SMART Ideas Seminar 2019

Traditional medicine, lifestyle medicine, and complementary therapies each offer unique benefits and, when integrated, can address the diverse needs of patients more effectively than any single approach alone. The integration of these approaches is supported by a growing body of research demonstrating their individual and synergistic benefits. This case study explores the management of a patient with a significant medical and psychological history, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive, integrative treatment plan compiled by appropriately qualified medical professionals and usually involves multi-disciplinary involvement.

Karen Sargeant the founder of First Aid for Mental Health training provider Charlie Oscar discusses considerations when assessing patients with ADHD for aesthetic treatments.

Botulinum-related complications are fortunately relatively uncommon and mostly temporary. However they can cause significant problems to both the patient and practitioner. When considering complications it is worth thinking about them in relation to the following categories, Preventio, Recognition/treatment, Recording/reporting. In the following article we will consider some of these points. In particular those complications relating to the use of botulinum toxin in the treatment of upper facial lines in clinical aesthetic procedures.

Dr Martyn King discusses Delayed Onset Nodules and Delayed Onset Reactions related to soft tissue filler treatments. DONs and DORs are swelling, nodules, masses, areas of induration, biofilms, a sterile abscess or granulomas. Dr King investigates the best approach for dealing with a DON or DOR if it is palpable but not visible on the skin, the antibiotic of choice, discusses when/when not to use Hyaluronidase as a first line treatment and the use of fractional lasers to disrupt nodules.

Bioidentical Hormone Restoration Therapy (BHRT) utilises bioidentical hormones, which have an identical chemical structure to the naturally occurring hormones produced in the body. The hormones used in BHRT are completely plant derived from diosgenin found in Mexican wild yams or from soy. These differ from the often synthetic hormones used in conventional HRT such as equine oestrogen (i.e. Premarin) and progestins (such as Provera), which are conventionally used to replace depleted oestrogen and progesterone in menopausal women, to help alleviate symptoms. Rizvan Faruk Batha discusses how personalised BHRT could be the answer to the debilitating symptoms women experience during perimenopause and menopause.

In 2022, the number of prescriptions for HRT had doubled, from five years previously, mainly due to increased awareness and the willingness to now talk about it. One symptom that has become the focus of research is the Genito Urinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM). GSM is a very technical definition for serious and debilitating symptoms that can affect more than 50%-70% of women who have gone through menopause. This article will explore the regenerative treatments available.

This article examines how skin tone bias can affect patients, professionals, assessments, and treatments within the aesthetics industry and what can be done to address this.

Wellbeing is a term we are now hearing more and more widely in the health, aesthetics, and fitness industries. But what does it mean? Wellbeing is a multidimensional concept covering a multitude of social sciences, including psychology and health. While wellbeing is prominent in popular culture now, it has been a concern of many civilisations. In this article, we will explore concept of wellbeing and its historical evolution, identify the relationship between hormones and ageing, particularly the role of cortisol, explore the mind-body connection and its implications for weight management and learn strategies to manage cortisol levels through lifestyle interventions.

The parasympathetic nervous system is a complex beast and can be overwhelming to contemplate in its entirety. However, it is a critical factor to consider when looking to address skin health (and one that is often missed). In this article, Tracey Dennison explores the link between the parasympathetic nervous system and skin health. This article explores how to manage the enteric and parasympathetic nervous system in order to yield the benefits of optimal nervous system functioning whilst understanding how psychological issues impact skin health. Furthermore, it looks at how taking a mind/body/spirit approach to a patient can help improve outcomes.

A practitioner’s guide to the art of saying no. Sleepless nights worrying about dissatisfied, disappointed patients – their unrealistic expectations, manipulative behaviour, the threat they might leave a negative review, the worst-case scenario that they might experience a complication. These are all real concerns we face as practitioners, all things that could happen if we say yes when we should have said no. By developing the skills to know when a patient needs to hear ‘no’ and to deliver it with care, we can prioritise patient safety and well-being in every decision whilst concurrently protecting ourselves.

Are you an aesthetic practitioner looking to enhance your expertise in managing menopausal skin changes? With hormonal fluctuations exacerbating conditions like rosacea, it’s crucial to adopt a nuanced approach to skincare and treatment. This article aims to help you understand the unique skin challenges faced by menopausal women.

This certified online training course is broken down into modules that can be completed over several sessions to fit in with busy clinic schedules. It will identify the most common mistakes and roadblocks that are made, whilst building a tried and tested best practice strategy, avoiding these common pitfalls and increasing their sales conversions.

Unveiling the role of DHEA in human tissue rejuvenation, Tissue regeneration is a complex and highly regulated process involving the replacement of damaged or dead cells with new, functional ones. It plays a pivotal role in maintaining the health and vitality of various tissues, including skin, muscle, bone and organs. DHEA has been studied for its potential to rejuvenate various tissues in the human body. By the end of this article, you will understand the effect of DHEA on common issues of ageing and be able to give examples of the role of DHEA in tissue regeneration.

The aesthetics industry has evolved significantly in recent years, embracing inclusivity and acknowledging the unique needs of individuals with different skin tones. However, despite some advances, aesthetic medicine training and clinical trials have remained largely centred around Caucasian skin, leaving significant gaps in knowledge and clinical training when it comes to treating patients with skin of colour. In addition, treatments and products have been developed with a narrow focus, often overlooking the unique needs of patients with skin of colour. This limitation can result in misdiagnoses, ineffective treatments, and an overall lack of trust in aesthetic practitioners.

Why are we so preoccupied with weight management? Body fatness has been an essential psychosocial issue among humans throughout the world. It is no wonder that the weight loss market valuations were at 192.2 billion in 2019, with projections reaching $295.3 billion by 2027 (Allied Market Research, 2021). Sadly 97% of those who manage to lose weight gain it back within three years to buy the next gimmick (Skyterra 2022). It has been millennia, and we still haven't solved the complexity of weight. The reasons are that obesity is complex and requires a multifaceted approach.