Welcome to The Aesthetics Edit™ - our educational platform at the intersection of art, beauty, medicine and science.
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A Trip Back in Time: 100 Years of Cosmetic Medicine
Modern practices of cosmetic medicine can be traced back to the turn of the 20th century, but these stories and the people they are made up of are often relegated to being curious footnotes in medical history.
I want to take you on a little trip back in time, 100 years ago, to see the birth of modern cosmetic medicine in the States and the UK. You’ll read about non-medical charlatans, and some of the pioneers of this medical specialty. Of greater interest, you will see the parallels between the unregulated practice of a century ago, and the field of medical aesthetics in the UK today.
Unproven? Things About Botulinum Toxin That Even Doctors Get Wrong
There are a few often-quoted “facts” or assumptions around botulinum toxin that are actually currently unproven. But, even more surprising, these are potential misconceptions that persist even amongst fellow clinicians. I wanted to share some of the most fascinating with you!
This article is aimed at other cosmetic clinicians, but contains information that anyone who is interested in medical aesthetics might find enlightening!
Minerals & Skin: An Essential Guide
“Mineral” is a word that is often used when discussing various substances in our diets, but actually getting to the bottom of what we are talking about can be quite confusing!
As more and more research emphasises that a well-balanced diet has a great effect on skin health and skin ageing, more interest is turning to the role that diet plays in skin.
In this article we will summarise the roles of minerals for our skin health, and explain where you can find these minerals in your food!
Turn That Frown Upside Down: Can Botox Help Depression?
It comes as no surprise to hear that cosmetic medicine and psychology are interconnected, and that medical aesthetic treatments have the ability to have a dramatic effect - both positive and negative - on our mental health.
While a lot of the focus in this area is around serious issues like body dysmorphia, which highlights the importance of always going to an ethical medical professional who has the competence of diagnose and manage complex health issues - it is also worthwhile looking at the positive mental health effects this treatment can have.
One of the areas that I find the most fascinating is the role that Botox treatments have in depression. Early research is strongly indicating that Botox improves the symptoms of depression! So what do the studies show, and how does this work?
An Easy Guide to Aftercare Dos and Don’ts of Injectable Treatments (And How Worried You Should Be!)
I’m always fascinated when I speak to patients from different clinicians. We seem give different aftercare advice, to be worried about different things, and it always seems to be so inconsistent!
There are some things we warn about, but that are actually quite low risk. There are other things we warn about, that should very much be paid attention to!
So here is your handy aftercare guide to the dos and don’ts after injectables.
Cleopatra Metrodora: The First Female Cosmetic Surgeon in the Ancient World
Cleopatra Metrodora is an incredible and fascinating figure from the ancient world: an example of one of the first ever female physicians in a time where men absolutely dominated the scientific and medical landscape.
While she focused her surgical procedures on women’s health issues, mostly in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology, she also pioneered the first documented instances of cosmetic surgery in women.
A Brief History of Aesthetic Medicine and Plastic Surgery in China
Ideals of beauty and approaches to aesthetic medicine vary across time and across the world. But make no mistake, the pursuit of youth and beauty has always been a fundamental part of being human.
We explored this concept broadly in our article about the history of aesthetic medicine, but for this piece I wanted to focus on a place close to my heart: Asia. I am half-Chinese, and was lucky enough to grow up with plenty of Chinese culture through my mother and my grandparents. I was also interested to look at the history of plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine in this part of the world, particularly as plastic surgery is now booming in countries like South Korea and China.
So let’s explore a brief history of aesthetic medicine and plastic surgery in China.
Why There is No Science (and No Safety) Behind Clean Beauty
I know! How could anyone dislike “clean beauty?”
On the surface, the concept sounds great, doesn’t it? Finding products that are safe for you and your family. But the bottom line is it is actually all a load of nonsense.
Let’s find out why there is no science (or safety) behind clean beauty.
Five Easy Skin Tips for Winter
As we are fully into autumn and winter is fast approaching, you might notice slight skin changes coming with the colder weather. In chilly, dry temperatures your skin can easily become more dehydrated. Even when we step indoors into warm, heated rooms, the air is still very drying!
We’ve put together a few quick, simple tips to help support your skin during the colder months.
The Best Skincare Ingredients for Sensitive Skin
What are the best skincare ingredients for sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin is all down to an issue with the skin barrier, where your skin is not working effectively to protect you from environmental irritants, and you’re more likely to feel stinging or discomfort when you encounter any insult or challenge to your skin. When it comes to good skincare ingredients, basically it’s all about barrier repair.
The Twin Study: Thirteen Years of Botox
Everyone is sharing and talking about the thirteen-year Botox twin study!
This study is old news, but it’s recently been doing the rounds on social media and it’s not surprising that so many people love it! In 2006, Dr William J Binder of the UCLA School of Medicine published a paper titled “Long-term effects of botulinum toxin type A (Botox) on facial lines: a comparison in identical twins.”
It’s a great example of what subtle, beautiful, and professional done Botox can look like when completed by a medical professional. It’s a great example of Botox as prevention.
What’s the Problem with Parabens and Other Preservatives?
Parabens have managed to get an (unfairly) bad reputation for themselves in the last decade, with companies bending over backwards to declare their products “paraben-free.” It’s very hard, when you are constantly bombarded with that statement, to not feel as if there might be a reason to avoid parabens. But I’m going to explain to you that not only are they safe in your products - preservatives are absolutely necessary for anything you put on your skin!
The Best Skincare Ingredients for Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is a famously difficult skincare concern to tackle. First of all, there are so many different causes and types of hyperpigmentation, and they can really vary in severity. In this article for the Edit we cover the best skincare ingredients for hyperpigmentation.
I Need a Skincare Hero
Do you need a skincare hero? Are you not sure where to start with skincare? We have the answers here.
Start simple and with the basics: cleanse, moisturise, and protect.
Get expert advice - beware “influencers” or the bloggers without medical or scientific training where information is often mixed and biased for various reasons.
The Best Skincare Ingredients for Acne
Acne is an incredibly common skin concern, one that I deal with frequently as a cosmetic doctor. And, like most people, it’s an issue that I’ve suffered with myself, so I’m very aware of the effect it can have on your skin confidence.
In this article we are tackling the top skincare ingredients for acne, and exactly how and why they work!
The concept of “Instagram face” is not a new one, but has received more recent attention as Meta has banned filters that encourage plastic surgery. Awareness of the role that social media and photo editing plays in aesthetic medicine is incredibly important for both clinicians and patients. The influence of social media can be incredibly negative, and it means it’s more important than ever to navigate between good, ethical medical practice versus “selling” cosmetic procedures.