As recently as a few years ago, botox and dermal fillers were seen as quite extreme, and there was a watertight shroud of secrecy around getting some “work done”. At best, it was something we’d ruefully whisper to our close friends about – but most of the time, it was something we felt a compelling need to keep schtum on. And if someone had the gall to say, “you look great, have you had any work done?” – it felt like being caught red handed partaking in something bone-cringingly shameful.
The past two years alone have put paid to that as the medical aesthetic boom has resulted in the normalisation of cosmetic treatments. To put it into perspective – in 2020 the global market value was 1.3 billion Euros – now, just three years later, it’s worth a staggering 4.4 billion. Popping out to have your face ‘done’ in your lunch break is becoming as standard as getting a manicure – and how great you look as a result of it is something we’re becoming more and more inclined to share across our social media – never mind with our friends.
Award-Winning Advanced Aesthetician Dr. Emma has found that her clients are not only less ashamed to undergo the needle, but there’s a movement towards feeling empowered by it. Having featured in Harper’s Bazaar and Refinery29 for her expert advice on all things skin, and with established, sought-after locations in Merrion Square Dublin, Newry and the prestigious Slieve Donard Resort, Dr Emma is certainly well-placed to observe the shift of consumer moods and trends within the industry.
“People are starting to see cosmetic treatments as an investment into themselves. When clients see great results that vastly improve their confidence, it can be a real game changer for them. The personal choice of taking steps towards enhancing what you already have, or correcting something that bothers you, is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.”
Like everything else in the beauty industry, medical aesthetics are subject to trends – some good; and some, in hindsight, that were really not so good (hello, trout pout). Having learned from these mistakes, and with a widespread uptick in innovative formulas and a refinement around usage and skills training, the industry is moving away from those overly inflated lips and cheeks and freakishly smooth, unmoveable foreheads towards what is widely known as the more natural looking “tweakments”.
“There’s been a fundamental shift towards a more natural, undetectable look using anti-wrinkle and dermal fillers, and a move away from the more exaggerated look” says Emma. “In the right hands, a tweakment strikes the perfect balance between fulfilling the desire to enhance or correct and the desire to look natural. People sharing their results when that balance is achieved has opened the market to younger women and first-timers”
So, what are the top hottest “tweakment” trends right now, and in what direction does Dr Emma see this side of the industry going?
1. The “Lip Flip”
The lip flip is a nonsurgical procedure that makes your lips appear fuller, without the need to pump them full of filler.
It involves injecting a small about of toxin (usually, botox) into the muscles of the mouth, which relaxes them into inverting slightly, exposing more of the wet/dry border. This gives them a wonderfully naturally full, plumping effect.
2. Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections (PRP)
According to Dr Emma, this is gaining in popularity now and is going to be huge – not only for skin rejuvenation, but for facial profile correcting and restoration.
The movement towards being much more conscious of what we use on our skin and put into our bodies has meant there is a demand for more natural solutions. PRP uses your own blood plasma to create a jelly type matrix, which is injected into areas deficient in volume. Not only does it act as a filler, it accelerates the body’s natural production of collagen and elastin to provide overall skin rejuvenation.
The added benefit of this incredible treatment is that on average, a series of PRP treatments can provide a refreshed and more youthful appearance for up to 18 months, while Botox results only last 3-4 months.
3. The End of Targeted Trends
There is a shift away from consumers simply getting what’s trending done, which often involves filling one area, such as the lips or cheeks.
“The move now is towards creating a balanced facial profile. That involves assessing both the soft tissue and the skeleton of the face to see where the deficiencies are, and making sure the treatment plan is holistic in its approach.
For example, if someone is unhappy with the shape or volume of their lips, it’s important to look at the lower third of their face, and how enhancement will fit in with their overall profile. Plumping the lips if it leaves the chin under pronounced will set their whole profile off balance”
4. An Emphasis on the Skin Canvas
Much has been written about how the pandemic made us see ourselves in a different, not-so-great light (thanks a bunch, Zoom), which caused us to research and splurge on keeping our skin in good nick.
“The key to effective treatments is to work from the outside in”advises Emma.“Maintaining the skin canvas means you’ll need less filler. Treatments with the INTRAcel pro and Morpheus8 are great for tightening, firming, and rejuvenating the skin.”
And when it comes to achieving healthy, youthful looking skin – Dr Emma advises that as much as 70% is down to a healthy lifestyle and the maintenance of a good skincare routine – with 30% down to intervention. Consistency with looking after your skin on a day-to-day basis is what will really turn the dial on the in-clinic treatments.
And as a final bonus – what is Dr Emma’s #1 antiaging skincare must-have that we can all use from home?
“If you were to use only one product – make it Retinol. After the age of 20, the dermis layer produces 1% less collagen each year. Retinol challenges the skin into producing more. It is an anti-aging hero”