Nurturing Future Leaders in Esthetics: Now Is the Time.

There is a need for a specialist pathway or progression in esthetic medicine for esthetic physicians. A structured program for specialized training in nonsurgical facial esthetics to empower physicians is the need of the hour. The pharmaceutical companies currently provide training sessions, taking considerable initiatives to train esthetic professionals. "Leaders of the future" is a global thought leadership program by the Allergan Aesthetics. The program was designed to support and nurture the next generation of leaders by focusing on science and evidence. It aimed to help practitioners grow, evolve, learn, share, and connect with leading international experts. The sessions were focused on the importance of science and sensibility in esthetic medicine, as well as critical thinking and leadership skills. Mentorship is one of the most effective approaches for transforming the lives of young esthetic practitioners and, in turn, future patients. In addition, the importance of in-depth knowledge of injection anatomy for safe practice was emphasized. As esthetic surgeons and physicians, we must commit to incorporating evidence-based medicine into our life-long practice. "Leaders of the Future" program aims to build a solid foundation for esthetic surgeons and physicians to grow and evolve as thought leaders. The program would also aid in the pursuit of a best esthetic practice that incorporates professional identity formation, clinical competence, and evidence-based management in nonsurgical esthetics.

Improving aseptic injection standards in aesthetic clinical practice.

The rise in popularity and demand for nonsurgical injectable aesthetic procedures is inherently accompanied by an increase in reported complications, particularly those related to infection. Aseptic technique is under the control of aesthetic practitioners and can be modified to minimize the potential for cross-contamination and infection. This should be a key consideration during all clinical procedures, particularly those involving breach of the skin's natural defenses and the use of soft tissue filler. A consensus group of five UK expert aesthetic clinicians were convened to discuss current best practice for aseptic techniques in medical aesthetics. The aim of the consensus group was to recommend a step-by-step procedure to achieve optimal aseptic practice in private clinics, and define important considerations for reducing infection risk during the whole patient journey: pre-, during- and postaesthetic procedure. Recommendations were based on current evidence and extensive clinical experience. Various procedure recommendations were made to achieve and maintain a high standard of asepsis and infection control. Guidance was divided into three phases for patients and health care professionals, covering preprocedure (including patient selection), during-procedure, and postprocedure considerations. Although adherence to standard hospital guidance on handwashing and cleanliness measures is a cornerstone of controlling cross-contamination, aesthetic clinics carry a high potential risk of infection-particularly as popular treatments with dermal fillers primarily involve the face. This expert consensus guidance recommends procedures to mitigate the potential risks of asepsis.