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O P I N I O N

            FUTURE OF INJECTING                                                     aestheticmed.co.uk
















































              BEHIND THE MASK





                           Dr Tijion Esho explores what the “new normal” might
                                 look like for lip-filler procedures post-pandemic




                       any of us are preparing to reopen our clinics   injected anywhere above the nose. Because of this, upper-
                       next month [in July – as Aesthetic Medicine   face treatments are likely to be the first procedures to
                       went to print], and with planning underway  return on a near-full scale when clinics re-open.
                       for the secure covid-19 guidelines we will  However, below the nose the mask must come off and
           Mhave to employ, clinicians and patients alike   for the time being at least, all bets are off, as the risk of
            are starting to see what a new normal could look like for   spread despite the injector wearing PPE isn’t yet truly
            clinics, with measures including screens and PPE across  known. Treating the lip area isn’t a true aerosol-generating
            the board. But in a world now full of protective face masks,   procedure (AGP) – to be so it must be one that activates
            how will we as injectors approach administering lip fillers;   the gag reflex and enters into the oral cavity – but there
            the UK’s most popular dermal-filler procedure?  is still the risk of the patient coughing, sneezing or simply
                                                           breathing to contend with. The race to reduce risk for both
            MINIMISING RISK                                injector and patient is now on, and the good news is there
            As we know, treating the lips has always carried a high  are already sensible suggestions of how to make one of our
            risk due to the vast blood supply to the area. Risks include   most popular procedures safe in a post-covid world.
            infection, bleeding and tissue necrosis, but we will now have   Having performed multiple lip-filler procedures in
            to be aware of the additional risk of covid-19 transmission.   almost a decade’s worth of aesthetics practice, I have
            Potential transmission of the virus through the air between   also been looking at ways to reduce risk to myself and my
            patient and injector is a real concern for many. The risk is  colleagues, as well as our patients. But, it is important to
            reduced when treating the upper face as patients can still   note that there will never be no risk, and that should form
            effectively wear their masks while toxin and/or filler is  part of the consent process. Here are my suggestions:


       34   Aesthetic Medicine • June 2020
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