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IAPAM's 2022 Predictions for Aesthetic Medicine

Over the last decade, demand for aesthetic treatments has continued to grow as non-invasive treatments increase in popularity!

As treatments and technology have evolved to provide options for less or non-invasive treatments, more people are opting for these procedures now more than ever.

The past two to three years alone saw a massive surge in these procedures.

Top Aesthetic Trends for 2022

In 2022, non-invasive aesthetic procedures will continue to rise in popularity.

With more people spending time on video calls, taking selfies and having more people they know applying anti-aging treatments, men and women from all age groups are noticing their outward appearance more.

Whether noticeable or not, they want to make some changes!

In the past, plastic surgery was known to be highly popular. It was not only expensive, the recovery time was a lot longer.

Going under the knife could come with several days or even weeks of down time to recover! Not everyone is willing to make that kind of a sacrifice.

With more non-invasive procedures, down time in some cases is minimal – if not none at all! Some procedures can be done over the lunch hour or on their way home from work. It’s easy to keep looking their best and be discreet about how they’re doing it!

When it comes to non-invasive aesthetic trends in 2021, some of the top aesthetic treatments were Botox®, lip fillers, body sculpting, skin tightening, medical facial procedures like microneedling, and many others.

All of these treatments come at a lower cost as compared to their surgical alternatives. Plus, recovery time ranges from only a couple of days; in some cases only a few hours!

Saving people a lot of time and allowing them to return to their regular routines almost instantly!

Despite a small dip in demand in 2021 due to lockdowns during the pandemic, the industry is experiencing a lot of pent-up demand. Both invasive and non-invasive aesthetic procedures will continue to rise in popularity in 2022

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A Continuing Trend: Non-Invasive Aesthetic Procedures

Based on ‘The Aesthetic Society’ statistics, in 2020 people spent over $9.3 billion on these aesthetic procedures.

$3 billion was spent on non-invasive treatments and over $6 billion was spent on invasive treatments. In 2019, consumers spent $8.2 billion on aesthetic procedures, showing an increase of almost 80% in 2020.

There are several factors that contributed to this rise in demand and what is currently popular.

One factor is that people want to have a natural and healthy-looking appearance, therefore they believe that aesthetic medicine and regular health treatments are similar. 

People are looking to reduce their signs of aging and remain youthful for as long as they can.

Both women and men want a more natural-looking appearance as they get older, and more people are opting for these enhancements. 

Instead of going under the knife for a dramatic surgical procedure, people are now going for minor subtle changes when it comes to their trouble areas.

A couple of these procedures involve utilizing the patient’s body fat and using it in various places for enhancement purposes.

Another factor that has greatly impacted the popularity of these aesthetic procedures is social media.

People want to look their best on Facebook or Instagram (without filters!) but still want to attain the most natural look possible. 

If you’ve ever tried to take a selfie, you know how hard it is to attain perfect skin without help from makeup and other skin rejuvenation treatments that doesn’t need any edits before it gets posted!

People are paying attention to their looks now more than ever and are looking for the fastest and simplest ways to change their appearance.

As social media has crept into our world, the need for looking our absolute best in pictures and videos has increased as well.

This vastly consists of younger generations and their obsession with social media. This trend is showing no signs of slowing down. 

Social media also introduces major aesthetic medicine trends through celebrities, which influences the younger generation to make changes onto their own appearances.

Both in 2019 and 2020, facial rejuvenation was among the top aesthetic treatments, which is predicted to continue on to 2022 as well.

COVID-19 and the “ZOOM BOOM”

The COVID-19 pandemic completely changed how the world works. As ‘work from home’ became the new normal, people started noticing their appearance and looks during their Zoom meetings.

When clinics began re-opening later in the year, people rushed to make appointments and the demand for non-invasive procedures drastically increased.

A lot of the plastic surgeons and dermatologists attribute this sudden rise to something called the ‘Zoom boom.’ 

