Aesthetic considerations for treating the Asian patient: Thriving in diversity international roundtable series.

BACKGROUND: The unique anatomy of the Asian face, along with the influence of cultural forces and regional preferences, has led to the development of specialized approaches to rejuvenation and beautification that are applicable to the aesthetic practice within Asia as well as those who serve these patients internationally. AIMS: To discuss similarities and differences in anatomy and treatment preferences of Asian patients and explore how these differences may influence aesthetic practices. PATIENTS/METHODS: In support of clinicians who wish to serve a diverse patient population, a six-part international roundtable series focused on diversity in aesthetics was conducted from August 24, 2021 to May 16, 2022. RESULTS: The results of the sixth and final roundtable in the series, the Asian Patient, are described here. Anatomical differences and their influence on treatment preferences are discussed, and specific procedural information provided for management of facial shape and projection, including advanced injection techniques for the eyelid-forehead complex. CONCLUSIONS: The continued exchange of ideas and treatment techniques support not only optimal aesthetic outcomes for a diverse range of patients within a given practice, but also the evolution of aesthetic medicine. The expert approaches detailed here may be used to inform treatment plans tailored to the Asian population.

Esthetic considerations for treating the patient of European descent: Thriving in diversity international roundtable series.

BACKGROUND: The European esthetic experience is informative for understanding both innovation as well as how to care for patients of various backgrounds and ages. AIMS: To discuss best practices for treating the European population and how these approaches may be applied to patient populations across the globe. PATIENTS/METHODS: In support of clinicians who wish to serve a diverse patient population, a 6-part, international roundtable series focused on diversity in esthetics was conducted from August 24, 2021 to May 16, 2022. In each roundtable, expert clinicians were invited to contribute and share best practices. RESULTS: The results of the fifth roundtable in the series, the European Patient, are described here. Key ideas include the growing number of people over the age of 65 years in Europe and the management of this more mature patient population; the role of functional anatomy in treating patients with both fillers and botulinum toxin; and the role of ultrasound in clinical practice for mapping vasculature. CONCLUSIONS: While there is no typical European face, there is much to be learned from thoughtful consideration of how to best manage more mature patients as well as how to use minimally invasive modalities, such as injectables, efficiently to achieve natural-looking results.

Aesthetic considerations when treating patients of African descent: Thriving in diversity international roundtable series.

BACKGROUND: Black patients of African descent are an ethnically diverse demographic and have unique anatomical features, aging processes, and responses to aesthetic procedures that must be considered when planning treatment. AIMS: To discuss similarities and differences in the anatomy and treatment preferences of Black patients of African descent and explore how these differences may influence aesthetic practices. PATIENTS/METHODS: In support of clinicians who wish to serve a diverse patient population, a 6-part international roundtable series focused on diversity in aesthetics was conducted from August 24, 2021, to May 16, 2022. RESULTS: The results of the third roundtable in the series, the African Patient, are described here. The expertise and perspectives of African physicians, US physicians who treat African American patients, and physicians practicing within Latin America and Europe who treat patients of color (POC) of African descent are included, as well as information gleaned from injection demonstrations. CONCLUSIONS: Black African patients seek aesthetic treatment for a variety of conditions. Patients with darker skin can benefit from treatment with fillers, neurotoxins, and energy-based devices, but the application of these approaches should take into account the unique characteristics of each individual patient and the cultural and biological influences that impact treatment outcomes.

Aesthetic considerations for treating the Middle Eastern patient: Thriving in Diversity international roundtable series.

BACKGROUND: The Middle East has a significant influence on the global aesthetic market. Within the United States and globally, patients with Middle Eastern heritage have a wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds that affect their perceptions of beauty and motivations to seek cosmetic treatment. AIMS: The aim of this roundtable was to discuss similarities and differences in anatomy and treatment preferences of Middle Eastern patients and explore how these differences may influence aesthetic practices. PATIENTS/METHODS: In support of clinicians who wish to serve a diverse patient population, a 6-part international roundtable series focused on diversity in aesthetics was conducted from August 24, 2021, to May 16, 2022. RESULTS: The results of the fourth roundtable in the series, the Middle Eastern Patient, are described here. A discussion of treatment preferences is included, and specific procedural information is provided for  commonly treated areas in this population (forehead, infraorbital area, and jawline). CONCLUSIONS: Middle Eastern patients have a variety of aesthetic preferences, which are influenced by a wide range of cultural backgrounds, making it difficult to develop general statements about this demographic. There is an unmet need for research into this diverse group of patients to help physicians understand and incorporate their unique needs and desires into clinical practice.

