How Technology is Driving an Aesthetics Revolution

The dependence on video conferencing during the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid growth of aesthetic technologies has set the stage for what industry experts are calling the dawning of the digital age of aesthetics.

“Technology is revolutionizing the beauty industry,” says Dr. Kennedy. “It places more emphasis on personalized experiences, giving consumers the opportunity to be in more control of their beauty decisions, whether that be virtually trying on lipstick before purchasing or, in our case, trying on a cosmetic procedure before booking a consultation.”

In December 2020, AEDIT, the online portal that connects aesthetic patients and providers, conducted an online poll of 1,000 men and women to find out if and to what degree the pandemic has influenced the way Americans see themselves and how the use of technology has influenced the cosmetic treatments they may be interested in having. These findings paint a picture of how consumer behavior has changed, possibly forever:

Patients Want to ‘Try Before They Buy’

It’s a consumer-driven world, and it’s only a matter of time until discerning patients demand providers offer them technology to see results of aesthetic procedures before going under the needle or knife. According to the poll, a majority of respondents wish there was a way to see exactly how surgery would affect their face before making a commitment:

• 55 percent of adults indicated that they would be interested in an app or website that would allow them to see how aesthetic procedures affect their face/looks in a medically accurate way, including 62 percent of women and 67 percent of Millennials and Gen Z

Tech-Driven Patients Are the Future of Aesthetic Medicine

Overall, the AEDIT survey reveals that the pandemic has stoked the fire of a technology-driven revolution in the aesthetic space, which, experts predict will have far-reaching influence in industry trends for the year(s) to come.

“With more time spent online, we’ll see a better educated consumer who’s been using tools like AEDIT to help them make an informed decision every step of the way — from choosing a provider to reading up on their desired treatment,” says AEDIT Beauty Board Member and Beverly Hills facial plastic surgeon, Andrew Frankel, MD.

In terms of a post-pandemic future, Dr. Frankel believes 2021 will begin as 2020 ended: “There might be a lull in elective surgery once the pandemic is cleared and life returns to normal because people will likely not want to be home recuperating at that point: They will long to be out enjoying themselves. As such, promoting injectables and non-surgical procedures will be fruitful right as the world opens up again and people wish to look their best upon reentry.”

About AEDIT: Founded by William A. Kennedy III, MD, a renowned board certified head and neck surgeon and fellowship-trained facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, AEDIT serves as a single destination for trusted, unbiased, and medically approved content and tools in support of every step of the aesthetic journey — from discovery to recovery.