In the third month of not only a new year, but a new decade, many of us are focusing on moving forward and the advancements within the aesthetics sector. Let's begin by looking back at the steps we have made to progress and innovate the industry and its standards. March 2020 marks a year since the Journal of Aesthetic Nursing (JAN) launched its Ethics in Aesthetics campaign, which aimed to not only support the incredible work of aesthetic practitioners, their duty of care to patients and proper training, but to celebrate them too.
Fast forward a year into the campaign, and we have had some amazing articles from some expert writers and nurses. Authors have explored a plethora of key issues to help encourage and support ethical practice, ranging from clinical topics, such as treating transgender patients, skin picking disorder and aesthetic procedures and considering eating disorders, to boosting business with ethical behaviour and outlining the responsibilities and qualities of an ethical trainer.
The Ethics in Aesthetics campaign not only aims to assist practitioners with ethical practice, it also helps in supporting vulnerable patients. We are all aware that overtreatment of patients is a common issue in aesthetics, which is why the campaign encourages natural enhancements. However, when does overtreatment point to body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), or even an eating disorder?
Mental health has become a key focus in aesthetics, gradually making its way into the limelight for practitioners and at conferences and events around the UK. As more is understood about mental health conditions such as BDD, and the stigma is removed, screening processes can be developed and improved to ensure patients are kept safe and their health comes first. As many readers will be aware, patients with BDD will often seek aesthetic treatments to change the area of their body that they are fixated on. However, as the actual psychological issue is not being dealt with (i.e. psychiatric help), they will quickly become dissatisfied with the treatment outcome and seek procedures over and over again, resulting in an overtreated and unnatural appearance. This can be avoided by having a screening procedure in place at the point of consultation.
As issues such as BDD and ethical practice are ongoing, and arguably more relevant than ever with ‘Instagram face’ stealing the headlines, as patients are actively seeking out ‘edited’ appearances and ‘essentially want[ing] to airbrush [their] face’ with aesthetic procedures (Ewens, 2020), JAN will be continuing the Ethics in Aesthetics campaign. Look out for the purple frame and logo for articles written in association with the campaign. Follow us on Twitter @JAestheticNurse or email the editor at JAN@markallengroup.com if you would like to get involved by writing an article or to just share your thoughts.