Patients spent hours endlessly staring at themselves on their computer video cameras during meetings and client calls.

The "Zoom Boom" played an integral role in the explosion in demand for non-invasive procedures over the last 12 months. Working from home and staring endlessly at their own faces during Zoom meetings, patients couldn't help but take notice of their fine lines and wrinkles, moles, uneven skin tones and other details they didn't like about their appearance.

Working from home also made it easier to take longer recovery times from procedures often without needing to take any time off from working.

As our economies and communities opened up and people headed back to work, other issues have come into play. For example, in many places, people have to wear a mask over their nose and mouth for extended periods of time.

With this practice in place at nearly all times in 2020, a condition called ‘maskne’ became a major concern for many people.

Maskne consisted of minor to harsh acne appearing all over a person’s face because of continuous mask coverage. 

It was the ideal environment for bacteria to grow because of the warmth and humidity under one’s mask.

This issue did not disappear in 2021 and will continue to be a struggle in 2022. 

The good news is, non-invasive facial treatments that help cleanse and rejuvenate the skin can help fight COVID-caused skin conditions. 

People who know this already are getting more treatments done and others are also learning this.

Yet another reason why facial treatments and procedures are on the rise

 

Projected Top Aesthetic Treatments and Trends to Look Out For In 2022

1. Botox® and Fillers

Female getting Botox injection

When it comes to changing one’s physical appearance, Botox® and dermal fillers are the most popular non-invasive procedures on the market in the past decade.

Our prediction is that this trend will continue to rise and be just as (if not more) popular in 2022 as well.

Treatments like Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin® or Juveau® are made up of neurotoxins. Neurotoxins are meant to relax the muscles once injected into the skin.

This helps with wrinkles, frown lines, crow’s feet, and various other facial lines and slows down their production.

On the other hand, dermal fillers, like Juvederm, are used to treat fine lines and wrinkles by adding volume to various trouble areas of a patient’s face such as the cheeks, jaws, and eyes. 

Also, fillers come in a wide variety based on texture, viscosity, firmness, and other different properties.

In the past, cosmetic procedures like these were not openly talked about. Getting Botox® was seen as a massive change on one’s face or body. Often people felt judged by their peers for changing their image.

Today is a different story. As more and more people have gotten even the most minor procedures done, the top aesthetic procedures have become common and every day.

People no longer judge each other for getting work done. It’s accepted and often encouraged.

More accessibility with more providers offering treatments and less downtown make them more attractive options, the recovery time is not long and only takes a couple of hours, making it easy to get them done.

Also, younger generations are embracing these treatments as their appearance has become their top priority, influenced mainly by social media and influencer culture.

Botox® and fillers are not taboo anymore and whatever stigma was attached to them has disappeared.

If you're a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant, you can get certified in Botox® & fillers from your home or office with the IAPAM Learning Lab!

Different Examples of Botox® and Filler Procedures

Cosmetic injectables help people all over the world with medical and aesthetic treatments. 

Lasting several months to several years, patients are seeking out treatments using botulinum toxins and fillers to treat everything from crows’ feet around the eyes to hollow cheeks, small chins and more!

Here are some examples of different Botox® and filler procedures:

  • Cheek Enhancement (Cheek Fillers)

Due to aging, the cheeks start to lose their volume and the upper face starts to look less plump. That is where cheek fillers come in. They are used to enhance the appearance of the cheeks. They help add more volume and the patient leaves the clinic with a fresh, plump face.

  • Lifted Brow Frames and Lateral Canthus

The eyes are considered as the window to one’s soul and the eyebrows are seen as crucial features that properly frame one’s face. Think about the different shapes people get for their eyebrows. People are always trying to shape precise and picturesque eyebrows. How they look matters greatly.

The skin around the eyes and under the eyebrows will lose volume as a person ages. That is where lifted brow frames and lateral canthus procedures come in.

The lifted brow frames procedure helps in instantly opening up the patient’s face. While lateral canthus, which is the outer corner of the eye, adds more youthfulness.

