Cosmetic Practitioners Research Articles

Explantation with Lateral Pedicle Mastopexy.

While breast explantation combined with mastopexy is an increasingly common procedure, it does present certain technical difficulties. We present a technique of explantation mastopexy with the use of an extended lateral pedicle for auto-augmentation. A consecutive series of 40 cases was retrospectively reviewed, with patient reported outcome questionnaire and photography at 3 and 12 months. The mean age was 57 years (range 40 - 70 years), and mean duration of implantation was 20.4 years (range 7 - 42 years). 12 women had undergone previous mastopexy (30%). Minor wound complications requiring simple dressings were seen in 7 cases (17.5%). Major infected wound problems occurred in 1 case, who was a smoker and had other co-morbidities. All except 1 case reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the outcome, with a mean patient reported satisfaction score of 4.9/5. When the photographs were independently assessed by a cosmetic practitioner, all cases were rated as average, good or very good, with a mean score of 4.1/5. The procedure is associated with low risk of post-operative complications, good cosmetic outcomes, and a high degree of patient satisfaction. We feel this technique provides a logical, reproducible method for combined explantation and mastopexy.

The intersection of aesthetic medicine and psychology: navigating complex clinical terrain

In a special feature by the Joint Council of Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP), Kimberley Cairns, a JCCP trustee and psycho-aesthetic consultant, explores the intricate connection between aesthetic medicine and psychology AdobeStock/Marta Sher

Association between the three-dimensional facial shape and its color in a boundary group of young to middle-aged Asian women

Visual cues strongly influence an individual's self-esteem and have fundamental sociopsychological functions. The color and shape of the face are important information for visual cues and are hypothesized to be correlated with each other. However, few studies have examined these relationships. Thus, this study determined the association between color and shape of the face. For this purpose, we evaluated Chinese women in their 30s and 40s (n = 166). Three-dimensional (3D) image-capture devices that provide shape morphology along with standardized photographs (color information) were used to obtain 3D images of women. The coordinates and red‒green–blue color data on the 3D images were utilized to perform principal component (PC) analysis, and shape and color PCs were generated. A canonical variate analysis was then conducted to check for significant correlations between the shape and color PCs. As a result, 6 significant correlations were found (p < 0.05). In detail, in addition to the physical correlations (i.e., steric faces or faces with protrusion of the cheek showed greater shadows, retrognathism was related to a shadow under the lower lip and vice versa), biological correlations (fatty faces showed greater redness and remarkable marionette lines; faces with age-related sagging showed greater darkness, possibly related to cumulative ultraviolet radiation exposure of the skin; and robust mandibles and supraorbital ridges were related to thick eyebrows) were found. This insight can aid both medical and cosmetic practitioners in comprehending the intricate details conveyed by facial features, thereby facilitating more comprehensive diagnosis and treatment planning, including makeup.

Practice-Based Learning in Aesthetic Medicine: Assessing Scientific Literacy Among Cosmetic Practitioners.

The field of aesthetic medicine has expanded substantially in the past decade, with significant practitioner diversification and departure from core-specialty supervision. The increased autonomy of nonphysician practitioners in a rapidly evolving field has raised accentuated the importance of scientific literacy and practice-based learning standards in the delivery of aesthetic medical care. To assess the degree of scientific literacy among aesthetic medicine practitioners of different educational and training backgrounds in the United States and abroad. A cross-sectional survey of 52 national and international aesthetic medicine practitioners employing a validated, 28-item, scientific literacy tool. The average score for all participants was 76% (SD = 18%, range = 43%-100%). Physician practitioners scored higher in all competencies compared non-physicians (86% vs 68%, p < 0.001), with a greater discrepancy among US practitioners (95% vs 71%, p < 0.001). Competencies relating to identification of bias/confounding variables, graphical data representation, and statistical inference/correlation showed the lowest proficiency. Practitioners with a doctorate or equivalent degree were significantly more likely to report frequent engagement with medical literature than non-physicians ( p = 0.02). There exists a significant disparity in scientific literacy between physician and nonphysician aesthetic medicine practitioners. This gap underscores the need for enhanced educational programs and continuous professional development to ensure safe and effective patient care in the evolving field of aesthetic medicine.

Recommendations for the scope of the Department of Health and Social Care review of licensing in England–the case for redefining the more invasive procedures as ‘surgical’

Non-surgical procedures have been the subject of controversy, in part due to their invasiveness. Professor David Sines from the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) introduces a new non-surgical licensing scheme for England

Aesthetics across cultures: implications for practitioners in multicultural Britain

From rhinoplasties to tanning, and from buttock augmentation to eyelids, this comment piece looks at aesthetics perspectives across cultures and what they may imply for cosmetic practitioners in multicultural Britain

Cosmetic procedures: the supply of medicines to safeguard consumer health and wellbeing

Finding a balance between patient safety and working within the confines of legislation may be difficult in emergency scenarios. Chair of the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners, Professor David Sines, explores how to safeguard consumer health in more depth

The JCCP outlines its strategic priorities for public protection in 2023

Professor David Sines discusses the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners' public protection priorities for the upcoming year

Can medical aesthetic treatments improve mental health?

Can medical aesthetic treatments improve mental health?

