Reflecting on 2023

The year 2023 was marked by substantial growth. Aesthetic medicine practitioners witnessed a significant influx of patients seeking various indications and treatments, many of which were highlighted in various editions of Aesthetic Medicine India. As we step into the new year of 2024, let’s take a moment to look back at 2023 and revisit the trending discussions that shaped the landscape.

Asnapshot of select insights shared by some dermatologists and aesthetic plastic surgeons in 2023:

Dr Ajay Hariani, Senior Plastic, Cosmetic & Laser Surgeon, Vasudhan Plastic, Laser & Cosmetic Surgery

“I emphasise that medical science is not absolute; otherwise, there would be no advancement. Sometimes the equation in medicine is not straightforward.”

Dr Anuya Anil Manerkar, Consultant Dermatologist, Penache

“Hypersensitivity, edema, bruising, Tyndall effect and Intravascular accidents are some of the common issues we come across in these indications.”

Dr Avinash Agrawal, Director Partner at Acube Aesthetics Clinic, and the Chief Consultant Surgeon, Hair Restore at Dr Rajesh Rajput Clinic

“The hair loss industry, so to say, is ever-growing and as machines has dominated humans so has robotic hair transplant become popular.”

Dr Jaishree Sharad, Medical Director, Skinfinitii Aesthetic & Laser Clinic, Mumbai

“Patients who understand the ‘why’ behind their skincare routines are more likely to adhere to treatment plans.”

Dr George Varghese Koluthara, Medical Director, Doctors Aesthetic Centre

“Pico lasers outperform Nano lasers, delivering better results in fewer sessions. They effectively treat a range of skin issues, from acne and atrophic scars to colour tattoos and dermal pigments.”

Dr Aseem Sharma, Chief Dermatologist, Skin Saga Centre of Dermatology

“Gene therapy, which genetically modifies a patient’s genes to promote healthy ageing, is in its infancy but shows great promise for treating a wide range of agerelated diseases and conditions.”

Dr Anju Methil, Celebrity Dermatologist & Cosmetologist, Skin & Shape Clinic

“In comparing injectables and light-based devices, because of my topographic presence, I would prefer another laser machine – maybe, a Q-switch rather than hair removal. It again depends on where you are practicing and what you want to target.”

Dr Geetanjali Shetty, Director, Revitalis Skin Clinic

“The first two years of your career are crucial and should be dedicated to acquiring knowledge about best practices, understanding equipment and finances, mastering marketing strategies, and carefully selecting an optimal location.”

Dr Gulhima Arora, Senior Consultant Dermatologist of Mehektagul Dermaclinic, New Delhi

“Gender aesthetics must be respected and the broad fundamentals must be followed to achieve aesthetically pleasing “male” outcomes. It is also important to balance the male face and not cause too much masculinity as this may sometimes be perceived as aggressiveness.”

Dr Neetu Rajdeo, a Cosmetic Dermatologist

“While initiating your own aesthetic practice with lowcost, low-risk procedures such as chemical peels, invest in a reliable battery machine and related procedures. This can be followed by offering micro ablation and Medi facials. Once these stages are successfully established, the practitioner can gradually introduce injectables, toxins, and fillers based on customer demand in the area. If the business is thriving and everything is on the right track, a larger investment like a laser machine can also be considered.”

Dr Padmavathi Surapaneni, Dermatologist and Cosmetologist at Pragna Skin and Laser Clinic, Hyderabad

“The awareness and acceptance of the safety and efficacy of aesthetic procedures are attracting more people towards these procedures, irrespective of their gender.”

Dr Priya Bansal, Board-certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon, Delhi, NCR

“Body contouring treatment for men and women differs not only in terms of aesthetic goals but also fat cell composition, which again requires different approaches. How fat cells develop, accumulate, and expand so close to muscle tissue makes removal difficult – even with highly targeted liposuction. Here comes the role of using advanced technologies like power-assisted, ultrasonic-assisted devices.”

