How aesthetic medicine could impact your well-being and career in 2024

First impressions may be even more important than you thought – a fact that could play a major role early on in the new year as you tackle new opportunities in your business and personal life. A range of studies have highlighted how attractiveness can play a pivotal role in shaping perceptions and influence not just our initial impressions but also the attribution of favourable characteristics beyond physical appearances.

Often, intelligence and experience alone are not enough to make you stand out among the crowd during a job interview, a bid for a promotion or other business dealings. A strong sense of confidence complemented by physical attractiveness may give you the edge you need to climb the corporate ladder, finalise a sale or secure a contract.

In fact, an often-quoted study published by the Journal of Applied Psychology notes that attractive people earn more than their peers, equivalent to an additional master’s degree. While this may seem unfair, the same study shows that these benefits translate into real results – higher sales, and higher profits for companies. These higher salaries are then justified by enhanced performance. 

“The good news is that we are fortunate enough to live in a time where we can balance the playing field with simple aesthetic treatments,” explains Dr Reza Mia, aesthetics and anti-ageing expert at Anti-Aging Art in South Africa. “Fortunately, anyone can improve their confidence considerably by undergoing minimally invasive aesthetic procedures that will leave them feeling and looking rejuvenated and self-assured.” 

The decision to undergo an aesthetic treatment often stems from the desire to boost your psychological well-being, confidence and social standing. These enhancements can significantly impact social and career prospects, as they can convey stronger personality traits and influence people’s perceptions.

“While we all age, our faces and skin don’t need to look older than we actually are. The science of aesthetic medicine has reached a point where our physical appearance should complement the way we feel,” says Dr Mia.

The benefits of aesthetic medical treatments – whether for the treatment of certain skin, body or hair-related conditions, or simply to improve one’s overall appearance – can also have a profound impact on mental and emotional well-being. 

“Simply put, when we look good, we feel good. Self-confidence comes from within, but it can be affected by how we view our external selves. When you look in the mirror in the morning, you want to see a strong, vibrant person looking back at you, making you feel as though nothing can stop you from achieving your goals.”

Other scientific studies likewise demonstrate that physical health and appearance affect self-perception and confidence. For example, the HARMONY study of 2 000 respondents found that aesthetic treatments had major psychosocial benefits. Notably, when the study’s participants were asked to rate multiple images of patients who had undergone aesthetic treatments, respondents perceived the patients as more socially adept, attractive and successful.

However, Dr Mia cautions against drastic changes or fleeting fads such as overfilled lips or fox eyes. “At Anti-Aging Art, we emphasise Timeless Elegance™ and believe that true long-term beauty isn’t about changing who you are. Our approach seeks to enhance your natural essence with subtle and elegant refinements, while steering clear of distortions or procedures that make patients’ features appear artificial.

“Through this approach, we seek to empower patients to feel at home and confident in their own skin, which in turn can have a positive impact on their relationships and social interactions.”

Counteracting signs of ageing

The key to enhancing your appearance and improving your aesthetic psychology involves addressing the physical effects of ageing such as blemishes, lines, wrinkles, dryness, dullness and age spots. Luckily, there is an extensive list of treatments, including many non-invasive and minimally invasive options, which can all enhance patients’ skin and youthful appearance.

Dr Mia notes that determining the best treatment ultimately depends on each patient’s personal preferences, as well as their skin type, ageing concerns and overall health.

For example, dermal fillers may be ideal for restoring volume to the face by smoothing out lines around the nose and mouth, enhancing shallow contours on the face, restoring volume to sunken cheeks or temples, diminishing vertical lip lines, making the lips appear plump and full, and improving the overall symmetry of the face.

Likewise, botulinum toxin injections are often used for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. By blocking signals from your nerves to your muscles, these injections prevent the targeted muscles from contracting, which can also ease certain muscular conditions.

Treatments like micro-needling and laser skin rejuvenation can be beneficial for improving overall skin texture and tone. Micro-needling promotes collagen production for healthier, thicker and straighter skin, while tightening sagging skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and minimising scars.

Laser skin rejuvenation is an energy-based procedure that stimulates the skin’s natural healing process, promoting the growth of new skin cells and improving the skin’s tone and texture. This can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and other signs of ageing.

In total, Anti-Aging Art in Johannesburg offers 13 face, 11 body, eight skincare and five hair treatment options. 

“Ultimately, our goal is to work with our patients’ features and improve upon them while ensuring they still look completely natural. But aesthetic medicine isn’t about quick fixes – it’s also about uplifting patients and positively impacting their day-to-day lives,” concludes Dr Mia.