Editorial
FOR ETHICAL, EVIDENCE-BASED AESTHETIC MEDICINE.
Professor Jean-Paul MENINGAUD
Head, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department. Hôpital Henri Mondor, Créteil, France.
Scientific director of Look et Medecine .
President of the AIME congress.
www.meningaud.com
1/ ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: THE RISKS OF DEMOCRATIZATION AND COMMERCIALIZATION OF AESTHETIC MEDICINE MUST BE COMBATED.
Aesthetic medicine, once confined to specialized clinics and dermatologists' offices, is now ubiquitous.
With the rise of social networking and the growing cult of perfect appearance, demand for these treatments has exploded.
However, this democratization is accompanied by considerable risks: the proliferation of "fake injectors", online sales of adulterated dermal fillers and unregulated practices threaten consumer health.
In the face of these abuses, it has become imperative to advocate a rigorously evidence-based approach to aesthetic medicine.
2/ FIRST OBJECTIVE: IT IS THAT AESTHETIC MEDICINE PRACTICES ARE BASED ON SOUND SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE.
Research must be the pillar on which treatments are built, ensuring not only their efficacy but also their safety.
The role of laboratory research in the development of products for aesthetic medicine is essential and deserves special attention.
Committed to intensive research and development (R&D), these laboratories are at the forefront of innovation, constantly striving to improve the safety and efficacy of aesthetic treatments.
This serious approach is fundamental, as it not only enables us to offer advanced, personalized solutions to patients, but also ensures that new technologies and substances are rigorously tested and validated according to strict scientific standards.
R&D investments are also facilitating the emergence of less invasive techniques, offering more natural results and shorter recovery periods, in line with modern consumer expectations.
By supporting responsible, patient-centred research, the laboratories are making a direct contribution to establishing a practice of aesthetic medicine that respects ethical and professional principles, thereby reinforcing public confidence in these treatments.
This commitment to excellence and innovation is essential to maintain quality and safety standards in a constantly evolving field.
Professionals in the sector must commit to high-quality initial and continuing training, in conjunction with university courses and learned societies.
By drawing on the latest scientific advances to offer quality care, while guaranteeing transparent pricing and controlled medical follow-up. To avoid the complications often associated with unscrupulous practices.
3/ SECOND OBJECTIVE: THE REGULATION OF AESTHETIC MEDICINE BY HEALTH AUTHORITIES MUST PLAY A CENTRAL ROLE.
Health authorities must impose strict standards for the certification of practitioners and the approval of the products used. A robust legal framework is essential to deter and severely punish illegal practices.
This includes combating the online sale of unapproved beauty products, which not only pose a public health risk but also discredit the entire profession.
With this in mind, the Conseil National de l'Ordre des Médecins recently took a decisive step by promoting the creation of an inter-university diploma (DIU) in aesthetic medicine.
This initiative aims to regulate the number of practitioners and improve the quality of care. The introduction of this diploma will provide a right to the title, setting a high standard for the profession.
At the same time, a system for validating acquired experience will be introduced, reflecting the same desire to enhance the skills of professionals in the sector.
These developments represent a major step forward, and I have had the honor of coordinating a working group for this DIU, which will see the light of day from the start of the 2024 academic year.
4/ THIRD OBJECTIVE: WE NEED TO ESTABLISH A CULTURE OF TRANSPARENCY AND PATIENT EDUCATION.
Consumers must be fully informed of the potential risks and benefits of aesthetic procedures.
This implies clear communication on the qualifications of practitioners, the substances injected and treatment protocols.
Patient education is essential to enable them to make informed choices and recognize dubious offers.
5/ IN CONCLUSION
For high-quality aesthetic medicine to keep pace with the inevitable increase in demand, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that it develops safely and responsibly.
By promoting an evidence-based approach to aesthetic medicine, reinforcing the regulation of practices by trained, assessed and competent physicians, and cultivating patient education so that they take care to verify the seriousness of the care offers made to them, we can help protect public health while upholding the integrity of this medical discipline.
Only ethical and transparent aesthetic medicine can truly meet the growing needs of our society. while maintaining public confidence.
