Consultant physician Professor Syed Haq is internationally renowned for his research into both aesthetics and ageing science. Alongside groundbreaking Alzheimer’s research, he is an advocate of regenerative medicine. Here, Aesthetics shares his insights into the speciality during a climate of innovation…
What’s your ethos for recommending treatments?
My top tip is to have a cooling-off period after an initial consultation so patients aren’t too hasty when accepting treatments, but also have time to realise their benefits. Make sure to be open about downtime, expected results and cost.
How should practitioners learn about new treatments on the market?
My first port of call is talking to colleagues about their experiences or what they’ve heard. If you’re looking to find new innovations, industry conferences like ACE, CCR or IMCAS are a great way to learn more. Make sure to read the evidence and consider your clinic demographic before committing to anything new.
How do you recommend practitioners further their medical education?
Master’s degrees in Aesthetic Medicine are a great way to develop knowledge, and I’ve seen a number of colleagues complete doctorates to hone in on specific areas of expertise. Other options like training courses or dermatology diplomas are also great. Education is essential to avoid complications.
You feel threads are becoming more popular, what are your top tips for successful treatment?
Administering threads isn’t for the faint-hearted so ensure you’re confident. It’s essential to conduct thorough training and perform supervised treatments with CE-marked products to avoid danger points. It’s crucial for patient safety to use a cannula, and barbed threads give the best lift.
The future of toxin is bright – what recent innovations are you seeing?
Multiple brands including Croma-Pharma, Evolus and Galderma have brought out new toxins recently, reflecting innovations in the field. Toxins are becoming longer lasting, but there are emerging topical and liquid forms as well.
What three treatments are the cornerstone of your practice?
- Botulinum toxin is the classic
- Dermal fillers which offer natural volumising and profile balancing
- Rejuvenating products are a growing market for me: think HArmonyCa from Allergan, PhilArt from Croma Pharma or Plenhyage XL from DermaFocus.