Remembering Compassion in Aesthetics
I recently attended an aesthetics conference in south
Florida. There were many great speakers- seasoned cosmetic surgeons and
dermatologists, successful CEOs, and highly-acclaimed skin care
specialists. Aside from learning about new and improved aesthetic
technologies and techniques, a specific speaker enlightened me before he even
began his lecture.
This particular physician spoke on his experiences with
various cosmetic treatments, but he began his lecture with a simple message: Remember
compassion throughout your career in aesthetics. He shared a few stories
of examples he had experienced in his own career and spoke with such enthusiasm
and emotion behind his words. You could tell this man truly loves what he
does and has a special effect on people.
This hit home for me because in this room filled of
highly educated, although some overly-injected individuals, I think we must never
stop practicing compassion. In a busy world and work day this can easily
get overlooked. We must never become so busy or so concerned with
aesthetics that we forget that compassion plays a large role. In a day
spent nipping and tucking, or simply encouraging at the office, remember that
people elect to undergo cosmetic procedures to look better so
that they feel better. The benefit of some procedures on
an individual's self-esteem can be life changing. Remember that the patient in
front of you is more than a treatment and it is about much more than making
that person look better. It is about the feeling you give them and the
confidence they gain in the process.
Aesthetics could certainly be simply superficial if you
make it just that. However, I am a firm believer that beauty is more than
skin deep. If we practice with compassion, the whole world slows down for
a moment and we make great results even better. We make people feel not
only beautiful but most importantly happy, satisfied, ready to conquer the
world. If a patient no longer looks at a slight imperfection, or even a
more obvious one, and pushes their thoughts towards what they do have going for
them, we have succeeded in aesthetics.
Practicing compassion also includes loving what
you do. I love the rewarding feeling of helping others. I love having
the desire to learn and become better at what I do. If we always practice
with compassion we will reap the benefits just as much as any patients we see. We
must remember that looking our best is about feeling our best and for each
person this is different. Aspire to learn that difference and make a
difference every day. We are very lucky, as I am humbled, to work in our
field and do what we do. As this doctor reminded me and I share with you
today, please always remember compassion.