Standards of prescribing: the possible implications of a licensing scheme

Andrew Rankin discusses the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners' stance on prescribing and the upcoming licensing scheme

Review of Skin Problems Caused by Stress

Long-term exposure to social and biological/physical stressful events produces stress responses. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is one of the main neuroendocrine regulatory systems in the process of stress. Recent studies have shown that skin, as a large endocrine organ, also has peripheral neuroendocrine regulatory functions similar to the central HPA axis. The skin also responds positively to stress and produces a range of symptoms. This review will introduce a series of skin apparent problems caused by stress from the perspectives of molecular biology, skin neurology, endocrinology and immunology, hoping to provide another solution for cosmetic practitioners to deal with these skin apparent problems.

Laser treatment of benign melanocytic lesion: a review.

Treatment of pigmented lesions is one of the major challenges of laser and cosmetic practitioners. The most common pigmented lesions that are treated by lasers are melanocytic nevi, ephelides, solar lentigines, and café au lait macules. Melanin absorbs different wavelengths (500-1100nm); thereby, treatment of various pigmented lesions requires the application of lasers with different wavelengths. Choosing the most appropriate type of laser depends on various factors such as the chromophore and the location of a specific lesion in the skin. In this paper, we aim to review the most efficient laser treatment protocols for each pigmented skin lesion and compare their efficacy in each part based on the previous studies.

Premises standards

Lisa Mason-Poyner and Sally Taber explain the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners’ (JCCP) review of premises standards in relation to how they might inform the new proposed the national licensing scheme, which will be introduced as part of the new Health and Care Act (2022) that has recently received royal assent

Factors Influencing Trust and Trustworthiness: Cosmetic Injectable Patient Experience Exploratory Study (CIPEES)-Part 3.

Despite the widely recognized importance of trust in professional relationships, it remains elusive, complex, multidimensional, and difficult to quantify due to the lack of validated tools. The authors sought to explore both the important factors for building trust with cosmetic injectable patients and strategies for improving levels of trustworthiness in aesthetic practitioners. In order to explore factors in building trust with cosmetic injectable practitioners, a global study was conducted via an online survey. The Cosmetic Injectable Patient Experience Exploratory Study (CIPEES) survey assessed the relative importance of qualifications and training; reviewing of previous work (before and after photos); reputation; connection; time spent; online presence; and personal appearance of the practitioner in developing trust in a cosmetic practitioner. The CIPEES survey collected 1488 responses across 75 countries, with 66% of participants completing all 15 questions. The respondents were 95.6% female and 4.4% male, with ages ranging from 18 to >65 years old (median 33 years old). The number 1 ranked reason for being able to trust a cosmetic injector was qualifications and training, followed by the reputation of the practitioner, and time spent by the practitioner with the survey respondent. Practitioner online presence was considered the least important factor in helping develop trust. The CIPEES survey results support patient trust being built through credibility, reliability, and intimacy, with low levels of practitioner self-orientation. The trustworthiness equation provides a framework for identifying practitioner weaknesses in patient relationships and actionable methods of improving trustworthiness.

The emotional aspects of and psychological assessment for aesthetic, cosmetic and non-surgical treatments

Kimberley Cairns explores relevant psychology-related developments as a part of the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners' core principles and functions

The complaints agenda for the surgical and non-surgical aesthetics market

Sally Taber provides an update on issues that have been raised by members of the public as part of the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners' complaints procedure

The key elements of a national aesthetic treatment licensing regime

Professor David Sines explains the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners' stance on a national aesthetic treatment licensing regime in the UK

The work of the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners and Aesthetic Complications Expert Group

Dr Marytn King provides an insight into the ongoing work of the Joint Council of Cosmetic Practitioners and the Aesthetic Complications Expert Group

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Non-Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid Combined with L-carnosine for Horizontal Neck Wrinkles Treatment

Background Horizontal neck wrinkle formation is gaining more attention among cosmetic practitioners and clients. To date, hyaluronic acid products are one of the most common treatment options for this aesthetic concern. However, different therapeutic strategies should be given to solve the problem due to multiple etiological reasons. Given that oxidative damage plays a critical role in neck wrinkle formation, anti-oxidative compounds are now considered by physicians when making a treatment plan. Aims To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid filler in combination with L-carnosine in treating horizontal neck wrinkles. Methods Thirteen patients with a Wrinkle Assessment Scale (WAS) of 2–5 for horizontal neck wrinkles were treated with L-carnosine-containing non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid. Participants were followed-up for 3 months after treatment. The post-treated WAS scores evaluated by physicians were collected when patient satisfaction was surveyed. Any post-treatment adverse events were recorded. Results With a single injection of the above filler, the physician-evaluated WAS scores improved by at least one score at one month and the improvement kept consistent as far as three months after injection. According to the last follow-up visit, 11/13 patients were satisfied with the treatment effect of their neck wrinkle. Moreover, adverse events were rare after filler injection, except for local complications that were considered common reactions to the filler injection procedure. Conclusion The non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid filler containing L-carnosine is safe and effective for treating horizontal neck wrinkles.Level of Evidence IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

The aesthetic specialism

Sharon Bennett provides feedback to the recently published 10-point plan from the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners and details the ongoing events from the British Assocation of Cosmetic Nurses