April is considered World Health Awareness Month, making it an ideal time to look at what is happening in the field of aesthetics. Many people are seeking changes to their appearance, which impacts their physical and mental health, but the public largely doesn’t know why or what patients are thinking. One doctor is on a mission to shed some light on this topic, sharing the top common things his patients are saying, which helps others know they are not alone.

“The masses only know that people seek aesthetic changes, but they don’t always know the reasons why or the feedback that follows,” explains Dr. Brandon Richland, founder of Richland MD and Richland Aesthetics. “When we have a better understanding of their thoughts, we will be in a better position to help them achieve successful results.”

In the last several years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of people who are seeking treatments to change or elevate their aesthetics. There are numerous reasons that contribute to this, including the number of options available today that people can turn to, as well as external and internal motivating factors. According to a study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, there has been a significant increase in public interest in both surgical and nonsurgical aesthetic procedures after Instagram gained popularity in 2012.

While some may feel that such news points to the fact that it made people compare themselves to others and seek treatments, it’s also wise to consider that it made people feel there were options. It gave many people who were unhappy with their appearance hope that there were changes they could make. For many people, it gave them the courage to seek out options so they could feel and look their best, which impacts every area of their life.

When it comes down to it, it’s really about what the patients want. Inside Richland Aesthetics, five clear client mindsets are shaping the direction of modern aesthetics:

• “I just want to look less tired.”
  Clients aren’t chasing youth, they’re chasing energy. Many express that they no longer recognize how fatigued they appear, pointing to the visible effects of stress, travel, parenting, and demanding schedules. The solutions to this include using peptides, which do not have downtime.

• “I want to look like myself again.”
  The goal is subtle realignment, not change. Clients are seeking to reconnect with a version of themselves that feels familiar and authentic. Solutions in this case include subtle age-graceful treatments, such as HydraFacials.

• “I don’t want anyone to know I did anything.”
  Undetectable results are now the standard. The most successful outcomes are those that look natural, refined, and unnoticeable to others. There are a variety of options they can turn to that will provide natural results that won’t be a stark giveaway that something has been done.

• “I want to look good all the time. Not just for events.”
  There is a clear shift from one-time, event-driven treatments to consistent, long-term maintenance and confidence. There are numerous more permanent options people can consider that will provide long-lasting outcomes.

• “I don’t have time for downtime.”
  Efficiency matters. Today’s clients want results that fit seamlessly into their lives without interruption. Options that require a lot of downtime are not convenient and don’t appeal to as many people. Advances in aesthetics are helping to address this with treatment solutions that don’t have a lot of downtime.

“What has changed the most is not the treatments,” says Dr. Richland. “Patients aren’t asking to look like someone else. They’re asking to look like themselves again, less tired, more current, and more in sync with how they feel.”

Dr. Richland is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Fountain Valley, California. He provides services in Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Woodland Hills, and Las Vegas. His focus is on delivering excellence that provides a natural look and beauty aesthetics to age gracefully. He specializes in mommy makeovers, including breast augmentation, lifts, and reduction, tummy tucks, skin tightening, and body contouring. He also offers facelifts, chin liposuction, fat transfers, and additional procedures. Those interested in learning more, seeing before and after procedure photos, and getting promotions should visit the site at: https://www.richlandmd.com.