Influence of the pandemic dissemination of COVID-19 on facial rejuvenation: A survey of Twitter

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination or Infection on the Safety and Efficacy of Aesthetic Injections: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Aesthetic injections have become increasingly popular for maintaining a youthful appearance. However, with the rise of SARS-CoV-2, there have been concerns about potential complications. This study aims to summarize and understand the complications that occur in individuals who have received cosmetic injections after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination. By doing so, we hope to provide recommendations to minimize these complications and ensure the safety of aesthetic treatments in the current COVID-19 era.

METHODS

The PRISMA guidelines, the Preferred Reporting Program for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, were used for this review. Databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, Web of Science and ScienceDirect were searched. The last search time of each database was May 10, 2023. In addition, relevant references were manually searched.

RESULTS

A total of 26 studies containing 139 patients were searched. The complication with the highest percentage of reported patients was delayed inflammatory response (DIR) (n = 68; 48.92%), followed by diminished efficacy (n = 45; 32.37%) and filler reaction (n = 12; 8.63%). The remaining complications include hypersensitivity reactions, symptomatic hypercalcemia, sub-acute hypersensitive reactions, hyperalgesia, infection, fat necrosis and granulomatous reaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Cosmetic injectable procedures are generally safe but may have adverse effects, particularly during the pandemic. It is important for individuals to fully understand these risks beforehand. Clinicians should be knowledgeable about adverse event mechanisms and management to prevent issues. Industry leaders should strengthen risk management efforts to ensure safe and steady development of cosmetic injections. Overall, a comprehensive understanding, effective communication and risk management are crucial for the safe use of cosmetic injectable procedures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors at www.springer.com/00266 .

Facial Rejuvenation: A Global Trend of Dermatological Procedures in the Last Decade

Background

We aimed to track the global trend of cosmetic treatment outcomes for facial rejuvenation and the differences in modalities used in East Asian and Western populations.

Methods

Articles reporting on facial rejuvenation procedures (invasive/noninvasive) were identified in PubMed from 2013 to March 2023 and bibliometrically analyzed for type of published document, citation frequency, authors with most articles, author's affiliation, and frequency distribution of keywords.

Results

From 553 articles, most were published in 2021 (n = 86, 15.6%). Western countries (n = 323, 58.4%) contributed more than East Asian (n = 230, 41.6%), with more invasive interventions (n = 355, 64.2%) than noninvasive techniques (n = 198, 35.8%). Numbers of invasive techniques in West versus East Asian countries were 225 (40.7%) versus 135 (24.4%). Main indications were the reduction of facial wrinkles and antiageing treatments. Hyaluronic acid, fillers, and botulinum toxin were the main hotspots for invasive treatments, whereas laser, platelet-rich plasma, and radiofrequency were for noninvasive treatments. Nasolabial folds (13.4%) and glabellar lines (12.4%) were the top research hotspots in the East Asian and Western regions. Common adverse events were pain, erythema, swelling, and bruising. Approximately, 89.3% of publications were from single countries, whereas 10.7% of publications were from international collaborations. Most articles (n = 387; 69.95%) presented their findings using level II evidence. Dermatological surgery (IF = 2.914) had the greatest number of publications (n = 109; 19.71%).

Conclusions

The main hotspots were antiaging and youthfulness. This study provides a trend and a new perspective on the future research directions in the field of facial rejuvenation.

Use of Micro Botulinum Toxin for a Face-lifting Effect: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Micro-Botox (Micro-btx) was described in 2000 for the paralysis of superficial muscle fibers to address facial rhytides. Increasingly, there are reports of its off-label use for a face-lifting effect.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the literature for such results.

METHODS AND METHODS

A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA; only Level ≥ III evidence from 2000 to 2020 were included. Data extracted include patient demographics, type of botulinum toxin, dilution, dosage, injection sites and spacing, needle size and syringe, follow-up, patient and physician assessment, and complications.