It naturally adds more volume and gives the eyes a younger appearance, while looking fresh.

A mixture of both Botox® and fillers are used in order to perform these procedures for that naturally fresh and open-eyed look.

  • Non-Invasive Facelift

In the past, changing the appearance of one’s entire face was done surgically and through a facelift. That required downtime for recovery and was a riskier procedure.

With non-invasive procedures, the amount of downtime required and the risks to the patient have lessened with the use of fillers. This is a significant contributing factor to their rise in popularity!

The recovery time is less and the patient comes out with a younger-looking, fresh face.

2. Non-Surgical Nose Job

The nose is a feature that defines a person’s face. Rhinoplasty was a commonly performed surgical procedure in the past. This was the typical procedure done whenever someone wanted to change the appearance of their nose.

aesthetic trends

In more recent years, a non-surgical nose job has become quite popular among people. In fact, according to statistics, this procedure is making its way to become a part of the top aesthetic treatments in the year 2022.

This procedure uses injectable fillers to reshape the nose. A patient achieves similar results to that of a traditional rhinoplasty, or nose job, but without the need of invasive surgery.

Fillers, such as Juvederm and hyaluronic acid, are used for this procedure. This treatment is ideal for people who are looking to create nostril symmetry or smooth out any bridge bumps.

However, this procedure does not give permanent results, so the patient would have to get this procedure done again. 

Also, people who want to decrease the size of their nose won’t really benefit from this specific treatment.

The recovery time of this procedure is about two weeks, as compared to the traditional nose job which takes around four to six weeks. 

It takes about fifteen minutes to complete a session and the patient can see instant results.

When it comes to the price, this non-surgical rhinoplasty is a lot cheaper as compared to its surgical alternative. It can cost a person anywhere from $600 to $1,500.

3. Facial Tightening

Proteins such as collagen and elastin are present within the skin that helps in giving the skin elasticity and structure. The older a person gets, the slower the production of these proteins become.

This results in the skin losing its elasticity. However, thanks to certain procedures, a person can restore the elasticity of their skin through collagen.

According to Google, the search for a ‘mini face lift’ increased by 160%. During the pandemic, there was a 70% increase in requests for a virtual consultation, according to BAAPS (British Association of Plastic Surgeons).

Getting the surgical procedure for a facelift is not only invasive, but can also be dangerous and requires a massive commitment from the patient both in time and cost.

Also, the regular facelift will become obsolete as people are focused on getting high-tech treatments that don’t really require going under the knife.

Laser skin tightening is a painless procedure that helps to enhance sagging skin by giving it new life. It helps to reduce fine lines and undo damage caused by the sun.

A targeted laser beam is used in order to heat soft tissue. This helps in jumpstarting the healing process of a patient’s body and the body starts producing more collagen. This results in tighter and firmer skin. 

The most common areas that can benefit from this laser skin tightening procedure are the arms, neck, eyes, abdomen, and jaw line.

Treatments, such as Thermage and Ultherapy, work wonders on one’s face by restoring the lost collagen back into the skin and help in turning back the clock. Listed below are more details regarding these treatments.

  • Thermage FLX

This treatment is ideal for people who are afraid of needles or invasive surgery. It costs anywhere from $2000 to $3000.

Through a small device, radiofrequency is used to heat up the skin, which activates the collagen production. This results in instant skin tightening.

As the months go by, this treatment ends up triggering the healing process within the patient’s skin and improves collagen deposits. This procedure is a great option for people who are looking to tighten the skin of their neck and the lower face, while also improving and toning their skin’s elasticity for a long period of time.

Plus, the results of this procedure last for a very long time.

  • Ultherapy

This procedure is ideal for tightening and toning a person’s skin. It also costs anywhere from $2000 to $3000. With the use of micro-focused ultrasound waves, Ultherapy helps in stimulating natural cell repair.

The ultrasound waves help to target the skin’s structural layers in order to enhance the production of collagen within a patient’s skin.

