On September 26-29, aesthetic manufacturer Alma flew a group of UK practitioners and press to the idyllic seaside location of Pattaya in Thailand for the Alma Academy 2024.
The conference saw 340 practitioners from 33 countries gather to hear the latest on synergistic and advanced usages of Alma devices for a plethora of indications. This year’s event was also an opportunity to mark Alma’s 25th anniversary.
Lior Dayan, CEO of Alma Lasers, said, “Over the past 25 years, we’ve partnered with numerous clinics to advance the field of aesthetic treatments, consistently delivering clinically proven, high-value solutions that ensure exceptional patient experiences. Together with our partners, we will continue this legacy, driving innovation and excellence to shape the future of the aesthetic specialty and empower even more individuals worldwide.”
In an exclusive press roundtable, Dayan further discussed the company’s focuses and priorities for the future. The idea of personalised combinations took centre stage as patients are increasingly seeking a holistic approach to their aesthetic concerns. He emphasised that regenerative methods are set to play a big role here, with treatments such as Profhilo, exosomes, bioremodellers, stem cells and more having the potential to not only enhance results, but aid in skin prep and healing. “We want to deliver maximum kick, with minimum impact,” he said.
Two days of advanced learning
Alma Academy welcomed 17 speakers from across the world to the stage to share their expertise on areas including skin rejuvenation, pigmentation, acne, facial contouring and more. Treating scars appeared to be an area of particular focus at this Academy, with cases and treatment approaches to a range of different scars showcased by practitioners including Professor Ofir Artzi, Dr Krishan Mohan Kapoor, Dr Shraddha Desai and Dr Cemal Kavasogullari from the UK.
The multiple case studies shared over the two days were a particular highlight, often eliciting impressed gasps from the crowd as they appeared on screen. Practitioners were also given the opportunity to showcase their own studies in the Fast & Furious session, in which six practitioners took to the stage for two minutes each to impress with their cases. The ultimate winner was Dr Lec Krenar Dobroshi from Kosovo, who presented a patient whose periorbital area had been rejuvenated with Alma devices.
The conference was clearly a prime opportunity to discuss innovative treatment approaches, such as using the Soprano device to achieve facial contouring – an idea which was presented by South Korean practitioners. Practitioners could also use device-focused break out sessions to gain specific insights on Alma’s hero products: Harmony XL PRO, Opus, Hybrid and PrimeX.
After speaking on stage across both days, Dr Kavasogullari reflected, “What stood out most to me at the Alma Academy was the collective willingness to share expertise and elevate the field of aesthetics together. In my presentations, I aimed to emphasise not only the physical transformation, but also the profound psychological impact that these treatments can have on our patients. It was an honour to be able to share these stories with a worldwide audience and contribute to the broader dialogue on the evolving role of aesthetics in comprehensive healthcare.”
Networking and connecting in style
Alma is always guaranteed to bring the party, and the 2024 Academy was no exception. The event represented an exceptional opportunity to connect with practitioners from across the globe, not only during the conference, but at the after parties too.
The first night brought an all-white, full moon beach party, complete with champagne, seafood barbecue, sashimi station, Alma branded coconuts, foot massages, photo opportunities and so much more. The night ended with a DJ set and dancing, impressive Thai fire show and firework display on the beach to mark the occasion with a bang.
The event was rounded off with a formal dinner at the beautiful Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, with signature cocktails, a sit down meal, traditional Thai dance show, dancefloor and more. As Lior Dayan remarked, working with Alma means being of an exclusive and welcoming club, and the Academy most certainly demonstrated this.
Alma’s development in the UK
Alma Academy 2024 fell at a time when the UK division of the company is shifting and growing, recently partnering with Revanesse to exclusively distribute its dermal filler products in the UK. This reflects the CEO’s assertion that working in combination with other procedures is set to be Alma’s future, creating even more well-rounded and long-lasting treatment plans.
