Rapid expansion characterizes the medical aesthetics market of recent years. More than $16 billion was spent on cosmetic operations in 2012 alone. The CAGR for the health and beauty industry from 2015 to 2020 is anticipated to be 10.8%.
Expertise and Experience in Medical Esthetics
The term “medical aesthetics” is often used to refer to a field that encompasses a wide range of specializations.
In one region, people go to plastic surgeons for invasive cosmetic procedures that require weeks of recovery. Cosmetic injectables like Botox, dermal fillers, and Kybella are administered by doctors, nurses, PAs, and other medical staff in different sections of the clinic.
In addition, cosmetic laser technicians (who may or may not come from an aesthetician or cosmetologist background) carry out a variety of treatments with non-ablative lasers and IPL.
To Remove Hair Using a Laser or IPL
Face Acne Treatment with IPL Phototherapy
Tattoo removal, spider vein removal, fat reduction, and cellulite treatment are all possible with a laser.
Lampadaire à Microcurrent
Advanced Microderm Radio Frequency Skin Tightening Laser Peel with Dermal Infusion/Vibration (non-crystal)
Which Factors Contribute to This Expanding Market?
Many analysts attribute this expansion to the proliferation of selfies in modern culture and/or the growing popularity of television personalities who receive medical aesthetics operations and then advertise these and other beauty-related items on social media.
Recent advances in laser technology have greatly enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of medical operations. As a result of advancements in technology, we now experience less discomfort and downtime. The price drops in many medical aesthetics operations are just as important, if not more so because they attract a younger audience that is more interested in cosmetic enhancement and preventative maintenance than in remedial procedures.
Which Forms of Prior Education are Necessary?
It comes as a shock to many people to realize that in the vast majority of states, neither medical nor esthetic training is necessary to execute cosmetic procedures. Training can be obtained by enrolling in a one- to two-week course that provides both theoretical and practical education in skin anatomy, Fitzpatrick skin types, tissue interaction, and laser safety.
In contrast to a more comprehensive course, in which the trainee is exposed to multiple training styles and modalities, some laser manufacturers offer free training on a specific piece of equipment (generally one that they distribute). Employers may also place a premium on candidates who have received this latter, comprehensive education.
Employment Prospects in the Field of Medical Esthetics
Although many states now require cosmetic laser specialists to work under the supervision of a medical director (either on or off-site, depending on the state’s regulations), the field of laser technology is booming with exciting opportunities for qualified professionals. Let’s investigate several of these in detail:
Medical clinics – The modern healthcare consumer places equal importance on how they look as well as how they feel, thus it makes sense to provide both medical and cosmetic treatments. Medical aesthetics was formerly the sole purview of plastic surgeons and dermatologists, but increasingly many other types of doctors, from PCPs to OB/GYNs, are seeing the financial benefits of expanding their practices to include these procedures. Patients like the idea of a “one-stop shop,” and doctors like that these treatments don’t involve insurance paperwork. As more people seek out aesthetic medical treatments, there will be a greater need for trained aesthetic medical experts and cosmetic laser technicians.
In the past ten years or so, medical spas have mostly offered laser and IPL treatments for skin rejuvenation, tattoo and hair removal, and a small selection of cosmetic injectables. Due to the many scientific and technological advancements that have occurred since then, many medical spas now offer a broader range of procedures that mix aesthetics with medicine, such as micro-needling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
Salons, barbershops, and day spas – Day spas may be best known for relieving stress and promoting rest and renewal, but even they have come to see the value in expanding their services to include those that have more visible outcomes, such as microcurrent. Many spas and salons are the same way. Medical aesthetics services, such as Botox and dermal fillers, are becoming increasingly popular, and some businesses are responding by bringing in a doctor or nurse a few days or evenings a week to offer them to regulars.
For services like laser hair and tattoo removal, which typically require multiple treatment sessions to obtain optimal results, niche boutiques have become increasingly popular, as new customers are easily converted into repeat customers who are then likely to recommend the business to their friends. Boutiques that specialize in a single treatment option can keep operating costs down while still offering excellent care to their clients.
Alternatives for a Successful Career in Medicine
Some doctors have added medical aesthetics to their existing operations, while others have opened their medical spas to avoid dealing with insurance companies. Botox and dermal fillers, while very popular, are now merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the medical aesthetics therapies that doctors can give their patients.
Kybella is used to reduce moderate to severe submental chin fat, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, either alone or in conjunction with other skin rejuvenation techniques like micro-needling, have broadened the range of injectable cosmetic options available. The combination of PRP and radiofrequency can produce similarly impressive outcomes in rejuvenating women.
Things Will Only Get Better From Here
Medical aesthetics technology, and the need for related services, will only get better over time. Whether you’re a career switcher entering the industry for the first time, an aesthetician or cosmetologist looking to expand your services to include cosmetic laser treatments, or a medical professional looking to boost your earnings, investing time and energy into learning the latest techniques and procedures can pay off handsomely.