The final result consists of tightening, toning, and lifting of the patient’s skin, hence rejuvenating the facial features. The results are visible instantly and last for about three months after the treatment. However, with more improvements, the results could last for up to six months.

Another procedure that is gaining fame is body contouring that’s done to tighten and tone a person’s skin. This procedure is perfect for specific body parts, like the abdomen, underneath the chin, and the thighs.

It uses laser to heat up fat cells in order to shrink them away. Plus, this procedure requires no downtime and can be done quickly.

4. Chemical Peels and Body Chemical Peels

The skin is the largest organ of a person’s body and taking care of it is incredibly important. As time goes by, the structure of the skin changes. Chemical peels can help with this.

In the recent years, chemical peels for both the face and the body have become one of the top aesthetic treatments. This procedure is used to smooth out and improve the texture of one’s skin.

The main purpose of a chemical peel is to remove the skin’s outermost layer.

Chemical peels

By removing the top layer of the skin, the healthier skin that’s sitting underneath gets exposed. It also helps in improving scarring that is caused by acne.

Most of the time, people come in for treating their face with chemical peels, however, body chemical peels are also getting popular.

Chemical peels use heavy-duty chemical exfoliation in order to clear up a patient’s scars, work on uneven skin textures, remove dead skin, and help soften fine lines. Despite the regular use of sunscreen, a person’s skin can still get damaged.

One of the benefits of chemical peels is that this procedure helps in counteracting a lot of the natural wear and tear of the skin. The strong combination of specific type of chemicals helps in peeling off the skin in order to remove its top layer.

Through chemical peels, a person can reverse blotchy skin and hyperpigmentation that is caused by sun damage. It takes approximately three to four days for the skin to peel away and expose the healthier, younger skin underneath.

The colder season, such as fall, is actually the perfect time to get this procedure since the cooler temperature plus lower UV rays help with recovery.

When it comes to body chemical peels, the medical professional uses a stronger concoction of chemicals, since the skin of the body is not as delicate as compared to one’s face. The formula used is more powerful and it contains a higher concentration of active ingredients.

Body chemical peels help with sun spots, dryness, stretch marks, keratosis pilaris, and evening out the texture plus skin tone of a patient’s arms, legs, hands, chest, and back.

There is another great benefit that comes from this procedure, whether it is done on the face or the body. Removing the outer layer of the skin helps to better absorb skin products. Meaning, moisturizers, serums, and other skin products will have better penetration on the skin for maximum hydration.

When talking about the results, a person can see massive improvement in the texture of their skin after just one to two sessions. However, the skin of the face heals differently as compared to the skin of the body.

It might take longer to see results for certain skin concerns. For instance, in order to soften fine lines and even out the skin tone, it might take about six treatments that are spaced three weeks apart.

If a patient wants to clear up acne on their body, then it might take about six treatments that are spaced two weeks apart. 

Also, chemical peels can be done on the feet as well as it helps to remove buildup on the heels and give a smoother look.

People who are worried about acne caused by wearing a mask can greatly benefit from chemical peels. 

This procedure is perfect for ‘resetting’ the skin by carefully getting rid of the top layer in order to reveal much stronger and healthier looking skin underneath.

Chemical peels come in various versions and strengths, such as milder peels like the glycolic peel or stronger peels like the TCA peel.

When it comes to the cost of getting a chemical peel, this depends on various different factors related to the patient.

Firstly, the type of peel the patient needs and the time it will take for their treatment greatly contributes to its cost. 

Also, the cost will be based on the expertise and qualifications of the treating healthcare provider, the products used, and the desired results.

As a provider, you should discuss all of these things with your patient during your initial consultation

Did you know... chemical peels are one of the top 5 most profitable aesthetic treatments? Learn more about starting a profitable aesthetics practice at the Aesthetic Medicine Symposium in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona!

