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Hot off the press
Most popular aesthetic treatments of 2022 revealed
A new study by beauty retailer Justmylook has identified the most popular aesthetic and beauty treatments in the UK for 2022. It comes as online searches for the term “aesthetic treatments” have risen by 54% in the past year, showcasing increased demand that experts say is at least partially due to social media and digital filter use. Monthly online search volumes (MSV) for the most popular aesthetic treatments were analysed to quantify the demand for them in the UK. The retailer used Keywordtool.io to source the relevant data.
Lip filler and botulinum toxin were found to be the joint most popular aesthetic treatments, with both receiving 40,500 online searches each month in the UK in 2022.
Experts suggest that social media platforms such as TikTok have continued to raise demand for lip filler treatments globally, with over 3.3 billion views of #lipfiller on the platform, according to Exolyt data.
Buccal fat removal came in third place with 18,100 MSV; this procedure focusing on facial contouring by removing fat from the cheeks, has recently gone viral as celebrities showcase their treatment results. Its rise so quickly to third place further emphasises the power of digital platforms such as TikTok.
The treatments making up the top 10 were chemical peel (14,800 MSV), cheek filler (9,900 MSV), Morpheus8 (9,900 MSV), undereye filler (9,900 MSV), chin filler (6,600 MSV), vampire facial (6,600 MSV) and derma roller (4,400 MSV).
Professionals urged to review Level 5 Aesthetic Practitioner Skin Rejuvenation standard
The draft Level 5 Aesthetic Practitioner Skin Rejuvenation standard is now available for review as part of the Government’s apprenticeship reforms. To ensure the standards reflect industry practice once they’re finalised, the Beauty Professional Trailblazer Steering Group is urging aesthetic and beauty professionals to participate in the process and have their say.
The Level 5 standard was drawn up by the group, consisting of employers, training providers, and awarding organisations, following Institute of Apprenticeship and Technical Education quality guidelines.
The standard has been designed to provide a progression step up from the Level 3 apprenticeship standards and provide aspirational targets for apprentices who are keen to progress in their careers.
The Beauty Professional Apprenticeship Trailblazer Steering Group members commenred: “The Level 5 Aesthetic Practitioner standard for Skin Rejuvenation apprenticeship will provide apprentices with the right knowledge, skills and behaviours to competently work within the aesthetics sector and will set a great foundation for continual professional development and progression.”
The draft Level 5 Aesthetic Practitioner Skin Rejuvenation standard can be downloaded at dropbox.com/s/kjbmjwoba33xxyk/AP%20Standard%20140323.pdf?dl=0
Please ensure you have read the draft standard before completing the survey.
You can have your say by completing the survey at surveymonkey.co.uk/r/APSR_1122
BAAPS audit shows 102% rise in cosmetic surgery procedures in 2022
The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) has released its annual audit.
The research revealed that there has been a boom in cosmetic surgery procedures, with a rise of 102% between 2021 and 2022. A total of 31,057 procedures took place in 2022, up from 15,405 in 2021.
Cosmetic surgery figures were expected to rise post-pandemic due to delayed demand. However, the numbers are higher than even prepandemic. 2022 saw the highest annual rise in procedures since the audit began in 2004. It’s also the first triple-digit rise ever recorded.
The audit also revealed, perhaps unsurprisingly, that women made up most cosmetic procedures in 2022.
“The BAAPS audit shows that 93% of the procedures were in women,” revealed award-winning plastic surgeon Miss Sujatha Tadiparthi, an increase of 101% from 2021. “This is not surprising as women are now very much empowered, financially independent and have higher expectations of both their lives and their bodies.”
Men made up 7% of all cosmetic surgery procedures, an even bigger rise (compared to women) of 118% from 2021.
The reasons behind the boom in cosmetic procedures are likely to be multifaceted, although experts suggest that social media has played an integral role in raising awareness about certain procedures.
Alongside social media popularity, the way our lives shifted during and immediately after the pandemic has had an incredible impact on how cosmetic surgery is viewed. Moreover, there’s a growing understanding that the right cosmetic procedure, under the right circumstances, can have a positive impact on well-being. As popularity continues to increase, experts agree that safety must remain the number one priority.
New global study reveals 97% of women believe they are judged for how they look
A survey of over 10,000 female-identifying women aged over18 has revealed global attitudes to the judgement women face over their appearance. The research was conducted in urban and suburban areas across the UK, Germany, Spain, Mexico, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
Of the women surveyed, 97% believed they were judged for how they look, with a majority (61%) also receiving abuse or negative comments in person or online. Interestingly, abuse and appearance-based commentary were lowest for the women surveyed in the UK (48%), while the highest levels were reported in Mexico (68%).
