For aesthetic practitioners in the UK, the Aesthetics Conference and Exhibition (ACE) is simply a must-visit. ACE 2023 successfully took place at the London's Business Design Centre, from March 10-11. While regular attendees of ACE noted less busy halls this year, the event was still nothing short of exciting!
With a plethora of talks to attend, practitioners seize the 2 days to update their knowledge of the newest technologies in aesthetics, or to learn about new business platforms for purposes of managing their practice. Side by side with their competitors, dozens of companies from the UK and beyond take the chance to understand where they stand in the increasingly competitive aesthetics industry. Some business management companies were also there to help practitioners improve their clinics' administration.
What did ACE 2023 bring?
Aside from multiple rows of vibrant stands (many featuring technology standing at the forefront of the industry), another highlight of ACE was the series of well-received educational sessions. This year's talks were strategically organised into three groups:
- Masterclass Agenda, where speakers talked about the business aspects of running a practice. Sessions here were highly practical; attendees were given tips on branding, managing time, building a social media presence, what to do with negative reviews, etc
- Innovation Stage, where researchers introduced updated biotech research, in many cases explaining how some aesthetic surgeries are planned. Issues of medical complications were of high interest here
- In Practice Theatre, where some companies talked about emerging developments in research and how it related to their products.
Strolling past high-tech equipment and bottles of sample products, there were a few publishers at ACE, which of course included us! We were delighted to meet many of our board members across the 2 days, also to talk about a recent development we are very proud of: the JANcast (our official podcast).
» I came across quite a few young nurses who voiced concern over the lack of support in accessing training in aesthetic nursing.«
Thought-provoking conversations at ACE 2023
As editor, aside from catching up with updated research in skin rejuvenation, medical complications, and business planning for clinics, I engaged in some highly stimulating conversations with practitioners. Some of the key conversations that emerged touched upon the following topics:
Putting one's foot in the door: The rocky road of navigating the aesthetics industry
Traditionally, aesthetic nurses tend to be highly experienced nurses from the NHS system. In recent years, however, there seems to be a new generation of aesthetic nurses emerging fresh out of university. The road to aesthetic nursing, however, isn't without challenge.
At ACE, I came across quite a few young nurses who voiced concern over the lack of support in accessing training in aesthetic nursing. Many of them are interested in the industry, but simply do not know how to get their foot in the door. A lot of them, hence, hoped to seek advice from more experienced practitioners at the conference.
Which clinic should I choose for my aesthetic surgery?
Lead Nurse Cheryl Barton insightfully mentioned in the foreword of our February issue, a worrying number of patients are not aware of the qualifications that a nurse should hold in the aesthetics industry. This phenomenon is concerning – a lack of knowledge in this regard could result in patients turning themselves to untrained nurses, often with the incentive of paying lower prices for their desired surgeries. It is therefore pivotal for media outlets to raise even more awareness on the nurse qualification system in the aesthetics industry. How these qualifications can be checked is another matter to be discussed more.
Nurse-patient communication via consent forms
At ACE, I grabbed the chance to interview early practitioners and their deepest concerns in their practice. In addition to medical complications, another common anxiety pertained to communication via consent forms. A frustrated nurse from Edinburgh, for example, described how her patients would often rush to sign a consent form without reading it carefully. She also mentioned that aesthetics terminology isn't always easily explainable or accessible for patients, and medical literacy is something she was hoping to build among her patients. In addition to being a practitioner, she also had to play the role of a medical educator.
Aesthetics beyond the UK and what they have to offer
What made ACE intriguing for me is also the involvement of a small number of companies beyond the United Kingdom. Aesthetic medicine, after all, is an interest for humans generally, and there is benefit in understanding how other countries are developing with regard to aesthetic technology.
I personally wished to see more participation from other continents, as demand for aesthetic treatments often differ according to cultural values and perhaps to a certain extent, differences in genetic tendencies. Being sensitive to this international element could truly be beneficial to the UK, especially given its highly diverse racial and cultural population.
» It would likely be exciting if more future stands could represent services related to hair restoration or reduction, body contouring, and scar management «
So much to see, but also so much missed?
When strolling down the exhibition hall, I could not help but notice that a huge number of stands featured products for skin rejuvenation, anti-aging, or rhinoplasty. There is no doubt, however, that the aesthetics industry entails much more than these. It would likely be exciting if more future stands could represent services related to hair restoration or reduction, body contouring, and scar management. Male aesthetic surgeries can also be an area of interest.
ACE 2024
Whether you have missed this year's ACE, or this past event has left you craving for more, you would be delighted to know that registration of interest is already officially open for ACE 2024! Note, however, that this is merely a registration of interest, not an actual registration for the upcoming event.