Issacs commented: “In the last three years, the brand has experienced phenomenal growth as the skincare consumer has become more knowledgeable and moved towards science and ingredients. We are thrilled to be partnering with Inflexion who have the passion and expertise to help us accelerate the brand’s international ambitions... we could not be more excited about the future.”

Almost 80% of people with eczema miss work due to flare-ups

New data has revealed the emotional impact skin conditions have on people’s mental health, with 79% of eczema sufferers missing work due to flare-ups and 46% of acne patients more likely to develop major depression. The review, conducted by skincare brand La Roche-Posay in collaboration with GlobalSkin, a non-profit organisation comprised of skin patient associations from around the world, also found that 47% to 60% of people with eczema have sleepless nights and 50% of those with atopic dermatitis feel stigmatised by society.

Meanwhile, 50% of acne sufferers will self-isolate and 80% of patients suffer from skin side effects during cancer treatments. “Whether big or small, skin issues are a matter of public health today,” said Laetita Toupet, global president at La Roche-Posay. “We tend to underestimate the impact they can have on people’s lives.”

La Roche-Posay is raising awareness about the impact of skin issues around the world with a new video campaign featuring real people, giving a voice to those who suffer from skin conditions while also amplifying that they are not alone.

Toupet added: “Today, we’re going a step further with a new campaign to raise awareness and show the life-changing power of dermatology”. 1.9 billion people around the world are currently fighting skin conditions which alter the quality of their daily lives, states the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD).

Five-point scale aids evaluation of ageing female skin

The Scientific Assessment Scale of Skin Quality represents an innovative universal and reliable measurement instrument for a valid and reproducible evaluation of the parameters of aged female facial skin quality, according to a study published in The Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. The objective of the study was to develop and validate a visual five-point photonumeric scale, based on six specific and two general parameters that measure skin elasticity, wrinkles, age, pigmentation, erythema, pore size, skin surface roughness and overall skin quality. 50 standardised photos were rated by 13 experts and the examination was carried out in two cycles with an interval of four weeks. These data, published in March 2021, showed both good and excellent results in terms of inter-and intra-rater reliability.

Review supports ability of collagen supplements to repair skin damage from changes that occur over life stages

Supplement brand Minerva Research Labs has had its 11th publication featured in a special Issue of The Journal of Plastic and Aesthetic Research. The paper, entitled Skin collagen through the life stages: importance for skin health and beauty, reviewed collagen reporting on the changes that occur over life stages and explored the mechanisms that lead to loss of collagen and strategies to repair the damage.

“In recent times, research on the mechanisms which impact the production of collagen has provided new insights into how this bio-scaffold can support cells, tissues and organs”, said David Reilly, head of research and development at Minerva Research Labs. “The factors which influence collagen production over a lifetime (e.g. puberty, pregnancy, menopause and andropause), intrinsic (e.g. genetics, age, ethnicity) and extrinsic factors (e.g. UV-radiation, pollution and smoking) are now better understood.

“This has led to many potential new technologies and ingredients to restore collagen and matrix components to their optimal condition and is improving our ability to deliver anti-ageing strategies with unprecedented results. This paper has reviewed skin collagen production, structure and function throughout the life stages, emphasising its relationship with health, appearance and beauty with collagen”.

Majority of women forgo body care

76% of UK women place more importance on their facial skincare regime than their body care routine, with 29% admitting to not knowing how to look after their skin from the chin down, found a study by women’s razor brand Venus. Almost a fifth (17%) spend more than 30 minutes per week on their facial skincare routine compared to 41% who said that they spend less than five minutes looking after their legs, the report found. Meanwhile, only 45% spend less than five minutes on their arms.

In terms of purchasing, more than a quarter (28%) spend at least £20 per month on beauty products for their face, compared to just 7% who would spend the same amount on skincare for their legs. “I see first-hand just how often people disregard the skin on their bodies and routinely forget to nourish the skin from the chin downwards,” said Dr Ewoma Ukeleghe, Venus ambassador and cosmetic and medical doctor. “While most of us will think nothing of spending most of our time and money on our facial skin; our bodily skincare routine rarely extends beyond some hastily applied body cream and a cursory shave in the shower.”

The study asked 2,000 women about their skincare and shaving habits and was carried out by OnePoll.