She had never invested much in beauty treatments, rarely getting facials or shopping for beauty products. However, when Dr. Lara Devgan reopened her office in New York, Aubry decided to have a consultation and treatment on the same day. This visit was one of the few times she had left her apartment since March. Aubry, 40, attributed her anxiety to constantly hearing sirens and fearing illness. Having my children at home has impacted my ability to manage my business, and witnessing the effects of the pandemic on the economy has added to my stress levels, causing me to notice a rapid aging process. During the lockdown, the demand for nonessential, noninvasive skin-care treatments such as laser procedures, fillers, and Botox injections has increased significantly. Plastic surgeon Dr. Ben Talei in Los Angeles has observed a surge in people seeking these treatments, particularly those with minimal downtime, as they want to undergo them now while not disrupting their work and social activities. It was likely expected that there would be a large number of catch-up appointments. However, what will the aesthetic industry be like once this initial surge is over? Will more people have a list of cosmetic procedures they want to have done after spending time looking at themselves in virtual meetings? Or, after relying on at-home skin care during a break from visiting the doctor, will some realize they don't actually need medical intervention? Ultimately, the most crucial question is how can all of this be done safely. According to doctors, the pandemic will lead to a shift in focus towards our eyes as masks cover most of our faces. This may result in more requests for under-eye fillers, Botox brow lifts, and eyelid surgery. Additionally, as we cover our faces, there may be more emphasis on the aesthetics of the torso, buttocks, and legs. Doctors are already noticing an increase in requests for body treatments as practices reopen. During summer, surgeries are usually slow as people plan beach vacations, but this year, due to the pandemic restricting travel, more people are opting for plastic surgery procedures. According to the Aesthetic Society, liposuction and tummy tucks accounted for 31% of total procedures in June, up from 26% in June 2019. Breast procedures also saw an increase of 4.3% compared to last June. Dr. Herluf Lund, a plastic surgeon in St. Louis, noted that breast augmentations and lifts have significantly increased in his practice compared to last year, despite the time his practice was closed. Nonsurgical body treatments, particularly injectables, are also in high demand. Shridharani noted a growing interest in using syringes rather than scalpels for cosmetic procedures. Injectables, approved by the FDA for facial use, can also be effective for addressing body concerns. For example, Shridharani uses Kybella to dissolve double chins and melt fat in various areas of the body, as well as injecting diluted Sculptra to stimulate collagen production in arms and thighs for smoother skin. (Shridharani receives financial compensation from the companies that make Kybella and Sculptra.) The trend of excessive fillers and Botox among celebrities and influencers appears to be declining. Plastic surgeon Steven Pearlman predicts that the baby-smooth, motionless foreheads and overfilled lips and cheeks, which have already started to lose popularity, will continue to decrease. Pearlman believes that people have become accustomed to a more natural look during lockdowns and will realize that an extreme appearance is not necessary. Changes in social media habits may also occur, with uncertainty about whether Botox appointments will continue to be shared on platforms like Instagram. In a time of concerns about the coronavirus, economic hardship, and increasing national unrest, sharing expensive cosmetic procedures on social media could attract criticism. During the Black Lives Matter protests at the end of May, many aesthetic doctors paused posting before-and-after photos to be more sensitive to the current situation. While some questioned the appropriateness of posting on social media during this time, others have found it to be an important way to stay connected during lockdowns. People have become more willing to share personal details with their followers on social media. Maybe we will reach a compromise where instead of patients sharing about their procedures on their own social media, more patients will allow their doctors to share their procedure photos. Aubry mentioned that she would not have allowed this before, but after her experience, she wanted other women to know about their options without feeling ashamed. However, is it safe to have aesthetic procedures right now? Dr. Adolf Karchmer, an infectious disease expert at Harvard Medical School, explains that in medicine, everything is about weighing risks and benefits. While some people may feel they need these procedures for psychological or professional reasons, the risk of contracting coronavirus will never be zero, but offices should implement safety measures to minimize the risk. Karchmer was a member of a task force that created Project AesCert, which provides safety protocols for reopening. Patients should be aware that safety precautions start even before they reach the office, as practices will be conducting screenings for symptoms, potential exposures, and preexisting conditions. Some practices may choose to not accept patients who are at a high risk for COVID-19. Lund emphasized the importance of patients inquiring about a practice's safety protocols as the first step. Patients should ask if the practice can easily and confidently describe their safety measures over the phone or on their website. Upon arrival, patients will have their temperature checked and paperwork should be completed online before the appointment. Additionally, everyone present should be wearing masks. The doctor will wear personal protective gear, such as an N95 mask, face shield, gown, and gloves. Due to the risk of coronavirus exposure, many consultations and follow-ups will be conducted virtually to reduce traffic in the office. Dr. Devgan emphasized the importance of aesthetics during this time, as medical resources are not at their best and complications from procedures could be more dangerous.