5. PDO Threads

PDO threads, also known as Polydioxanone threads, consist of a mechanical and non-surgical lift of the patient’s soft tissues such as the dermis, muscles, and fat pads through skin tightening and potent collagen stimulation.

There is almost no recovery period and it is a lot less invasive as compared to surgery, including being less risky.

In this procedure, temporary sutures are utilized in order to give the skin a subtle yet visible lift. This means that rather than surgically removing the loose facial skin of the patient, the healthcare provider will stitch up certain portions of it by suspending it.

As compared to a traditional facelift that involves going under the knife, this specific type of thread lift does not require the need of making incisions or the need for deep tissue manipulation. 

This process is a lot easier for the patient, since it just includes utilizing a filler-like substance as compared to getting an actual facelift surgery.

One of the major factors that impacts the popularity of this procedure is the fact that the recovery time is greatly reduced as opposed to getting a regular facelift that requires some serious downtime.

According to a study that was conducted in 2019, a patient can see immediate improvements after a PDO thread lift procedure in their sagging skin.

But, usually the results last for about six months and after a year the improvement is no longer apparent. Multiple sessions are needed to maintain the aftereffects of the PDO thread lift procedure.

People who are younger generally have results that tend to last for about three to four years. 

However, older people that have poor skin elasticity or volume will only see benefits from the PDO thread lift procedure for one to two years.

When it comes to the cost of the PDO thread lift procedure, this depends on several factors, like where a patient lives, how long the procedure will take, and the level of expertise of the performing surgeon. 

Generally, the cost can start from $500 and go over $5,000, depending on the factors mentioned here.

6. IV VItamin Therapy

Another trend that has been making waves in the top aesthetic treatments list is IV Vitamin Therapy. 

It is also known as IV nutritional therapy, IV therapy, Intravenous therapy, and IV nutrient therapy in some areas. 

This specific treatment comes with a wide variety of nutritional benefits.

With IV Vitamin Therapy, a patient can get an effective dose of essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. 

All of these nutrients are transferred through an IV drip directly into the bloodstream of the patient.

Through this method, the body is able to heal at a cellular level. 

As compared to ingesting supplements, IV therapy helps with faster absorption of the nutrients into the body.

Plus, the nutrients are supplied in a higher concentration. This specific treatment is said to help with serious health issues, improve overall health, and prevent illnesses from attacking the body.

Generally, supplements are known to get metabolized by the digestive system, which reduces the amount of nutrients that the body absorbs in the bloodstream. This is not an issue with IV vitamin therapy.

Through this method, the effectiveness of the treatment is greatly increased as the IV drip makes sure that all of the nutrients are properly absorbed by the patient’s body.

In IV vitamin therapy, the nutrients are directly delivered to the patient’s body cells that need them. These IV drips are known for enhancing the function of different body systems. By directly injecting the mixture of essential nutrients into the body, the patient experiences fast and effective results.

These treatments depend on the needs of the patient and therefore they are customized. This is discussed beforehand with a healthcare professional. How often a person wants to get these treatments depends on the person themselves.

These treatments are performed by a medical professional inside a clean practice.

The IAPAM's Medical Weight Management Online Certification includes training in IV Nutrition Therapy.

How Well Does IV Vitamin Therapy Work?

For several years, IV vitamin therapy was used to treat different medical issues. It helped with hydration and providing the patients with essential nutrients. 

This treatment was usually used for patients who were unable to consume solid food due to surgery, or if a patient was suffering from gut absorption issues, and so on.

The IV vitamin therapy that’s offered today is made up of a combination of pretty much all of the nutrients. 

So far there is no scientific evidence available to support this specific type of therapy and there are no clinical studies to show that this therapy is completely necessary to obtain great health.

However, there are patients who absolutely love IV vitamin therapy and swear by all of the benefits that come with it. 

Patients have claimed that this therapy helped them in improving the health of their body.

Also, patients who are dangerously deficient in certain type of nutrients can greatly benefit from a therapy like this because all of the nutrients are released directly into the bloodstream, which means they are absorbed quickly.