The disappointing findings were juxtaposed, however, by the empowering suggestion that women are still passionate about their appearance autonomy: 88% of those surveyed said that they believed women should be free from social judgement, and 90% stated that they should be able to do whatever they want with their appearance.
Moreover, 75% of the women surveyed also believed they “are powerful”, and these rates were highest in the countries where women reported facing the most negative judgement for their appearance.
Women in Mexico (91%) and the Middle East (82%) were the most likely to consider themselves powerful, and women in the UK (51%) were the least.
Global aesthetic company Sinclair conducted the survey to garner insights for its MaiLi premium hyaluronic acid fillers brand. The data has supported the launch of MaiLi’s new ‘My Power’ campaign, which says “no to judgement” in support of women everywhere. It is designed to represent a rallying cry for women to own their power and for naysayers to keep their judgement to themselves.
To read the full study and discover more about the campaign, go to sinclair.com/news/
Dental practice sued for fake reviews
Trustpilot has successfully sued two companies for posting fake reviews on its platform. Dental practice The Dental Experts was found to have posted 2,000 fake reviews since May 2020, 58% of the company’s total. The reviews contained flattering and misleading information from pretend customers.
Following a court ruling, the practice has been barred from submitting reviews on Trustpilot. Its page contains a warning banner about fake commentary, and its average ‘trust score’ has been hidden from view. The company has been ordered to pay yet-specified damages and legal costs and has consequently started insolvency proceedings.
This ruling has demonstrated the significant consequences that fake reviews could have on the future of aesthetic businesses, with those found guilty facing investigation from their regulator and losing their right to practice.
“Regulated health professionals such as dentists, doctors and nurses are all subject to professional conduct rules relating to advertising and personal integrity,” Keystone Law healthcare litigation partnerTracy Sell-Peters commented. “Any regulated healthcare professional who allows fake reviews to be posted on review services (Trustpilot, Google reviews, RealSelf for aesthetic procedures) is at risk of being investigated by their regulator for dishonesty and having their right to practise limited or removed.”
French influencers could be banned from promoting cosmetic surgery
The French Government is considering a bill which, if passed, would ban social media influencers from promoting cosmetic surgery as part of paid partnerships. It would also make it mandatory for content creators to clearly label filtered and doctored images, or they could be handed harsh penalties.
The move is designed to help tackle a self-esteem crisis, especially in young people, that is perceived to stem partly from misleading imagery on social media. French influencers could face up to two years in jail if they do not comply with the proposed rule changes.
Discussions about the bill started within the French government in late March 2023. According to Women’s Wear Daily, the country’s finance minister Bruno Le Marie said the restrictions would “limit the destructive psychological effects of these practices on Internauts’ esteem” and that there would be a “zero-tolerance approach” to anyone who ignores the rules.
Le Marie also told the French public broadcasting service Franceinfo that “influencers must be subject to the same rules as those that apply to traditional media” and stressed that the internet “is not the Wild West” According to the bill, breaches of the new law would not only include jail time of up to two years; influencers that are found guilty would also face a €30,000 fine (£26,312) and be unable to continue using social media to advance their careers.
Study reveals dermal fillers generate most complaints
Government-approved register of accredited practitioners, Save Face, has disclosed which aesthetic treatments received the highest number of complaints in 2022.
Dermal fillers were the aesthetic treatment which accumulated the most complaints last year. Of the 2,824 complaints studied, 1,948 were about dermal fillers, with 67% (around 1,300) regarding lip fillers and 12% about cheeks. Patients are also taking to TikTok to spread the word, as #lipfillergonewrong has 91.3 million views across 820 videos.
The second most complained about aesthetic treatment in the UK is botulinum toxin treatments, with 677 (24%) complaints. Almost nine in 10 complainants didn’t know that botulinum toxin is a prescription-only drug before undergoing treatment, and over 20% of cases are believed to have been given using unlicensed/counterfeit botulinum toxin.
Thread lifts were the third most complained-about treatment, with 118 received.
89% of clients filing complaints found their practitioner on social media, and 84% claimed to have been ignored or blocked by their practitioner when they tried to seek help. When these clients took the matter of solving these beauty crises into their own hands, only 8% of the 34%, who turned to the NHS for assistance received treatment, with 6% of cases being misdiagnosed as infections.
Each month 1,890 online searches are made in the UK about micro-needling going wrong, making it the sixth most complained-about treatment in the UK.
NEWS IN BRIEF
The BAHRS to host annual conference for 2023
The British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery is to hold its annual conference for 2023 on June 13 at The Diamond Building in Sheffield. With the title ‘Challenges and Solutions in Hair Restoration Surgery’, the annual conference will tie in with the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) Europe Live Surgery Workshop and the European Hair Research Society meeting. For more information and to register, go to: bahrs.co.uk/bahrsevent-list/bahrs-2023-annualconference/.
