Face Eyes Nose Conference, Coventry

The non-surgical-focused opening day of the Face Eyes Nose Conference saw plastic surgeons from across the world come together to learn how to maximise their practice with aesthetic treatments.

The conference, which took place at University Hospital Coventry on May 11-15, began its first day with a masterclass in aesthetic surgery of the face. The agenda presented delegates with a clear overview of how aesthetic treatments can complement surgical ones and provided detail on different modalities of treatments.

In the morning, Aesthetics journal editor and sales and marketing professional Amanda Cameron informed delegates how to use their brand to enhance their practice. She spoke about how to create a USP and what to avoid when creating a brand.

Nurse prescriber Lorna Bowes also spoke in the morning, answering questions on whether cosmeceuticals really work. Bowes identified the main ingredients in certain products and explained what their functions are, highlighting an abundance of studies that supported the ingredients’ uses in skincare. She explained that the term ‘cosmeceutical’ is not legally recognised and merely a marketing tool, going on to emphasise the importance of checking products carefully, as any product can brand itself a cosmeceutical despite any clinical evidence of it improving skin.

Before the attendees broke for lunch, consultant plastic surgeon and course convenor Mr Dalvi Humzah took to the podium to deliver a presentation on ‘Cannula or Needle: Assessing the Safety of the Techniques’. He asked the audience which they thought was better; cannula or needle? The majority of the audience raised their hands in support of the needle. Mr Humzah then highlighted the pros and cons of each delivery system and took an in-depth look at the anatomy, stressing the importance of ‘knowing where you’re injecting’, Mr Humzah said, “If you know where your tip is then you’ll always be safe.” He concluded his presentation with a video of himself and a colleague injecting a cadaver and comparing the results between the cannula and needle.

Professor Andy Pickett kicked-off the afternoon and re-engaged the audience with an update on botulinum toxin. He explored the abundance of it’s uses, including latest research that indicates botulinum toxin may be effective in treating obesity; although he acknowledged it would still be ‘a few years’ before it might be licenced for the indication. Professor Pickett claimed that toxin had turned back the anatomy clock and that ‘although botulinum toxin had never saved a life, it had improved the quality’ of the lives of many. He also touched upon the treatment’s effectiveness in skin conditions such as rosacea and the need to be wary of counterfeit products.

The Face Eyes Nose congress also featured an array of international speakers who provided interesting experiences from overseas; Dr Matt White (New York) Dr Bernard Mole (France), Dr Roberto Pizzamiglio (Italy) and Dr Andy Chiang (China). Dr Chang intrigued delegates with his talk on ethical facial contouring, focusing on the desired facial features of Chinese women. The day concluded with a panel Q&A discussion and a drinks and canapés reception.