Without question the current pandemic has emerged and established itself as the most challenging crisis confronting humanity on a global scale since the catastrophe of the second world war.

For medical practitioners, novel problems have emerged particularly in the disciplines of emergency and intensive care. However, no aspect of medical practice has remained unaffected.

Dermatologists have not only chronicled new sequelae related to the Covid-19 virus that demand recognition and effective therapeutic interventions, but have also had to manage acute and chronic dermatological comorbidities. (1)

Meanwhile aesthetic surgery has largely been set aside until it is deemed safe to resume elective and discretionary cases.

While nothing can replace the mystic forum of the auditorium and the corridor, educational and collegiate organizations such as IMCAS have adapted remarkably well to the postponement of live in-person aesthetic medical events.

However, one can only anticipate a heightened sense of appreciation in favor of live congresses when such events can ultimately resume. While we have witnessed intense development in innovative technology-based forums, nothing can match the human appeal of live interactive attendance.

So, this segues into related deliberation that explores the expectations of aesthetic patients in the time of Covid.

There will be a need to gauge whether society has been sufficiently altered by the pandemic. Having been confronted by more grounded challenges, will human values and priorities undergo an inevitable reorganization? If so, for how long?

It is interesting to observe the rapid demise of “social influencers” during this pandemic. (2)

Society has perhaps justifiably rejected their relevance in a world confronted by global illness, death and poverty. Presently we hear very little of social celebrities and their lifestyles. Concurrently there has been a heightened appreciation of medical and paramedical personnel for their efforts in the current crisis.

So, aesthetic practitioners have two challenges to manage.

The first challenge is to successfully transit the immediate crisis in good health while remaining educated and informed in our speciality field.

In this regard, the IMCAS organisation should be especially acknowledged for its innovations such as the Library, Webinars and Academy that have supported this educational and interactive necessity. It has been an exceptional force and indeed an educational lifeline for thousands of aesthetic practitioners obligated into isolation during the Covid crisis.

The second challenge is to anticipate the possible changes in patient expectation and demand.

In all likelihood patients will be constrained by varying degrees of fiscal moderation. This will naturally impact on the type of procedures they will be in a position to afford. Accordingly, economically attractive options may take precedent over less affordable and complex choices.

Along with the demise of the celebrity social media influencer phenomenon, it will be particularly interesting to observe whether the sobriety of Covid-19 experience will result in patient expectations that depart from ubiquitous requests for excessive modification.

For the majority of aesthetic practitioners who incline towards the creation of elegance and subtlety, the gravitas of Covid-19 turmoil may serendipitously support the reversal of a protracted trend favouring unnatural outcomes.

If so, it may herald an aesthetic epoch that will be welcomed by many.

References
1. https://www.jaad.org/content/collection-covid-19
2. https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/04/influencers-coronavirus-arielle-charnas-escape-new-york