RESULTS

Three hundred seventy-two patients (average 35.2 years) underwent different botulinum toxin injections (average 39 units/hemiface) of varying dilutions with 30- to 32-G needles, typically with 1-mL syringes, by forming 0.2- to 0.5-cm wheals 1 cm apart. Follow-up averaged 10.5 weeks with both subjective and objective assessments. Facial asymmetry and minor bruising were common. Subjective assessment of face-lifting effects between patients and physicians was highly discordant and injection sites reported were highly variable.

CONCLUSION

Much heterogeneity in dosage, injection sites, definition of "face-lifting," and assessment methods remain, all of which preclude accurate and objective evaluation of the current evidence for micro-btx. Future studies should address these variables, given the growing interest in such nonsurgical options for a face-lifting effect.

Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted Interest in Cosmetic Facial Plastic Surgery?: A Google Trends Analysis

Facial cosmetic surgery trends are evolving in the current climate of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study was to evaluate public interest in elective facial plastic surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic including the period of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution using Google Trends. A Google Trends analysis was completed using popular terms related to facial cosmetic surgery and procedures from March 2017 to August 2021. Three stages were identified (baseline, pre-COVID-19 vaccine distribution, and post-COVID-19 vaccine distribution). Descriptive statistics were calculated and two-tailed t-tests were performed between the pre-vaccine and the post-vaccine phases. Linear regression analysis was also performed to determine percent deflection of search terms. There was significantly greater interest in facial aesthetic procedure search terms, except for tear trough filler, during the post-COVID-19 vaccine phase compared with the pre-COVID-19 vaccine phase. There was greater interest in lower facial procedure interest during this phase compared with upper facial procedures (p-value = 0.0011). The search terms with the greatest deflection percentage during the post-vaccine phase were lip filler, brow lift, and lip flip. There continues to be high demands of facial plastic surgery and procedures despite COVID-19 pandemic.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Patient Interest in Facial Plastic Surgery

Background:

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to an unforeseen surge in demand for facial plastic surgery (FPS). The objective of this study was to survey patients who pursued cosmetic FPS during COVID-19 to better understand how changes in lifestyle, digital media usage, and their facial self-image influenced their decision to pursue surgery.

Methods:

A web-based survey was sent to 150 patients who had undergone FPS at an outpatient clinic between May 1 and July 30, 2020. Questions included changes in patients’ lifestyle habits, use of video conferencing and social media, Likert scale ratings of motivational factors to pursue FPS, and changes in perception of their own facial aesthetics during COVID-19.

Results:

The survey response rate was 41%. Overall increases in video conferencing for social (79% of respondents) and occupational (73%) purposes, and social media usage (82%) were noted. The most commonly cited motivating factors to pursue FPS during COVID-19 were having ample privacy from family, friends, and co-workers (77%) and not requiring extended leave of absence from work (69%) during the postoperative recovery period. Patients were more aware of their nose than any other facial feature during COVID-19 compared to prior.

Conclusions:

The popularity of FPS during COVID-19 can be partially attributed to increased usage of video conferencing and social media, digital applications which often accentuate personal and idealized facial aesthetics. As surgeons adjust to increased demand for FPS, a better understanding of patient perspectives and motivations can help optimize doctor–patient relations and the delivery of care.

Changes in purchasing patterns in the beauty market due to Post-COVID-19: Literature review

Background

With online purchases' skyrocketing due to COVID‐19, there has been a big change in the beauty products consumers' purchase.

Aims

The purpose of this paper was to review the literature focusing on changes in purchasing patterns in the beauty market after COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

This review paper is a literature review, and the method is a narrative review.

Results

The past and present purchasing of beauty products were rapidly changed. The cosmetics and many beauty products were increased purchasing rate due to marketing of Wanghong broadcasting. Also, the non–face‐to‐face market environment has expanded after COVID‐19.

Conclusion

As COVID‐19 pandemic changes consumer values and lifestyle, its role and function are changing and its purchasing patterns are altered.