We look at the recently released trend reports and statistics from The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
(
BAAPS) and The British College of Aesthetic Medicine
(BCAM) following their annual conferences.
BCAM 2023 Annual Clinical Review
The British College of Aesthetic Medicine has released data from its annual audit of 357 members to inform on treatment popularity and complication management.
While the frequency of treatments performed remains similar to last year, results demonstrate a staggering rise in complications caused by other practitioners being managed by BCAM members.
Complications
BCAM members have treated 300 more complications from other practitioners since last year.
The total number has risen to 3,523 from 3,323 since 2022. Of the 357 BCAM members surveyed, 82% said they had handled someone else’s complications.
Most (69%) of the complications had come from treatments performed by beauticians, therapists and podiatrists, which is up from 60% last year. The rest were attributed to other aesthetic medicine doctors, surgeons, nurses and pharmacists.
Dermal filler procedures continue to be associated with the biggest number of complications, while adverse events associated with botulinum toxin are not far behind:
- Dermal fillers (44%)
- Botulinum toxin (30%)
- Threads (12%)
- Lasers and other energy-based devices (9%)
Due to the lack of the denominator (number of procedures performed by non-physician practitioners), it is impossible to estimate the relative rate of complications of injectable treatments performed by unregulated practitioners in the UK.
BCAM president Catherine Fairris said, “We have found that dermal fillers continue to be the treatment with largest number of complications from non-medical practitioners, which confirms how dangerous dermal fillers can be in the wrong hands. Notably, members report that these complications are often more severe and require specialised treatments. We strongly welcome the public consultation for a licensing scheme of aesthetic treatments, which will hopefully reduce the rate of complications and put patient safety first in the coming years.”
Trends in aesthetic plastic surgery revealed at the BAAPS Annual Scientific Conference World leading experts and thought leaders in the field of aesthetic plastic surgery have unveiled the latest industry trends and techniques at the British Association of Aesthetic Surgeons’ Annual Scientific Meeting.
The theme of this year’s conference was Elevation in Surgery: elevation of technique, results and patient experience.
According to the BAAPS annual audit, 31,057 cosmetic procedures took place in 2022, up 102% from the previous year. Partly responsible for this boom are advancements in techniques that help to improve patient outcomes, satisfaction and safety.
The future is facelifts: The ponytail lift, scarless beautification and global rejuvenation Chia Chi Kao, an esteemed facial surgeon located in Los Angeles, has gained widespread recognition for transforming facelift procedures. His innovative approach, dubbed the “Ponytail Lift,” involved discreet, minimal incisions strategically placed behind the ear and within the hairline. Unlike traditional methods that primarily focus on elevating the brow, Kao’s technique prioritises altering the brow’s shape rather than its height. Through skilful rotation of the outer brow, the emphasis is shifted from lifting to reshaping, mitigating the risk of a “windblown” or “surprised” appearance.
“One of the many interesting things about Dr Kao’s pioneering work is that it can be used earlier on in the ageing process, because it’s not so much about lifting sagging skin”, said BAAPS President Marc Pacifico.
In a recent survey of BAAPS members, 70% observed a trend for patients under 50 enquiring about facelifts. “It was observed that facelifts are often considered by patients in their early to mid-40s who usually have the mindset of maintenance rather than later rejuvenation”, adds Pacifico.
The Gliding Lip Lift
With many celebrities taking to social media to renounce lip fillers, alternative techniques for achieving plump, natural-looking lips are gaining popularity. Jerry O’Daniel brings over 30 years of experience to the full spectrum of cosmetic and non-surgical procedures and is renowned for his anatomical approach to face, neck and lip lifting.
As O’Daniel points out, we judge age not by the eyes but by the lips, making them all the more crucial to get right.
The challenge with a traditional Bullhorn Lip lift is that if only the central third of the lip is lifted, in some patients it can over-elevate this section and might look unnatural and result in “bunny lips.”
O’Daniel’s Gliding Lip Lift helps with elevation of the lip more laterally as well as in the middle, helping to maintain natural proportions. It is done under local anaesthetic and scarring is minimal.
Small is the new big: Stem cell-enriched fat grafts for breast augmentation
According to the BAAPS Annual Audit, Breast Reduction procedures were up by 122% in 2022, with many women choosing a smaller cup size due to lifestyle choices. “Women are being influenced by wellness and improving the quality of their lives, rather than aesthetic concerns,” says BAAP’s Vice President Nora Nugent.
Some are also having their implants removed due to implant-associated complications such as chronic pain, capsular contraction, breast deformities, or concerns over breast implant illness. Replacement with a new implant is therefore not desirable and alternatives are requested by patients to substitute the removed implant volume for a cosmetic satisfying result.
Whilst fat transfer treatments are a natural and effective alternative to artificial implants, their success has been limited by an unpredictable fat survival rate, previously thought to be between 40-60%. Aiming to improve treatment outcomes, a new fat enrichment technique has been developed to safely and efficaciously replace the implant volume with fat grafts enriched with ex vivo expanded stem cells.
By boosting naturally-occurring stem cells within the fat, that is harvested from the tummy or thighs, the new technique increases the fat survival rate to 80-100%, resulting in much more predictable treatment outcomes for patients.
