Wellness and mental health
Practitioners must be mindful of both their patients' and their own mental health
Mental health also plays a central role in this paradigm shift, with practitioners increasingly attuned to their patients’ psychological well-being.
Statistics reveal a significant correlation between mental health and aesthetic procedures, suggesting that of adults who suffer from depression and anxiety, 42% would be more likely than the average adult to consider a procedure in the next year.
However, it's essential for practitioners to ethically assess and support patients, even if it means declining treatment in cases where mental health concerns are prevalent.
Our annual survey showed that the majority of practitioners had turned patients away, with only 13% saying they had never turned a patient away. Encouragingly, 91.5% said they were routinely looking out for patients displaying any mental health problems, in particular, body dysmorphia.
You can read our articles in collaboration with integrative psychologist Kimberley Cairns on safeguarding and supporting patient mental health for more on this.
Healthcare practitioners traditionally don’t make time for themselves. They are often more focused on others. Research carried out by Safety in Beauty in 2022 showed eight in 10 clinic owners have experienced ‘Beauty Business Burnout’, with seven out of 10 professionals running a business in beauty or aesthetics also admitting to being overwhelmed.
It's important, therefore, to make time for your own well-being practices. Dr Manav Bawa, Time Clinic, says “Taking time for your own mental health is really important. We see patients, we run our clinics, we’ve got the business side of things, we may be teaching or talking at conferences, so there’s a lot of prep that goes into that. Plus, there’s family life and children and all of the other commitments that we may have. It’s really important to take 10-20 minutes a day if you can just meditate or do something that you enjoy doing. I’m trying to do that, and it’s always tricky trying to find the balance of life. But it’s something that I’m searching for.”
“I too burn out and have done so more in the last two years. The recovery of that is difficult. People generally stop what’s caused the burnout and reset. I find that if I stop, because I am not practised at stopping work, I get more agitated and more upset, so I tend to take half a day or a couple of hours and sleep. I am always a bit more burnt out when I am tired. So I try to sleep and get on top of it. I don’t work well under extreme pressure, so I tend to never get myself into that situation. Other than dealing with burnout, I try to avoid burnout, overwhelm, and anxiety by planning things in advance.”
In conclusion, the integration of wellness into aesthetic medicine represents a new frontier in aesthetics. As consumers increasingly prioritise holistic well-being, aesthetic clinics have an opportunity for professional growth and differentiation. By diversifying your service offerings and adopting a more holistic approach, you can attract a broader clientele, enhance the overall patient experience and contribute to better treatment outcomes and overall satisfaction.
Yes, I already do this
Not at the moment, but it's something I would consider
This is not a priority for me
