The past few years has seen an influx of minimally invasive, rejuvenating treatments—from Profhilo  to more recently, EMFACE—enter the market. Despite increasing demand for these types of treatments, Botox (botulinum toxin) still remains the overwhelming market leader globally.

In 2022, over 7 million Botox treatments were administered globally. In the same year, the global Botox market was valued at USD 6.4 billion in 2022, growing at a rate forecast to reach USD 15.2 billion by 2030. The increasing popularity is linked to a growing focus on physical appearance and aesthetics, as well as advancement in formulations and techniques. While the 35-50 year-old demographic remains the largest market, there is an increasingly higher uptake among younger millennials and Gen Z consumers.

With so much talk surrounding the ‘new’ in recent years, we thought it would be timely to revisit the treatment that arguably kickstarted this new era of aesthetics.

Ahead, Dr. Ellen Selkon and Dr. Lynn Theron of Clinic 42, leaders in medically-based and researched cosmetic procedures, get back to basics. From the importance of finding the right injector to what happens if you’re not happy with your Botox or filler results, here are their top three insights.

Pictured: Dr Ellen Selkon & Dr Lynn Theron

1. Find the right injector by checking their accreditation, experience, and their work.

Dr Ellen Selkon says, “The first thing that you should ask is what their experience is in cosmetic medicine. How long have they been doing it and what their training is. Doctors who have the diploma in Cosmetic Medicine have done over 500 hours’ worth of training, compared to some people who just do a weekend course. I would also want to know that if they encountered a potential complication, they were equipped to handle it.”

Dr Lynn Theron adds, “Some treatments are more expensive as they require further advanced training and techniques, so are associated with higher risk of complication. For instance, tear trough filler and the risk of blindness. There is no margin for error.”

2. A personalised consultation and a customised treatment plan are key to achieving desired outcomes while maintaining a natural appearance.

“Our approach at Clinic42 is rooted in education, ensuring patients are well- informed before embarking on their aesthetic journey,” says Dr Lynn Theron. “It’s best to start with a consultation from an expert in the field. This field has grown very rapidly, and techniques are changing annually. Injectors who are part of accredited organisations will be trained to assess and diagnose what is causing your concerns. They will educate you on the process of change and ageing and provide options available to address these. You can then start your journey together.”

Dr Ellen Selkon adds, “A well trained cosmetic physician will know what to discuss and offer their patient. I have a large number of patients coming in to discuss jowling and facial sagging, asking for filler to be placed into their jowls. After explaining how anatomy and ageing affects the face, they then have an understanding that what they need is mid face filler and sometimes hardly anything in the lower face. A full facial assessment should be undertaken so that the doctor or nurse and the patient have an understanding of what the issue is and the best way to address it.”

3. The importance of cosmeceutical skincare

“There is no point in painting a masterpiece on a poor canvas!” says Dr Ellen Selkon. “This is where skincare fits in. Active skincare such as. Vitamin A , B and C have been scientifically proven to improve skin health and treat blemishes, fine lines and improve cellular turnover.”

Dr Lynn Theron adds, “Cosmeceuticals have come a long way over the past 20 years with incredible delivery systems that penetrate the skin. New topical growth factor serums, peptides, hyaluronic acid and collagen are gamechangers. All promote collagen synthesis, skin hydration, pigment control and cell communication. Skincare supports all the other cosmetic treatments.” And of course, an effective SPF of at least 30 is mandatory if you want to preserve your skin health and the signs of ageing.