She had never invested much in beauty treatments, rarely getting facials or shopping for beauty products. However, when plastic surgeon 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 unease to constantly hearing sirens and living in fear of getting sick. Having my children at home has affected my ability to manage my company, and witnessing the impact of the pandemic on the economy has added to my stress levels, causing me to notice signs of aging more rapidly. During the lockdown, there has been an increase in waitlists for nonessential noninvasive skin-care treatments like laser procedures, fillers, and Botox injections. Plastic surgeon Dr. Ben Talei from Los Angeles mentioned that he and his colleagues are seeing a surge in demand for these treatments, especially those with shorter healing times, as people want to undergo them now while they are not as busy with work and social commitments. A surge in appointments to catch up on missed cosmetic treatments was expected. However, what will happen to the beauty industry after this initial surge? Will people want to fix more things after seeing themselves on virtual calls? Or, after relying on home skincare during the pandemic, will they realize they don't need medical treatments? The most important question is how to do all of this safely. According to doctors, the pandemic will lead to a change in how we focus on our appearance. With masks concealing much of our faces, there will likely be a shift towards enhancing our eyes. Dr. Devgan predicts a rise in requests for under-eye filler, Botox brow lifts, and eyelid surgery. She also believes that as we cover our faces, there will be a greater emphasis on the aesthetics of the torso, buttocks, and legs. As medical practices begin to reopen, there has been an uptick in requests for body treatments. During the summer, surgeries are usually slow as people prepare for beach vacations where they wear revealing clothing. However, due to the pandemic restricting travel, more people are opting for procedures now, according to Dr. Sachin Shridharani, a plastic surgeon in New York. The Aesthetic Society reported that liposuction and tummy tucks accounted for 31% of total procedures in June, up from 26% in June 2019. Breast procedures also increased by 4.3% compared to last June. Dr. Herluf Lund, a plastic surgeon in St. Louis and president of the Aesthetic Society, noted a significant rise in breast augmentations and lifts in his practice compared to last year, even taking into account the time they were closed. Additionally, there is a growing demand for nonsurgical body treatments, especially injectables. Shridharani notes a growing interest in using syringes instead of scalpels for cosmetic procedures. Injectables, which are FDA-approved for facial use, can also effectively address body concerns. For example, Shridharani uses Kybella to dissolve double chins and reduce fat in various areas of the body, as well as 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 excessive use of fillers and Botox that celebrities and influencers have become accustomed to may be declining. Plastic surgeon Steven Pearlman is noticing a decrease in popularity of unnaturally smooth foreheads and overfilled lips and cheeks, which he believes will continue to diminish even more rapidly. Pearlman attributes this shift to people's faces appearing more natural during lockdowns, as well as a growing realization that extreme cosmetic enhancements are not as important in light of current societal issues. Additionally, there may be changes in social media behavior, with uncertainty about whether sharing Botox appointment experiences on platforms like Instagram will continue. Given the current climate of coronavirus concerns, economic hardship, and increasing national unrest, showcasing expensive cosmetic procedures on social media could potentially lead to criticism. As the Black Lives Matter protests began at the end of May, aesthetic doctors noticeably stopped posting their usual before-and-after photos. According to Pearlman, they wanted to be respectful and considerate during this time of uncertainty. Despite this, social media has become a crucial way for people to stay connected during lockdowns, leading to many feeling more comfortable sharing personal details with their followers. Maybe we will reach a compromise where instead of patients sharing their own procedure photos on social media, they will allow their doctors to do so. Aubry mentioned that she initially wouldn't have allowed her procedure photos to be posted, but she wanted to show other women that there are options available without feeling ashamed. Dr. Adolf Karchmer, an infectious disease expert at Harvard Medical School, emphasized the importance of weighing the risks and benefits of aesthetic procedures during the current pandemic. 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, which consists of safety guidelines for reopening. Patients should be aware that safety protocols start before they even reach the office. Prior to appointments, practices will evaluate patients for symptoms, possible exposure to the virus, and any underlying health conditions. Some practices may refuse to see individuals who are at a high risk for COVID-19. Lund emphasized that the initial inquiry patients should make is about the safety protocols of the practice. Patients should inquire if the practice can clearly explain their safety measures when called, and if this information is available on their website. Upon arrival, patients will have their temperature checked and paperwork will have been completed online beforehand. It is also expected that everyone in the practice will 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, making it a risky time to have complications from a procedure.