Realistic patients desire to look just 5 years younger

Patients are realists. While almost 90% of clinicians surveyed feel their patients seek treatment to look younger, most are looking not to rewind the decades but to become just a slightly more youthful version of their current selves.

Just over half (51.1%) believe patients are keen to take 5 years off their appearance. One third (31.9%) think they want to turn the clock back 10 years. Almost 15% feel patients are even more modest, content to look less than 5 years younger. Tiny numbers (just over 1% or less) believe patients would like to look more than 15 years younger.

Real women, not babes, are the biggest role models

Instead of opting for absurdly beautiful ‘babes’ in their 20s and 30s, clinicians reported that their patients were most influenced by women in their 40s and even 50s who looked like younger, idealised, role models of their own age, and who, as perfect versions of themselves, were people they could, perhaps more realistically, aspire to be.

And this realism is reflected in the female celebrities clinicians felt were most highly rated by patients.

The classic icons were headed by Italian actress and model Monica Belluci, 49 (born September 30, 1964), who was the role model for 25% of patients, believed clinicians. Second came Claudia Schiffer (8%), a sprightly 43 (born August 25, 1970), followed by Carla Bruni (7.7%) 46 (December 23, 1967) and veteran Princess Caroline of Monaco (6.5%) aged 56 (January 23, 1957). Other celebrities included Heidi Klum, who, despite being one of the youngest at 40 (born June 1, 1973) was highlighted by just 5.2%. Cate Blanchett, aged 44 years (May 14, 1969) by 4.4%, and Kylie Minogue, 45 (May 28, 1968) by a suitably petite 2.4%.

For patients in their 40s, therefore, the perfect celebrity to aspire to is an attractive 44-year-old star with youthful and natural-looking features.

Men, meanwhile, opted for older — 50 years and over — stars with distinguished looks and, when it came to a favourite, George Clooney, aged 52 (born May 6, 1961), was the choice of one third of respondents (33.5%). Second (28.1%) was Brad Pitt, 50 (December 18, 1963), followed by sporting and style supremo David Beckham (14.3%) and 007 big screen hit 45-year old Daniel Craig (March 2, 1968), chosen by 5.8%.

Other choices included George Michael, 50, (June 25, 1963), the selection for 2.2% and 54-year old Morrissey (May 22, 1959) — a role model for under one per cent (0.9%), who tied with the more youthful Ben Cohen, 35 (September 14, 1978). Bottom of the pile was Simon Cowell, 54 (October 7, 1959), whose face, selected by just 0.5%, isn’t necessarily seen by respondents as the gateway to fame and fortune.

Fillers and toxins are most requested treatments

Dermal fillers and toxins are the most popular treatments, both requested by four in 10 female patients (40.3%), while among men toxins are over twice as popular as any other treatment, requested by just over 60%. In contrast, just 26.8% ask for dermal fillers. Together, these two options were far and away the leading treatments with just 4.2% asking for Restylane Skinboosters and 3.4% for mesotherapy.

Inevitably, patients express concerns, with almost 70% of clinicians (69.3%) reporting that patients most fear looking unnatural, followed by worries about pain (30.9%) and needles (22.2%).

‘As this survey suggests, our patients are increasingly confident individuals. Individuals seeking to turn the clock back, but just a bit. It’s about looking 5 years younger, not 15 or 20. It’s about feeling their best at this stage in life and creating a look that mirrors their confidence, matches their hopes and fulfills their aspirations,’ said Anne-Sophie Copin, Global Head of Skin Rejuvenation Marketing, Galderma, Uppsala, Sweden.

Restylane top for brand recognition

With clinicians reporting a growing focus in full face treatments as the biggest change over the past 5 years, the aesthetics arena is undoubtedly fast-moving. Trust remains key, as demonstrated in the survey findings.

With regard to requested brands, Restylane dominated the list, with over 45% of clinicians reporting that it was asked for more often than the second (36.1%) and third (6.5%) choices put together.

Restylane was also named in the survey by seven out of 10 clinicians (71.1%) as their country’s biggest dermal filler brand, and Restylane Skinboosters voted the most common skin hydration injectable treatment by almost eight in 10 (79.8%).

‘In addition to providing insights into patients’ motivations, dreams and fears, this survey also highlights the vital role played by trusted brands that combine innovation with outstanding consistency. Their importance in building increasing acceptance of aesthetic treatments cannot, as this research suggests, be underestimated,’ said Benoit Chardon, Marketing Director Aesthetic & Corrective, Galderma, Uppsala, Sweden.