Aesthetic considerations when treating the Latin American patient: Thriving in diversity international roundtable series.

BACKGROUND: The Hispanic/Latin American population is the fastest growing non-Caucasian group in the United States. Within this group, demand for aesthetic procedures is on the rise. High ethnic variability among these patients influences treatment approaches and patient priorities. Understanding these ethnic differences is central to providing optimal care. AIMS: To discuss similarities and differences in anatomy and treatment preferences of Hispanic/Latin American patients both within the United States and internationally and explore how these differences may influence or inform aesthetic practices. PATIENTS/METHODS: In support of clinicians who wish to serve a diverse patient population, a 6-part, international roundtable series focused on diversity in aesthetics was conducted from August 24, 2021 to May 16, 2022. In this roundtable, held in Medellin, Columbia, expert clinicians from across Latin America and the United States were invited to contribute and share best practices. RESULTS: The results of the second roundtable in the series, the Latin American Patient, are described here. A special emphasis is placed on procedures that address the most commonly encountered concerns in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Hispanic and Latino patients represent a broad demographic with unique anatomical features, aesthetic preferences, and treatment priorities. Clinicians should consider these differences when treating this patient population.

Aesthetic Office Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan.

The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has served as a call-to-arms in preparing practices for the next disaster whether it is another infectious disease or a flood, hurricane, earthquake, a sustained power outage, or something else. A group of predominantly core aesthetic physicians discussed the various aspects of their office procedures that warrant consideration in a proactive approach to the next pandemic/disaster-related event. This guide does not set a standard of practice but contains recommendations that may avoid some of the "lessons learned" with the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, the board-certified core aesthetic physicians classified these recommendations into four generalized areas: Practice Management; Supplies and Inventory; Office Staffing Considerations and Protocols; and Patient Management Strategies. Proactive strategies are provided in each of these categories that, if implemented, may alleviate the processes involved with an efficient office closure and reopening process including, in the case of COVID-19, methods to reduce the risk of transmission to doctors, staff, and patients. These strategies also include being prepared for emergency-related notifications of employees and patients; the acquisition of necessary equipment and supplies such as personal protective equipment; and the maintenance and accessibility of essential data and contact information for patients, vendors, financial advisors, and other pertinent entities.J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(1):10-16. doi:10.36849/JDD.5803.

Managing intravascular complications following treatment with calcium hydroxylapatite: An expert consensus.

BACKGROUND: Inadvertent intra-arterial injection of dermal fillers including calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) can result in serious adverse events including soft tissue necrosis, permanent scarring, visual impairment, and blindness. When intra-arterial injection occurs, immediate action is required for optimal outcomes, but the infrequency of this event means that many physicians may never have experienced this scenario. The aim of this document is to provide evidence-based and expert opinion recommendations for the recognition and management of vascular compromise following inadvertent injection of CaHA. METHODS: An international group of experts with experience in injection of CaHA and management of vascular complications was convened to develop a consensus on the optimal management of vascular compromise following intra-arterial CaHA injection. The consensus members were asked to provide preventative advice for the avoidance of intravascular injection and to produce a treatment protocol for acute and delayed presentation. To ensure all relevant treatment options were included, the recommendations were supplemented with a PubMed search of the literature. RESULTS: For prevention of intra-arterial CaHA injection, consensus members outlined the importance of a thorough knowledge of facial vascular anatomy and patient history, as well as highlighting potential risk zones and optimal injection techniques. Individual sections document how to recognize the symptoms of vascular occlusion leading to vision loss and tissue necrosis as well as detailed treatment protocols for the management of these events. For impending tissue necrosis, recommendations are provided for early and delayed presentations with treatment protocols for acute and follow-up treatment. A separate section details the treatment options for open and closed wounds. CONCLUSIONS: All physicians should be prepared for the eventuality of intra-arterial injection of a dermal filler, despite its rarity. These consensus recommendations combine advice from aesthetic experts with the latest reports from the published literature to provide an up-to-date office-based protocol for the prevention and treatment of complications arising from intra-arterial CaHA injection.

Aesthetic evolution drives birth of minimally invasive surgery subgroup.

