Botox, Dermal Fillers, and Chemical Peels are some of the popular treatments that pop up when we think of advanced aesthetic treatments. Advanced Aesthetics, or Medical Aesthetics, used to be a somewhat foreign term to the mass population in Nigeria, but we love how that has changed over the past 2 years over the years. Nigeria went from having only basic beauty treatments to an array of advanced treatments offered by Dermatologists and Medical Aestheticians. It is very encouraging to see the tremendous growth the Nigerian Beauty Industry has experienced. 

To further understand and analyse the position of Advanced Aesthetic Treatments in Nigeria, the Spa & Wellness Association of Africa (SWAA) hosted a webinar with Dr. Ifeoma Abajue of The Aesthetic Clinic.

We attended the webinar and would like to share our notes.

Here are some key highlights: 

1. Difference between Aesthetics and Medical Aesthetics

Aesthetics is a more advanced form of beauty where the depths of skin are studied. It focuses on the anatomy and physiology of the skin and treatments are minimally invasive. Medical Aesthetics, on the other hand, is a sub specialization of Aesthetics where a medical or nursing degree is required to practice. The reason is because this involves the use of injectables, and precision and extensive knowledge are required. 

2. How to tackle the issue of standardization within the Aesthetic Industry

According to Dr. Ifeoma, the first step of dealing with this issue is to acknowledge that it is a problem. She explained that the lack of proper awareness is the reason why unprofessionalism still exists in this industry. The public still patronises businesses that do not have the proper qualifications to carry out these treatments, due to the lack of a regulatory body. She recommended proper training facilities to ensure the health and safety of clients as the second step of tackling standardization. She alluded to the lack of certified trainers in Nigeria and to end trainings done by unqualified spas. Lastly, she proposed the need for associations and organizations to regulate the industry and act as a guide for practitioners. 

3. What can clients look out for when trying to get a real professional to do the job?

She recommends vetting the clinic or medical spa thoroughly before booking an appointment. Suggestions include finding out the background of the practitioners running the clinic or spa, looking out for their qualifications, and checking clients testimonials. If a deal is too good to be true, then it probably is. Some treatments can be really expensive, so be cautious if the pricing does not relatively compare to others.

source: @clinictheaesthetic

4. What are some of the challenges in running an Aesthetic Clinic?

Getting the right personnel is a challenge she faced but slowly resolved because of her training school, Beauty Therapy Institute Lagos (BTI Lagos). She also mentioned foreign exchange rates being an issue due to the recent devaluation of the Naira. Most of the materials used are imported and the current rates increase costs. Another challenge she raised was the lack of infrastructure in Nigeria which leads to increased overhead costs. 

5. How has Covid-19 impacted the Aesthetics Industry?

She disclosed that the number of clients that go into clinics have reduced as there are no more walk-ins, and not all treatments can be offered at this time. She also added that more money is being spent on PPEs and materials. However it is not all bad because virtual consultations became more common, reaching a wider audience. Another plus she mentioned was the emergence of new departments like logistics and shipping, because more people ordered products that needed to be delivered.

6. Advice for Industry ‘newbies’

  • Have a passion and be sure that is what you want to do
  • You must have good interpersonal skills and enjoy relating and caring for people
  • You should think about impact when going in. Have a purpose behind the reason for choosing Aesthetics
  • You must have the knowledge and keep training to stay abreast of trends and developments
  • There is no perfect time to start than now! Take small steps
  • Join networks and associations to be aware of opportunities
  • Have a virtual or physical mentor and always ask questions from experienced professionals

7. What is the future of Medical Aesthetics in Nigeria?

According to Dr. Ifeoma, Advanced Aesthetic treatments will become normalized in Nigeria and will be a part of everyday conversation.

It was an interesting and enlightening webinar and we want you to join the conversation too. What do you think about advanced aesthetic treatments in Nigeria? Do you think they are here to stay?

Ps: If you are wondering where to find trusted Dermatologists and Aesthetic Clinics, check out this post