Dr Parag Telang, Consultant Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon and Founder and Director of Designer Bodyz Centre for Advanced Cosmetic Surgery

“Male aesthetic surgery patients are quite aware of cosmetic surgical options and enquire through email and social media. ”

Dr Vindhya Pai, Dermatologist & Founder, The Skin Clinic

“A comprehensive understanding of the client’s expectations and skin condition is essential to provide safe and effective laser therapy for skin rejuvenation. ”

Dr Priti Shenai, Dermatologist, Skinworks

“As a dermatologist, I believe that inclusivity is one of the most important values that we must uphold in our practice. When it comes to serving the LGBTQ+ community, it is important to understand that hormone therapy can lead to a variety of dermatological conditions like acne and hair thinning. ”

Dr Saumil Shah, Consultant Plastic, Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgeon

“For patients undergoing liposuction, fat grafting can be a feasible option at minimal extra cost since the excess fat would otherwise be discarded. Fillers are an excellent choice for patients seeking a non-surgical option with no downtime, especially when they prefer immediate results. ”

Dr Sandeep Sharma, highly experienced Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon

“Breast reduction surgery, in my experience, has had the highest satisfaction rate among almost all cosmetic surgical procedures. This is probably because this procedure improves the quality of life by correcting physical issues and achieving body proportions. ”

Dr Shweta Nakhawa, Dermatologist, HL Aesthetic Skincare Clinic

“The aspect of financing and investment is often overlooked in medical school, yet it plays a vital role in building a successful business. Seeking the right advice and following a well-informed path is crucial in this regard. ”

Dr Vinay Chouksey, Chief Hair Transplant Surgeon, Wow Cosmetology Centre, Juhu, and Richfeel Hairforever

“I don’t give minoxidil to all patients, but I use it liberally. Patients can become reliant on minoxidil but struggle with compliance. I try to avoid that situation. I prefer doing PRP and DST blockers and then starting my patients on finasteride. I am, however, cautious about who I administer finasteride to. ”

Dr Shubha Kesari, Medical Director & Senior Dermatologist, Nypunya Aesthetic Clinic

“Botulinum toxin injections for frown lines, crow’s feet and forehead lines are popular in men. Since men tend to develop folds and sagging of skin as they grow older and with weight fluctuations, HIFU, RF treatments for skin tightening, chin and jawline fillers are also popular treatments. ”

Dr Preetish Bhavsar, Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon, Lakshmi Hospital

“In cases where patients have concerns such as jowls, a lack of a defined jawline, sagging, or deep nasolabial folds, a face-lift and neck lift can provide a long-lasting and improved appearance.

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Dr Sonia Tekchandani, Consultant Dermatologist, Tender Skin International

“It is important to discuss any potential side-effects, so the patient can make an informed decision and avoid mistrust. Confidentiality should be ensured throughout the entire process to protect the patient’s privacy. ”

Dr Sudhavani Damarla, Consultant Dermatology & Founder, Sri Skin and Cosmetology Centre

“The most common anti-ageing treatments we perform at my clinic are botulinum toxin injections, hyaluronic acid fillers, and nonsurgical facelifts. ”

Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, Hair Transplant Surgeon and Founder, MedLinks Clinic, Delhi

“Androgen hormones, also referred to as “male” hormones, like DHEA and testosterone, play the largest role in overall hair growth. When the levels of these hormones are too high, one may experience excess hair growth, especially on the body or face. However, when the hormone levels drop, the reverse occurs and can lead to thinning hair and even hair loss. ”

Dr SC Rajendran, Dermatologist & Cosmetologist, Cosmetic Skin Care Clinic

“For scar treatment, energy values can be adjusted to target scars on the epidermis and subdermal layers. ”

Dr Viral Desai, Cosmetic & Plastic Surgeon, Co-Founder & Medical Director, DHI India; and Medical Director, CPLSS, Desai Hospitals and Sarla Hospitals; and Founder & Medical Director, Skin Vibes Clinic

“The significance of considering various factors such as age, alcohol intake, smoking, lifestyle, stress, exercise habits, exposure to pollution and sun, and levels of calcium, iron, vitamin B, and D, as they can contribute to hair loss. In some cases, oral medication for nutrition may be necessary to stabilise the condition before starting the hair restoration process. ”

Dr Sahil Mrigpuri, MD Dermatology (P.G.I Chandigarh), Medical Superintendent, Consultant Neelkanth Hospital, Himachal Pradesh

“Exosomes are extracellular vesicles crucial for intercellular communication and transporting bioactive molecules. Stem cell-derived exosomes contain mRNA and play a vital role in the mechanism of hair loss. ”