BACKGROUND: Facial and neck skin tightening, and rejuvenation began decades ago with maximally invasive incisional face-lift surgery. Aesthetic trends, patient demands, and innovative technology brought about minimally invasive and noninvasive interventions-such as radiofrequency, ultrasound, laser and intense pulsed light as well as dermal fillers and other injectables-to address facial and neck skin laxity. These procedures reduce facial and neck skin laxity with less risk and less downtime than maximally invasive face-lift or face-lift plus liposuction; however, these interventions are often deemed to offer reduced results. AIMS: To evaluate the safety and efficacy-as well as patient satisfaction-of Rotational Fractional Resection (RFR) in subjects with mild-to-moderate submental fat and mild-to-moderate submental skin laxity. MATERIALS: Rotational fractional resection with the Nuvellus (Recros, Inc) platform, which uses 1.5 mm in diameter rotating scalpels-termed scalpets-to resect lax skin followed by a rotating cannulas to perform focal lipectomy through resected access ports. METHODS: Thirtyone patients were evaluated 30 days after RFR, in an ongoing prospective, multi-center, nonrandomized study. RESULTS: The majority of subjects had a ≥1-grade improvement in investigator-evaluated skin laxity and lipodystrophy; 84% of subjects were satisfied with their neck and jawline appearance and 97% of subjects they would likely recommend the procedure. Minimal procedural and post-procedural pain, minimal scarring in 94% of subjects, and no severe skin-related adverse effects. DISCUSSION: Rotational fractional resection is essentially a new concept that has a risk and side effect profile that is comparable or better than-surgical skin tightening, with measurable permanent results approaching that of surgical skin tightening. This investigational procedure advances the evolution of facial and neck aesthetic procedures with results approaching those of surgery in a single treatment. CONCLUSION: Early RFR results are promising but, yet to be conclusive. However current outcome reports identify a procedure that meet patient demands for a minimally invasive office- based procedure to look better with limited downtime.

Midface: Clinical Anatomy and Regional Approaches with Injectable Fillers.

The clinical approach towards the midface is one of the most important interventions for practitioners when treating age-related changes of the face. Currently a plethora of procedures are used and presented. However, few of these approaches have been validated or passed review board assigned evaluations. Therefore, it is the aim of this work to establish a guideline manual for practitioners for a safe and effective mid-face treatment based on the most current concepts of facial anatomy. The latter is based on the 5-layered structural arrangement and its understanding is the key towards the favoured outcome and for minimizing complications.

Are you ethical?: that may depend on who you are asking.

Last week, I was stopped at a red light on a 2-lane street with construction barriers on both sides of my lane. Behind me, approaching fast, was an ambulance with its siren wailing. In the oncoming lane, also stopped at the red light, was a police car. Since I could not pull off to the right because of the barrier, my only choice to get out of the path of the ambulance was to drive into the intersection despite the red light. However, if I did, I would be breaking the law in clear view of a police officer. But if I did not let the ambulance through, I would be violating an ethical norm. After quickly thinking through my options, I made a judgment call and did what I thought best. What would you do?

Office-based anesthesia: an overview.

Office-based anesthesia, like other specific forms of anesthesia practice, has many unique attributes. Better work hours and a closer working relationship with surgeons and patients can provide the forum for a considerable amount of professional resonance. Moreover, the itinerant nature of the practice, the limited resources, and the need to innovate on the spur of the moment can make for variety and excitement. The gamut of anesthesia techniques, patient comorbidities, and surgeon expectations does not necessarily produce a facile experience, of course. But no specific anesthesia specialty or venue is devoid of challenge. While OBA is different from other types of anesthesia practice, this distinction does not necessarily make it superior or inferior. The political climate has improved, with more states acknowledging the status of OBS and OBA. This may force those OBA providers who routinely practice without regard to practical and appropriate industry standards out of business. AAAHC accreditation of an OBA practice may serve as a confidence-inspiring indication to patients that nationwide peer-reviewed standards are being met. However, everyone involved must recognize that accreditation is not a substitute for the sound application of clinical knowledge and expertise, as well as the collection and assessment of quality assurance data. It is inappropriate to view each OBS client as a minihospital. Although this may seem a simpler business model, the business and legal issues can be far more complex than those found in more traditional locales. A meld between business-person and clinician is becoming more a rule than an exception, and efforts to maintain and promote professional sovereignty will help forge continued growth of this unique form of anesthesiology practice.