2020 has been vastly different than anyone could have predicted at the start of the year. This is especially true for non-essential medical offices such as cosmetic practices who were ordered to temporarily close down in most states. These closures required patients to put off previously scheduled cosmetic procedures and treatments. Most industry analysts expected that after cosmetic offices reopened there would be a decline of returning and new patients. The trend is quite the opposite, with many offices seeing a large uptick of patients.
Back and Open for Business
For more than a month, most cosmetic offices were required to remain closed as the country shut down to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Fortunately, this effort paid off, allowing non-essential medical offices to reopen as long as they followed CDC recommendations and requirements from the state. Many cosmetic surgeons expected to return to a slow period as most patients were continuing their quarantine. However, for Dr. Wright at the St. Louis Liposuction Center, a wave of new and former patients were ready to return for their much sought out treatments. Dr. Wright reports an increase of 50% for cosmetic consultations and a 40% increase for new patients. Cosmetic offices such as theirs were prepared for the increase of patient requests as they used the closures to remodel and rework their aesthetics center.
Increase in Consultations
The increase of consultation requests should not come as a surprise with most individuals stuck at home for weeks at a time. One significant portion of new consultation requests are related to makeover and skin care treatments. Extended periods of being at home and inactive can cause blocked pores and less than perfect skin conditions. Many of these new and returning patients are interested in how minimally invasive procedures can help their skin look great again just in time for them to return to society. Treatments such as microdermabrasions and chemical peels can do just that with minimal risks.
Skin care treatments are not the only procedures that are popular with new and returning patients. It can be easy to let our body go, especially during quarantine measures. Patients are realizing that and now looking to receive body contouring procedures such as liposuction where they can enjoy the results without the prying eyes of others. Dr. Leo McCaffery has noticed many patients who work from home are able to get the benefits of liposuction and can even work during recovery periods. Your entire body below the neck is hidden from video conference meetings, so you can easily wear compression sleeves to help your body see the results you want more quickly. Face lifts are another procedure that can be done and have any associated risks such as bruising hidden away; your mask that is worn in public can now do even more than you initially expected. Making sure you look the way you want can be just as important as our physical health.
Additional Treatments for Patients
Most individuals working remotely from home spend a good deal of their day in front of video conference meetings. These applications often have your face front and center, making imperfections even more noticeable. One cosmetic center, The Skin Center, has found that many of their patients are requesting treatments to help get rid of fine lines and wrinkles. Making these unwanted traits less noticeable can be easy for those who do not have to return to a physical work site or are staying home watching the kids.
Virtual Consultations and Other Safety Measures
As anyone could expect, significant changes had to be made to allow cosmetic offices to open again in the world of COVID-19. Most patients should not be surprised when entering their cosmetic office and having their temperature checked. New requirements such as temperature checks, touchless check-ins, and empty waiting rooms will become the new norm. We had rigorous cleaning procedures in place even before COVID-19, but we have added additional measures such as cleaning surfaces as often as every 10-15 minutes. These new practices allow staff and patients to remain safe and six feet apart from others. Another measure that most cosmetic offices now utilize is rescheduling patients who have traveled to states that continue to see a rise in COVID-19 cases. While this might seem like an aggressive stance to take, it ensures everyone in the building can remain safe.
One practice that has been popular with patients is virtual consultations. Before COVID-19, all patients would attend an in-person consultation to discuss their procedure. Now, patients can do this from the safety of their home. Virtual consultations make it easy for staff and patients to discuss what is needed before any in-person interaction is required. If you’re hoping to receive a cosmetic procedure, contact us and schedule a consultation with the St. Louis Laser Liposuction Center—either virtual or in-person—and see how we can help you achieve your goals!
