Bethesda Plastic Surgeon Discusses Zooming Demand for Facial Rejuvenation
As the prevalence of remote work and virtual communications have significantly increased the use of video conferencing services such as Zoom, Dr. Mark E. Richards of Ageless Impressions ~ Plastic Surgery Institute says the demand for both surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures has continued to tick up at his practice during the pandemic.
Bethesda, MD – Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, daily life for millions of people across the globe has undergone a great many changes. With physical distancing precautions and new safety standards to limit the spread of the virus, the way individuals communicate in both business and social worlds has changed. The video conferencing application called Zoom has seen explosive growth in popularity since the beginning of the pandemic. Zoom use has reportedly grown from 10 million daily meeting participants in December of 2019 to 300 million in April of 2020.
Interestingly, back in May, Google Trends recorded a 67% increase in the number of times the term “plastic surgery” was searched. Dr. Mark E. Richards, a plastic surgeon in Bethesda and the Washington, DC area, does not believe this was mere coincidence. At his practice, Ageless Impressions ~ Plastic Surgery Institute, Dr. Richards says he has personally seen an increase in demand for facial rejuvenation procedures. “Since the initial pandemic lockdown ended, I’ve been conducting more consults for both surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments than at any time in the past 5 years. I believe the increase in Zoom meetings and other video conferencing chats has caused many people to view themselves over prolonged periods daily. Inevitably, they find aspects of their face that do not match their desired appearance.”
Dr. Richards adds that virtual meetings can also be affected by poor lighting and unflattering camera angles, which ultimately lay bare and accentuate aesthetic concerns. While Instagram and other social media platforms offer tools that allow for “airbrushing,” these “polishing” methods may not be available or easily accessible on Zoom or other video conferencing technologies.
At Ageless Impressions, Dr. Richards has seen a major uptick in requests for treatments such as injectable dermal fillers, BOTOX® Cosmetic, as well as facelift surgery. “Specifically, we’ve been performing a lot of RADIESSE® treatments to enhance volume in certain facial features, Restylane® Refyne and Defyne for areas around the mouth and lips, and PDO Thread Lifting to lift sagging skin of the face and neck. Facelifts remove the jowls and neck waddles. Eyelifts get rid of bags under the lower lids. Additionally, the Lutronics Genius™ Radiofrequency micro needling device provides long lasting results through a nearly no-downtime treatment for erasing the wrinkles and skin texture defects from broken collagen and elastin in the sun-aged and damaged skin of the face.”
Dr. Richards feels that the fact that so many individuals are working remotely allows them more opportunity to have cosmetic enhancement since they can often still work while recovering in the comfort of their own home. He explains that surgical or non-surgical facial rejuvenation, or a combination of both, diminish the signs of fatigue and age that become prominently displayed by a computer’s video camera. The uniqueness of work during the pandemic offers women and men a way to address their concerns with results that enhance their natural appearance and give them a boost of self-confidence.
Ultimately, Dr. Richards says, video conferencing has simply made many people more self-aware of their own image. This, he notes, is likely the reason why the field of plastic surgery and cosmetic enhancement has experienced even greater demand than usual after the lockdown restrictions were lifted. With that in mind, Dr. Richards advises individuals who are considering treatment to make sure they are seeing reputable, highly qualified plastic surgeons who communicate thoroughly and honestly about the many options available. “It’s always important that patients feel comfortable and confident in their plastic surgeon’s abilities, and that the doctor has the experience and qualifications necessary to provide the best possible care. Patients should be sure that they are getting individualized treatments that are designed to effectively renew their appearance in a way that looks both beautiful and natural. Even on Zoom!”
About Mark Richards, MD
Dr. Mark Richards is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and holds membership in the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. Dr. Richards has been recognized as a Top Doctor in Bethesda Magazine, U.S. News & World Report, and Washingtonian Magazine, and he is a Lifetime Member of the Who’s Who National Registry. He is a graduate of Yale University and earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. In addition to facial rejuvenation procedures, Dr. Richards offers a comprehensive selection of aesthetic enhancement options at Ageless Impressions ~ Plastic Surgery Institute. Treatments include breast surgery, body contouring, laser therapies, and a variety of advanced non-surgical treatments. Dr. Richards is available for interview upon request.
For more information about Dr. Richards and his practice, please visit drmarkrichards.com and facebook.com/drmarkrichards.
Contact:
Dr. Mark E. Richards
Ageless Impressions ~ Plastic Surgery Institute
11300 Rockville Pike, Ste. 912
N. Bethesda, MD 20852
(301) 468-3458
Rosemont Media
(858) 200-0044
www.rosemontmedia.com