Are you aware of the exciting opportunities emerging in the field of aesthetic medicine for young practitioners? The demand for cosmetic procedures, preference for non-invasive treatments, and acceptance of aesthetic enhancements are booming. The convergence of medical technology and social media is adding to its allure.
Dr Akanksha Singh Cornuit, Founder, PromMed Aesthetics, Bengaluru, shares her journey into aesthetic medicine and the importance of mentorship. She highlights the ups and downs of building a successful practice.
On current opportunities:
The field of aesthetic medicine offers significant opportunities for emerging and young practitioners and is driven by several factors such as:
- There is a growing demand for cosmetic procedures, which is driven by social trends valuing youthfulness and appearance.
- There is a shift towards non-invasive procedures due to their reduced downtime, lower risk, and increasing popularity. Young practitioners can quickly gain proficiency in these areas, which often require shorter training than traditional surgical techniques.
- There is an increased acceptance and normalisation of aesthetic procedures as the stigma around them has reduced drastically.
- Continuous innovations in medical technology, such as non-invasive procedures, for instance, botulinum toxin, fillers, and laser treatments. They have made aesthetic treatments more accessible and less risky.
- Social media has also played a significant role in promoting aesthetic treatments. Influencers and celebrities openly discussing their procedures have made these treatments more mainstream. Younger practitioners can leverage social media to build their brand and attract clients.
On pursuing a career in aesthetic medicine:
This was never in the books for me. While I was pursuing diabetology in Apollo and working at the same time in a different hospital, I was offered a job by a renowned dermatologist in Bengaluru.
I was in two minds about leaving my job in the hospital, but eventually, I finished my course and joined his clinic. I did a trial run for a month and fell in love with it! I handled the aesthetic part of the clinic, and since then, I am hooked like it was meant for me.
I was pretty sure that was what I wanted to do and pursued my studies in the field and started my own practice right after my training. I do not have any mentor as such. I went for a Master Injectors course in London, where I gained my maximum knowledge from my trainer, Dr Kam.
I considered him as my mentor there. As of now, I just follow multiple doctors on Instagram. I resonate with them in terms of work and try to learn new things through them.
On major challenges faced initially:
My biggest challenge was building a team in the beginning, but once that fell into place, things became easier to manage. I hired and fired people, which is a part of building a good team, so I am happy with my decisions.
But other than that, I prefer being involved in most of the work so I know what is happening, be it social media or patient follow-ups. So, for people who are starting now, I highly recommend that they be involved in every aspect of their practice and create a strong bond with the patients.
For the complete story, CLICK HERE for our latest edition of Aesthetic Medicine India magazine.