8 problems with the medical establishment rejecting beauty

1. Accountability and Monitoring:

The medical establishment ensures that beauty practices, and products are safe for consumers. Consumers need the medical establishment's involvement in the beauty industry. This ensures their safety. 

The medical profession and the beauty industry is well documented historically. From as early as the 18th century, doctors have been involved in discussions around healthy beauty. 

In 1818 Dr J B Mège published Alliance d'hygie et de la beauté. This book advised women on 'beauty secrets' and health practices. This was extremely well received and led to an increase in hygiene practices at the time. It helped set the boundaries of beauty practices, and educate consumers. 

Since that time, systems and establishments have been put in place to monitor the beauty industry. From ensuring safe products to banning some beauty practices, all is done with the safety of the patient in mind. 

Consumers may lack a level of adequate education around healthy beauty practices. Particularly if the medical establishment is absent from the discussion.

2. The role of the educator

We've  all seen articles in magazines where a healthcare practitioner is divulges beauty secrets. 'Can drinking Coffee help you lose weight? An expert reveals the answer'.

THis is just one of the ways the medical industry and the beauty industry have become closely linked. The role of educator has become blurred. 

Consumers go to the beauty industry for answers on medical ailments. These have often caused perceived beauty imperfections. Thankfully, the beauty industry has invited medical professionals into their space.

Rejecting the beauty industry isolates consumers and reduces access to healthcare information.  

3. Beauty or medical procedure?

Some medical procedures could also be considered beauty procedures. Medical treatments carried out by dermatologists for acne interacts with cultural beauty ideals. 

When the beauty industry has an interest in some types of medical practices. The lines become blurred between medical and beauty industry. 

The medical industry should not reject this interest, but rather engage. This way these ideas can be unpacked and discussed. It's important consumers feel comfortable discussing beauty practices with medical professionals. 

4. Opportunity for business growth

Consumers have, to a certain extent, conflated the medical and beauty industries. This means cooperation. But does this have to be a bad thing?

No. 

There is opportunity for both beauty, and medical businesses to grow.  How? Through the inclusion of broader services. 

Consumers value convenience. They'll often choose to use services where they're all in the one spot. Having a medical clinic or rooms close by to a beauty business increases your exposure. 

If you establish a good rapport with the beauty business you can encourage referrals. Beauty practitioners are trusted, and often the first witnesses to healthcare issues. 

Safer, healthier clients for both parties, and increased business. Sounds great!

5. Lack of Trust 

If a  doctor rejects beauty practices, patients might not share a problem that occurred while receiving a beauty treatment. 

Learning new skills. 
Many doctors are now turning to the beauty industry and practising cosmetic medicine. 

Many doctors find practising cosmetic medicine rewarding. Less stress, more family time, increased income and grateful patients. 

6. Losing money

Cosmetic medicine is a lucrative industry. Many patients are willing to pay big bucks for the beauty outcome they're looking for. 

By rejecting the beauty industry, medical practitioners may lose the opportunity to enjoy this influx of cash. 

7. Misunderstandings 

One reason the medical industry rejects the beauty industry is its focus on vanity. 

That is not always the case. Plastic surgery and cosmetic medicine can cause transformation in patient's lives. Improvements in mental health and strengthening of identity have value, independent of vanity.

The perception of vanity in the industry is something professionals must overcome. Too often it is forgotten that these professionals help patients. Facial reconstruction after trauma, breast reconstruction following cancer and much more. 

An increased conversation between the beauty industry and the medical establishment is needed. It's dangerous to dismiss a whole industry on the basis of what is perceived externally. 

There are misunderstandings of the level of training and glamour involved in becoming a cosmetic or aesthetic doctor. 


8. Consumer demand

Consumers want to access beauty products. They trust beauty practitioners and want to use their services. If the medical establishment rejects beauty, it may miss out on understanding patients better. 

The other services a patient uses can impact their health. There may be contraindications between medications and beauty products or services, that a patient is unaware of. The demand of patients must be understood, and they need to be guided. 

With guidance, greater outcomes in both beauty and health can be achieved.  

The beauty industry and medical establishment are linked. This should not be ignored. The benefit can be gained from close discussion and collaboration. 

Want to read more on this topic?

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1172293/

https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/30/us/30plastic.html

https://www.realself.com/news/beauty-industry-standards

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/career/a47142/things-i-wish-i-knew-before-i-became-a-plastic-surgeon/