What’s Trending in Cosmetic Dermatology, and What Does it Mean for Your Practice?

HALO-fractional-laser-treatment

Several trends have recently emerged in cosmetic dermatology that will likely affect your practice. While most cosmetic procedures continue to grow in popularity, laser and energy-based skin treatments are showing a dramatic and ongoing increase in demand. In this article, we will look at the current trends in cosmetic dermatology, what may be driving those trends, and what it may mean for your practice.

Cosmetic dermatology procedures continue to grow in popularity

Cosmetic procedures continue to grow in popularity, according the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). In 2018, the top cosmetic treatments included soft-tissue fillers, injectable wrinkle relaxers, and body sculpting. The #1 cosmetic procedure by far, however, continues to be laser and energy-based skin treatments. What’s more, the popularity of these skin treatments has seen a 74% growth over the last 7 years.1

In 2018, the top cosmetic treatments were:1*

  • Laser and energy-based skin resurfacing: 3.4 million procedures
  • Injectable wrinkle relaxers: 2.1 million procedures
  • Soft-tissue fillers: 1.6 million procedures
  • Body sculpting: 623,000 procedures
  • Chemical peels: 497,000 procedures

*Treatments performed by dermatologist members of ASDS

Skin cancer and sun damage is on the rise

A likely result of climate change and ozone depletion, skin cancers and sun-related skin damage are on the rise. Both of these conditions are magnified by ultraviolet light, which damages the DNA of skin cells. From 1994 to 2014, the diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma increased by 77%.2 At the same time, sun-damaged skin treatments increased by 63% in just 2 years, according to a 2018 ASDS survey.1

Laser treatment ideal for therapy for sun-damaged skin

The signs of sun-damaged skin include wrinkles, age spots, loose skin, spider veins, and a blotchy or ruddy complexion. While all of these symptoms can be treated with a variety of procedures, only lasers are used to treat all of them, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.3 Laser treatment is also an effective method of treating precancerous skin conditions, like epidermal skin cancers.4 The benefits of laser treatment for sun-damaged skin include a reduced need for medication after treatment, improved outcomes for treated skin conditions, and an increased rate of recovery.5

Hybrid fractional lasers: the trending technology for skin treatment

For treating sun-damaged skin, a new category of laser technology is gaining popularity among doctors and their patients. Called the hybrid fractional laser (HFL), this technology combines both ablative and non-ablative fractional lasers into one device. The hybrid laser delivers separate treatments to the epidermis (ablative) and dermis (coagulative) at the same time, therefore providing the more dramatic results of an ablative treatment combined with the faster recovery time of a non-ablative treatment.6

Prepare your practice for sun-damaged skin patients

Unfortunately, the increasing rate of sun-damaged skin conditions is likely to continue. Anticipating this trend, dermatologists and med spas will want to prepare their practice with the best possible treatment options. Fortunately, more effective and tolerable skin treatments have been developed, including the hybrid fractional laser. By allowing doctors to perform 2 treatments in one session, and adjust the intensity and scope of both treatments, the HFL can provide the flexibility of treatment options needed to handle larger volumes of patients.

HALO®: 2 treatments and countless options

To handle the growing number of patients with sun-damaged skin, more and more doctors are turning to the HALO laser from Sciton. By delivering both fractional ablative and non-ablative laser wavelengths in the same pass, HALO treats the damage you can and cannot see at the same time. Patients receive both ablative and non-ablative results with non-ablative recovery times. What’s more, the dual wavelengths can be delivered in many different permutations of depths and coverage to customize the optimal treatment for each patient. In testimonials, reviews, and social media posts, patients express the highest levels of satisfaction with their HALO treatment and results. On the review site RealSelf.com, the vast majority of HALO patients (89%) said it’s “Worth It.”7

References:

  1. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. ASDS members performed more than 12.5 million treatments in 2018. https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/news-room/press-releases/asds-members-performed-more-than-125-million-treatments-in-2018. Accessed January 2020.
  2. Fromowitz J. Why is skin cancer rising? US News. https://health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/why-is-skin-cancer-rising. Accessed January 2020.
  3. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Wrinkles and other signs of sun-damaged skin care can be treated. https://www.aad.org/sun-protection/wrinkles-sun-damage-can-be-treated. Accessed January 2020.
  4. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Laser treatment for pre-cancerous growths. https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-treatments/laser-treatments-for-pre-cancerous-growth. Accessed January 2020.
  5. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Laser/light therapy for sun-damaged skin. https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-treatments/laser-light-therapy/laser-therapy-for-sun-damaged-skin. Accessed January 2020.
  6. Pozner J, Robb CW. Hybrid fractional laser: the future of laser resurfacing. https://sciton.com/wp-content/uploads/2600-003-13-Rev-A-Pozner-and-Robb-WP-HALO.pdf. Accessed February 2020.
  7. RealSelf.com. Halo Laser: What You Should Know. https://www.realself.com/halo-laser. Accessed February 2020.
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