Another factor that contributed to the popularity of IV vitamin therapy is that celebrities from all over the world have shared their pictures and posts on social media, which shows them getting IV vitamin therapy.

Naturally, the general public then has to give it a try to see what all the hype is about. 

It is starting to reach a tipping point, making it one of our predictions for the top aesthetic treatments in 2022 and beyond.

7. Microneedling Combined With PRP

patient receiving microdermabrasion treatment

Microneedling procedures are used to reduce the signs of aging. 

A healthcare provider will use a specific type of roller or a device that has needles in order to prick the patient’s skin. 

This helps with stimulating new collagen production.

PRP, or Platelet-Rich Plasma, can be added to the microneedling session, whether it is topically or through an injection. 

It is known to potentially help with the healing process and reduce the time it will take for the redness to disappear and the swelling to go down that occurs after a microneedling session.

Combining PRP with a microneedling session is said to have a more improved result for patients who are getting treatment for acne scars. 

However, the evidence is still not conclusive and requires additional research.

The microneedling treatment is used to reduce skin issues such as wrinkles, age spots, scarring, stretch marks, and specific type of hyperpigmentation. 

By combining it with PRP, the patient can get their desired results much quicker, since it is known to boost the effects.

Even though microneedling is used to treat several skin-related issues on different areas of the body, it is the treatment of the face where the majority of the studies related to PRP are focused on. 

The term ‘Vampire Facial®’, (trademarked by designer-physician Charles Runels, MD Inventor of the O-Shot®, P-Shot®, & Vampire Facelift® & Vampire Breast Lift® Procedures), became popular in the past few years and it refers to when microneedling is combined with PRP, where the latter procedure is performed topically afterwards.

When it comes to this procedure, the majority of the patients are known to be the ideal candidates, with a couple of exceptions.

This treatment might not be suitable for individuals who are using Accutane for their acne, women who are pregnant, individuals still suffering from active acne and new scars, people who scar easily, individuals with skin conditions like facial rosacea or eczema, people who don’t heal quickly, and individuals who underwent some sort of skin radiation treatment within the last twelve months.

A medical professional is better able to determine if a person is the ideal candidate when it comes to microneedling combined with PRP.

The cost of a microneedling session depends on the location of the patient and the medical professional who performs the procedure. 

Generally, a microneedling treatment combined with a PRP session tends to cost around $750 for a single session.

As compared to this, a typical microneedling treatment for the face will cost around $300. When combined with a PRP session, the cost tends to go much higher.

When it comes to how long the results will last, this depends on the type of microneedling session a patient is getting.

A lot of the times, a patient requires multiple treatments in order to properly see full results.

The majority of the people who have had microneedling done had three to six sessions, with a gap of about four weeks between each session. 

The total cost of all of the treatments could be anywhere from $2,250 to $4,500.

Final Thoughts

Over the years, aesthetic medicine trends have risen to new heights as more people are taking notice and taking care of their outward appearance.

In the past, in order to change one’s look, people had to make drastic changes through risky surgeries. That is not the case anymore. 

Nowadays, people can achieve their desired look without worrying about going under the knife. 

The aesthetic trends mentioned here are either already in the list of the top aesthetic treatments or making their way to the top.

In order to prepare for what’s to come in 2022, aesthetic practices need to construct a proper plan. 

Medical providers should consider their patients demographics along with their practice goals to create a well thought out plan for success.

With the pandemic still an on-going concern, practices need to adapt to not only survive, but to continue to grow and thrive.

Safety precautions need to be set into place as they are important for everyone who enter these places, such as the clients, the employees, the medical professionals, and other individuals.

Aesthetic medicine trends are always changing as new trends come into being. So what’s popular today might not be as popular tomorrow, and vice versa.

People are becoming more aware of how they look and are always looking for ways to improve that. 

The need for non-invasive aesthetic treatments will continue to grow as the world moves on to 2022.

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