Aesthetics reports on the highlights of the 11th RSM Aesthetics conference
Around 300 doctors, dentists, surgeons and nurses gathered at the Royal Society of Medicine on February 22 for its 11th annual aesthetics conference.
The agenda was introduced by aesthetic practitioner and chairman of the organising committee Dr Patrick Treacy and consultant dermatologist Dr Christopher Rowland Payne, who outlined that the aim of the day was to ‘bring together a multi-professional faculty and delegate community to identify and discuss the best options for clinical care’. Then Professor Karl Grammer, who specialises in human ethology, gave a talk on evolutionary aesthetics and the perception of human beauty.
In the morning, presentations were held on facial anatomy and eye rejuvenation with talks from consultant plastic and cosmetic surgeon Mr Adel Fattah, consultant plastic and craniofacial surgeon Mr Jonathan Britto, aesthetic practitioner Dr Jean-Paul Foumenteze, consultant maxillofacial, head and neck surgeon Mr Michael Ho and consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon Mr Jeff Downie. After this, a discussion chaired by Dr Treacy, Dr Rowland Payne and oculoplastic surgeon Mrs Sabrina Shah-Desai took place, in which members of the audience were encouraged to ask questions and share their views. During the discussion, Mr Britto stated, “I think that the biggest thing that we can learn from each other is the need for a multi-disciplinary team; it’s been in surgery for a long time but is only just coming into aesthetics. We should be sharing patients, as not one person can do everything; that is the key.”
A complications-specific agenda followed, chaired by Mr Downie and ophthalmologist Dr Sotiris Tsioumas. Dr Treacy presented on the 20-year history of aesthetic complications, while professor of dermatology and venereology Andreas Katsambas discussed adverse events in botulinum toxin, and dermatologist Dr Albina Kajaia shared personal complications cases.
During the course of the day, delegates also heard from two patients who had experienced facial disfigurement, highlighting the possibilities of autologous partial face transplant and the dangers of an unregulated field. Donna Corden shared her personal experience following necrotising fasciitis (a flesh-eating bug) on her face, and Carol Bryan described complications following the injection of permanent dermal fillers.
After lunch, dermatologist Dr Harryono Judodihardjo and ex-chairman of Wigmore Medical David Hicks led a talk on the latest aesthetic trends. Thread lifting, radiofrequency and scarring, chemical peels and stem cells were also discussed in the afternoon sessions. These were held by plastic surgeon Mr George Sulamanidze, dermatologist Dr Ines Verner, cosmetic surgeon Dr Han Jin Kwon, aesthetic practitioner Dr Uliana Gout and Singapore-based plastic surgeon Mr Ivor Lim.
In her session on chemical peels, Dr Gout noted, “Chemical peels are not just for diseased skin or antiageing. Chemical peels with medical grade skincare should be combined for the younger generation too – this is a trend we are currently seeing.”
To finish the day, aesthetic practitioners Dr Raj Acquilla and Professor Bob Khanna performed live full facial rejuvenation demonstrations, which were well received by attendees.
Aesthetic practitioner Dr Alex Parys, a delegate at the event commented, “The live filler demonstrations were my personal highlights of the day. Both used different styles and techniques, but achieved excellent results. Their years of experience effortlessly shone through, and were highly engaging from start to finish. It also showcased that that there is no single ‘magic bullet’ in aesthetics, and it’s therefore important to develop your own personal style as long as it’s founded on sound anatomical knowledge and patient safety.”
Delegates were also able to meet aesthetic businesses at a small exhibition, which included AestheticSource, Church Pharmacy, HA-Derma, John Bannon Pharma and SkinCeuticals, amongst others.
Lizzie Shaw, brand manager at Church Pharmacy said, “We are thrilled to be involved with the RSM Aesthetics 11 as there is a high-calibre of delegates that we don’t often get the chance to see in such an intimate setting. It’s been a fantastic day!”
Mr Treacy concluded, “Today’s event was dedicated to teaching the delegates in a scientific fashion and there were lectures from 12 nations and highly-respected professionals, each at the top of their field. It maintained the theme of addressing complications and the patients were invited to express their opinions and personal journeys.”
