Defining the Population of Patients Seeking Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Procedures in an Academic Setting
Methods/Technique: This study included patients aged 25-70 from 9/1/2011-2013 presenting to the senior authors (JFS and IP) for nonsurgical facial rejuvenation. Patients with prior facial cosmetic or reconstructive procedures, body dysmorphic disorder, craniofacial abnormalities, or facial scarring were excluded. Upon enrollment, patients completed a demographic and informational questionnaire. Using SPSS, standard descriptive statistics were conducted.
Results/Complications: Twenty-nine subjects, all females, averaging 50.5-years-old (+11.3) were included. Most were married (55.2%), employed (82.8%), had children (65.5%) and a college or advanced degree (96.4%). One-third of patients (34.4%) reported a “major life event” within the preceding year. Most patients desired periorbital (62.1%), malar (44.8%) or neck (20.7%) rejuvenation. Skin care regimens included sunscreen (93.1%), spa (24.1%) and medical esthetician (27.6%) facials; skin care was rated highly important (9.4/10) to improving the appearance of facial aging. Subjects heard about treatments from friends (62.1%), newspaper (27.6%), and colleagues (17.2%). Forty-one percent pursued rejuvenation because of recent life-changing events or because of pressure felt to look younger in the workplace (37.9%). Future facial surgery was considered by 62.1% and 48.3% anticipated future treatments.
Conclusion: Patients desiring injectable treatments are highly educated and often seek treatment after a major life event. They are influenced by friends and media, and most consider future surgical intervention. This patient cohort is being prospectively followed to determine if there are psychological benefits to these procedures, and data from validated psychometric questionnaires will be analyzed in this project’s next phase.