There is no question that zoom calls and working remote has resulted in a somewhat unexpected boon for many of our practices. Many of us are busier than before COVID-19, but even so, our lives have changed dramatically.

Many of us have dealt with illness among our staff, friends, and family. Wearing a mask all day long and all of the other pandemic precautions we are taking in our personal and professional lives is wearing on all of us. Importantly, will we face more shutdowns this winter?

We have been told a vaccine is our only real hope. Despite some bureaucrats who have tried to convince us that a vaccine is years away and any vaccine developed in less time will likely be ineffective and even dangerous, both Pfizer and Moderna have released the early results of their respective phase 3 studies, which were nothing more than amazing. The vaccine that was years away is now ready for distribution to millions, and it appears to be more effective than even the common influenza vaccine—95%! An amazing testament to the work of our outstanding colleagues in the pharma industry and the partnership formed between government and industry when it was most needed.

So major kudos to all involved in Project Warp Speed. We are so proud and thankful of those who designed, administered, and volunteered for the various clinical trials. Hopefully, the negative narrative for the vaccine propagated for political reasons will not provide a blockade to universal participation. We as physicians must set the right example. And while we may not be able to celebrate a completely normal holiday season with family and friends in 2020, perhaps we can all soon come out of hiding and remove the pandemic-specific signs and protocols from our offices.

Finally, what changes that have occurred will stay with us post COVID-19? Will virtual consultations continue to play a major role in our practices? Will the current boom in our practices remain and, if so, for how long? What about the economy and the effect of rapidly accelerating national debt? Can we survive another major economic downturn? Will live CME conferences and meetings return to normal anytime soon? Can our respective societies and organizations regain strength? Will member participation ever be the same? And, most importantly, will the COVID-19 virus still be around a year from now?

Those questions remain to be answered. One thing we can be sure of: We are all ready to put 2020 behind us and see if we can find any normalcy in 2021.

Articles

In his latest editorial, Dr. Randolph Waldman looks forward to 2021 and how COVID-19 will continue to change the aesthetic specialty. 

Looking Forward to 2021

 Perfect Intense Liquid from a well-respected aesthetic representative who was aware of my interest in chemical peels. I have performed many TCA based treatments in my clinic and is quite familiar with that product. That combination of 33% TCA with hydrogen peroxide and Kojic acid used is a bio-revitalization agent seems new and exciting. This made sense as each individual component has a significant merit but this particular combination was new to the aesthetic market.

I had my doubts that this product would offer significant benefit over already existing TCA treatment protocol. Would the ingredients work well together in a synergistic fashion? What would the outcome be for my clients as the product claimed to be “one size fits all”? Would there be a downtime for my patients? Just a few burning questions that popped into my head before agreeing to attend the training session. I have all too often seen and tried new products within the industry with good marketing and poor limited effects which prove to be nothing more than aesthetic fads.

After the first training session with PRX-T

, my skepticism flew out of the window! The immediate results spoke for themselves. The science behind this formulation seemed simple, effective and clever.

This protocol is effective for all Fitzpatrick skin types, can be used year-round and can be combined with other frequently offered procedures such as toxin administration, microneedling, PRP, PDO threads and dermal fillers.

 quickly replaced my standard baseline “peel” as I started using it as a primer before other treatments. Clients would come in requesting PRX-T

 by name, not ever having any kind of aesthetic treatments before. The greatest growth in my first year was from clients booking to have a PRX-T

 session together with their 3-monthly toxin treatments and from there it quickly gained a reputation as a medical grade facial without any actual peeling. Most of my clients are busy executives and cannot afford to have visible downtime. In 2020 more so with the rise in video conferencing and work from home. Hence a quick and effective procedure such as PRX-T

 lead to a high satisfaction level. The easy to follow 3-step application protocol is safe and effective for even the most novel of skins. The profit margins are exceptionally good and PRX-T

 does not require any specialized equipment or devices to perform. All that is required is a steady hand, an applicator and nitrile gloves. It is as easy as that. The application technique remains the same for other areas such as the neck, chest and hands.

 does not cause dreaded post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and this is thanks to the addition of Kojic acid to the formulation.

Patients experience the instant tightening effects, as well as softening of lines and wrinkles together with an overall brightening and radiance of their complexion. Stretch marks and sunspots on the face, neck, décolleté and hands are also effectively improved by using PRX-T

 is a combination treatment with microneedling for the treatment of depressed scars and hyperpigmentation associated with acne. A course of three sessions, one month apart where at each session, a base layer of PRX-T

 is applied to the whole face, immediately followed by mechanical microneedling. This synergistic protocol provides the multiple benefits such as tightening of the depressed scar, lifting from the base, collagen induction and lightening of the post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Significant improvements can be seen from the first session in both texture and tone of the skin. This regimen is just as effective as the previous TCA treatment but significantly decreases healing time and posttreatment morbidity.

This protocol is excellent for clients who have large open pores and require skin tightening and sebum control. Moderate sun damage with hyperpigmented were collagen and elastin stimulation is required can also benefit from this treatment. The results are visible, effective and long-lasting leading to high patient satisfaction.

I had become such a dedicated user of PRX-T

 that I did not hesitate to become the UK trainer for the WiQo portfolio of products when approached, of course with PRX-T

 becoming the leading procedure in skin biorevitalisation.

Dr. Zunaid Alli, MBBCh, MBA, HonsBSc, BSc, London (UK)

Partner Content

Dr. Zunaid Alli shares his journey to evidence-based results: PRX-T33/microneedling in combination for pores and scars. 

Evidence-Based Results: Combining PRX-T33/Microneedling 

Despite the challenges of 2020, there have been several positives the aesthetic specialty has experienced as a result of the pandemic. It has fueled a focus on selfcare for younger generations and an increase in both surgical and nonsurgical aesthetic treatments overall. Virtual meetings have brought the latest in research and technique application to our fingertips—literally. We covered two prominent meetings this fall, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) and the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), right from our computers. Indeed, this medical specialty has adapted and flourished.

In this Winter issue, Dr. Suneel Chilukuri shares his concept of the medical gym membership for functional and aesthetic body contouring treatments, Dr. Sheila Barbarino shares her approach to assessing and injecting the tear troughs, and despite the pandemic, device companies continue to innovate, as Dr. Mathew Avram shared at this year’s virtual ASDS meeting. 

Finally, we’re pleased to share the successes of our Medical World News video outlet (details on page 33). Happy New Year!

Click on the cover below to read the digital issue and let us know what you think on our social media.

In this Winter issue, Dr. Suneel Chilukuri shares his concept of the medical gym membership for body contouring treatments, Dr. Sheila Barbarino shares her approach to injecting the tear troughs, and despite the pandemic, device companies continue to innovate, as Dr. Mathew Avram shared at this year’s virtual ASDS meeting.

Looking Forward: Aesthetic Authority Vol.1: No.4

Looking Forward to 2021

Evidence-Based Results: Combining PRX-T33/Microneedling

Looking Forward: Aesthetic Authority Vol.1: No.4