The medical aesthetics industry is a diverse and fascinating branch of medicine. The devotion of medical technology to aesthetic improvement dates back to the Ancient Egyptians, and not much has changed in the ensuing millennia about the human desire to be more beautiful. We are going to explore the past, present, and future of the medical aesthetics industry, with a particular focus on careers in aesthetics.
What is an Aesthetics Career?
A career in medical aesthetics can mean a wide variety of things, from simply being an aesthetician to a medical doctor performing cosmetic surgery procedures. A medical degree is not required to work in the medical aesthetics industry, and there are plenty of technical and supporting roles for even the specifically doctor performed components of the medical aesthetics industry. These include positions as nurses, surgical technicians, and anesthesia technicians, as well as the standard positions associated with any business. There are individuals specializing in advertising, business, and, more specifically, the medical aesthetics industry. Most aestheticians have a background in cosmetology, and they have some sort of state certification to work as an aesthetician. There are also certifications in medical aesthetics itself available. Many of these programs are available as alternatives to a traditional four-year university.
History of the Aesthetics Industry
The medical aesthetics industry has a long and storied history, dating back to ancient times. The first recorded cosmetic surgery is found in an Ancient Egyptian medical text dating back to 1600 B.C, showing how to repair a broken nose. Medical aesthetics evolved from then onward into the Roman period. Roman texts from the first century B.C. depict the repair of damaged ears. In the more modern era, Indian texts on cosmetic procedures were translated into Arabic by the Abbasid Caliphate around 750 A.D. These methods were so advanced that as late as the 18th century, British physicians were traveling to India to see rhinoplasties performed the Indian way. In the United States, the first plastic surgeon was John Peter Mettauer, who, in 1827, performed the first cleft palate operation with tools he had designed himself. By the 19th century, rhinoplasties were well-documented procedures.
Medical aesthetics beyond just surgery also dates back a significant amount of time. Medical aesthetics is simply the use of medical technology to enhance physical appearance. This could be seen non-surgically in the Middle Age habit of European women putting drops made from Belladonna (Deadly Nightshade) into their eyes to dilate their pupils in order to make their eyes seem more attractive. In the Victorian period, women often used arsenic to make their skin paler, which was considered beautiful at the time. As time went on and the world entered the 20th century, medicine became much more sophisticated, and more and more complex cosmetic procedures were made possible. In 1987 a doctor received FDA approval to experiment with botulinum toxin (now known commonly as Botox) to cause partial facial paralysis. Thus, botox was “discovered” as a cosmetic procedure and began to be used to eliminate wrinkles all over the world.
Future of the Aesthetics Industry
The future of the medical aesthetics industry is certainly bright, with the industry consistently experiencing year-over-year growth. This expansion is mainly in the aesthetic injectables as well as aesthetic lasers market. Aesthetic lasers exist in various forms, including laser hair removal, laser skin rejuvenation, and laser lipolysis lasers. These cutting-edge scientific innovations allow for the non-invasive performance of unprecedented medical aesthetic procedures. The aesthetic injectable market is also growing steadily. Injectables represent the general direction of the future of the medical aesthetics industry well. Injectable aesthetic procedures are minimally invasive and are increasingly being performed in aesthetic medicine clinics, medspas, and beauty bars. The general trend in medical aesthetics is towards the demedicalization of access to the industry.
More and more aesthetic procedures are being performed in more casual and less medical environments. What was previously only done in hospitals is now being done in ordinary doctor’s offices, and what was previously only done in doctor’s offices is now being done in spa-like facilities. The rise of medspas and beauty bars is indicative of the future of the medical aesthetics industry. People are generally uncomfortable with excessively “medical” environments. People tend to associate medicine with being ill or otherwise unwell. The medical aesthetics industry is trying to divorce itself from this reputation by making its procedures available in more appealing locations. The rise of the medspa outlines the way that the medical aesthetics industry is trying to destigmatize the provision of aesthetic medical procedures to otherwise healthy people.
How Has Emerald Laser Played a Part in the Advancement of the Aesthetics Industry
Emerald Laser has played a pioneering role in the medical aesthetics industry by revolutionizing the process of laser lipolysis. Laser lipolysis also referred to as “laser lipo,” involves the application of a low-intensity laser. Lasers can generate singular-directional light and heat to a minimal area. With laser lipo, the technician will target the cell with the laser. The laser penetrates the skin, reaches the targeted fat cells, and bores a tiny pore into the cellular membrane. In addition to creating a small hole, the laser emulsifies (melts) the lipids inside the cell, which allows them to seep through the pore. The body’s lymphatic system then naturally disposes of the lipids. Emerald Laser by Erchonia works differently from other laser lipolysis methods. Emerald’s system uses ten 532 nanometer lasers to target fat cells. While the system allows the cells to drain, they remain intact. Other laser systems destroy the fat cells, which can lead to fatty deposits developing in other areas of the body. Additionally, Emerald Laser is relatively painless when compared to other laser systems. Most patients don’t feel anything at all. What’s more:
- Emerald Laser is relatively painless when compared to other laser systems.
- Emerald is the only laser system approved by the FDA for individuals with a BMI over 30.
- Erchonia is a pioneer in the medical fat reduction industry. They received the first FDA market clearance for a body fat reduction laser. Since that time, Erchonia has received multiple FDA market clearances.
- With packages ranging from $1,500 to $2,500, Emerald is one of the most cost-effective weight loss systems on the market.
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