She had never invested heavily in beauty treatments, rarely getting facials and shopping at Sephora infrequently. However, when Dr. Lara Devgan, a plastic surgeon in New York, resumed operations last month, Aubry went for a consultation and received treatment on the same day. This visit to the office was one of the few times she had left her home since March. Aubry, aged 40, could identify the source of her unease: "Listening to the sirens from my apartment and living in constant fear of falling ill." Having my children at home has affected my ability to manage my business, and witnessing the negative impact of the pandemic on the economy has increased my stress levels, leading me to realize that I was aging quickly. During the lockdown, there was a significant increase in demand for nonessential cosmetic treatments such as laser procedures, fillers, and Botox injections. Plastic surgeon Dr. Ben Talei from Los Angeles noted that many people are eager to undergo these procedures now while they have the time to heal without it disrupting their work and social commitments. It was likely expected that there would be a sudden increase in catch-up appointments. However, what will the beauty industry look like once this initial surge is over? Will people have a list of cosmetic procedures they want done after spending so much time in virtual meetings? Or, after relying on at-home skin care during the pandemic, will they come to realize they don't need medical treatments? The most crucial question is how to proceed with these appointments safely. According to doctors, the pandemic will lead to a shift in focus on our appearance as masks cover most of our faces. Requests for under-eye filler, Botox brow lifts, and eyelid surgery are expected to rise. Additionally, there will likely be a greater emphasis on the aesthetics of the torso, buttocks, and legs as our faces remain covered. Doctors have noticed an increase in requests for body treatments as practices reopen. Typically, summer is usually a slow period for surgeries due to people preparing for beach vacations where they will be wearing revealing clothing. However, due to the pandemic restricting travel, people are opting to undergo procedures now. According to the Aesthetic Society, liposuction and tummy tucks accounted for 31% of procedures in June, up from 26% in June 2019. Breast procedures also saw a 4.3% increase compared to last June. Dr. Herluf Lund, a plastic surgeon and president of the Aesthetic Society, noted a significant increase in breast augmentations and lifts in his practice compared to last year, despite the time his practice was closed. Nonsurgical body treatments, particularly injectables, are also seeing high demand. Shridharani stated that there is a significant amount of interest in using syringes instead of scalpels for various procedures. Injectable treatments, which are typically FDA-approved for facial use, can also be effective for addressing body concerns. For example, Shridharani uses Kybella to dissolve a double chin and melt fat in the abdomen, arms, and thighs. He also administers diluted Sculptra to stimulate collagen production in the arms and thighs to improve crepey skin. (Shridharani receives financial compensation from the companies that make Kybella and Sculptra for his work with these products.) The trend of excessive fillers and Botox that celebrities and influencers have been known for may be declining. Plastic surgeon Steven Pearlman predicts that the overly smooth, motionless foreheads and overfilled lips and cheeks, which have already begun to fall out of favor, will continue to decrease in popularity. Pearlman believes that people have noticed a more natural appearance in their faces during lockdowns and will no longer prioritize achieving an extreme look. Changes in social media habits may also occur, with uncertainty about whether people will continue sharing scenes from their Botox appointments on platforms like Instagram. In a time of coronavirus fears, economic struggles, and increasing national unrest, sharing expensive cosmetic procedures on social media could potentially lead to criticism. As the Black Lives Matter protests began at the end of May, many aesthetic doctors stopped posting their dramatic before-and-after photos to show sensitivity to the current situation. Social media has become an important way for people to connect during lockdowns, leading many to share more personal details with their followers. Maybe we will reach a compromise where instead of patients sharing photos of their procedures on their own social media accounts, they will allow their doctors to do so. Aubry, who previously would not have agreed to have her procedure photos posted, now wants other women to know that there are options available without feeling ashamed. Dr. Adolf Karchmer, an infectious disease expert from Harvard Medical School, believes that the decision to have aesthetic procedures during this time should be based on a risk-benefit analysis. While the risk of contracting the coronavirus will never be zero, medical offices should implement safety measures to minimize the risk to a very low level. Karchmer was a member of a task force that created Project AesCert, a set of safety protocols for reopening. Patients should be aware that safety precautions start even before they reach the office, as practices will be evaluating patients for symptoms, exposure risks, and underlying health conditions. Some practices may refuse to treat individuals who are at a high risk for COVID-19. Lund emphasized that the initial concern for the patient should be inquiring about the safety protocols of the practice. It is important to ask whether the practice can easily explain their safety measures over the phone and if this information is available on their website. Upon arrival, the patient's temperature will be checked, and all necessary paperwork will have been completed online prior to the appointment. Additionally, everyone present should be wearing masks. The doctor will be wearing personal protective equipment, such as an N95 mask, face shield, gown, and gloves. Many consultations and follow-ups will be done virtually to reduce traffic in the office due to the risk of coronavirus exposure. According to Devgan, the stakes for aesthetics are higher than ever, as medical resources are still not optimal during this time. It is not an ideal time to have a complication from a procedure.