Alma announces launch of new subsidiary in UK and Ireland
Energy-based medical and aesthetics solutions company Alma has announced the establishment of a direct-to-market team in the UK and Ireland. The new team will provide aesthetic practitioners with cutting-edge technology and an enhanced direct customer experience. Alma took over the distribution of sales and customer services from ABC Lasers on April 1.
Cutera University Clinical Forum returns for 2023
Cutera UK’s clinical forum will return on September 9 to a new venue: Hilton London. With a focus on the treatment of active acne using Cutera’s new and revolutionary 1726 nm AviClear platform, the clinical forum will feature a range of highcalibre guest speakers from the United States. Find out more and book your place at cucf.co.uk.
Celebrities debate the effect of breastfeeding on breasts
The conversation around postbreastfeeding surgery has been opened following actress Helen Flanagan’s Instagram posts about breast augmentation. She says the procedure boosted her confidence after she felt her breasts sagged post-breastfeeding her three kids. Research suggests that breastfeeding alone is unlikely to cause breast sagging, but changes during pregnancy and ageing can change breast appearance.
Healthxchange introduces Jan Marini Skin Research
Medical professionals within the aesthetic industry are now able to access the award-winning skincare brand Jan Marini Skin Research (JMSR) through Healthxchange Group. The products have been made available on the Healthxchange e-pharmacy.
Concerns raised about the effects of vaping on skin health
On top of the negative effects vaping could have on the lungs, general health and wellbeing, there is now increasing concern that vaping is detrimental to skin health and appearance. “The chemicals in e-cigarettes can lead to a decrease in collagen production, which can result in premature ageing such as wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin,” said nurse Emma Wedgwood. “Vaping may cause inflammation too, which can lead to skin irritation, redness, and sensitivity.”
Nasal Muscle Imbalance Theory proposes new botulinum toxin use in septorhinoplasty
A new study published in Facial Plastic Surgery has proposed that botulinum toxin can be used alongside septorhinoplasty procedures to correct a crooked nose. The Nasal Muscle Imbalance Theory (NMIT) suggests that the septum is liable to deviate back to a pre-operative position following septorhinoplasty, as long-standing muscle imbalance could still pull the nose back into a crooked position through muscle contractions. “We believe that postseptorhinoplasty botulinum toxin (PSB) injections can be used as an adjunct in rhinoplasty surgery to effectively block the pulling actions of the stronger or over-acting nasal muscles by speeding up the atrophy process while allowing patients’ noses to heal and stabilise in the desired position,” the researchers said while acknowledging that further research is necessary to substantiate the hypothesis.
Nine out of 10 young adults are anxious about losing their hair
New research from leading hair loss centre Harley Street Hair Clinic has found that there is rising anxiety about hair loss, especially among young adults and women, before individuals even start to exhibit symptoms.
Conducted in partnership with the research company Mortar, the survey polled 2017 adults in the UK between February 21 and 27, 2023. The research found that younger adults were particularly anxious about potential hair loss, including the possibility of their hairline receding, thinning or balding. Nine out of 10 young adults were worried about losing their hair, with hair loss reportedly also triggering anxiety and contributing to depression amongst 18–24-year-olds.
In total, three-quarters (76%) of the men and women surveyed who reported having a good head of hair were worried about losing it, with eight out of 10 women (82%) expressing concern about hair loss specifically. Moreover, nearly a third (30%) of those asked had started worrying about losing their hair from a very young age, in their teens or early twenties.
The study also suggests that hair loss could be on the rise. Three-quarters of men (73%) and nearly two-thirds of women (61%) in the UK reported that they were experiencing some sort of hair loss. Two-thirds (66%) of 18-24 year olds across the genders reported symptoms too.
Lumenis welcomes new UK team members
Lumenis has appointed two new members of the UK team – Lumenis UK customer services manager Sharon Shire and Lumenis London and Southeast sales manager Gigi Tilavi. Shire has more than a decade of experience in customer-facing roles for global organisations, and Tilavi has worked within the skincare and beauty industry for around five years. “Sharon and Gigi join Lumenis at an exciting period of growth for our UK business, and their appointments illustrate the ongoing investment Lumenis is making to its UK customers,” said Lumenis UK country manager Andrew Greenwell. “Their skills and experience will be integral to our growth, and we are delighted to have them on board with us.”
ASA launches new influencer marketing guide
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has released a new best practice document designed to provide advice to ‘influencers’ about advertising on social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. While written from an influencer’s perspective, the guidelines also provide useful advice to anyone who uses influencer marketing to advertise products and services, including in the aesthetics industry. The UK advertising regulator is responsible for ensuring that adverts across the UK media stick to advertising rules, including on social media platforms, where declarations around advertising are required for paid partnerships and gifted treatments and products. To read the guidelines in full, visit asa.org.uk/influencers.