60% of aesthetic clinics won't offer treatments including lip filler when they reopen
An exclusive survey by Aesthetic Medicine has revealed that 60% of aesthetic clinics and independent practitioners will offer a reduced or altered menu of treatments when they reopen following lockdown.
277 industry colleagues responded to AM’s covid-19 survey – the majority of whom were clinic owners, aesthetic therapists, independent nurses or nurse prescribers, or aesthetic or cosmetic surgeons. When asked if they had undertaken a review of treatments and adjusted their menu ready to welcome patients back, the majority said they plan to do so; with lip fillers the treatment that will initially be put on the backburner for most.
Responses included: “Starting back with toxin and microneedling. I’m undecided about dermal filler and have no lip treatments planned”, “I will be minimising facial peels and treatments where the patient can’t wear a mask, e.g. lip fillers, and prioritising treatments where the patient can wear mask, e.g. upper-face botox, etc.”, “No lip fillers to avoid aerosol dispersal”; and “I’m waiting for guidelines. I have full PPE, but I don’t think we should be augmenting lips.”
Other answers with regard to treatments that appeared multiple times included responses along the lines of minimising the number of treatments by conducting as many consultations as possible on video call and focusing consultations on whether the patient really requires the procedure at that time.
Others said they will only allow one client in the clinic at one time, won’t offer any “longer” appointments, or won’t perform laser, PRP or microneedling treatments until clearer guidelines are available on the risk presented by aerosol-generating procedures (APGs). Around 20% will avoid facial skin treatments altogether for the time being.
Most respondents (47%) said they plan to open on July 4, as per current Government guidelines [correct at the time Aesthetic Medicine went to print], while 34% said they were ready to open before, and 20% answered “later”. 60% said they already had full PPE or have it on order ready for opening, while 28% said they were waiting for clearer guidelines.
When asked about rearranging their premises to maximise social distancing, 65% said they plan to do so and 27% answered that it’s not necessary in their clinic or treatment space. 86% said practitioners and therapists will wear masks, gloves and any other relevant PPE during all treatments, and 69% plan to undertake refresher staff training for updated health and safety regimes with team members.