As the world begins to slowly (and as safely as possible) reopen amid the current COVID-19 pandemic, elective medical procedures are back on the table for many Americans. While a looming colonoscopy or the root canal that’s been on hold for months might not be at the very top of your to-do list, a long-awaited appointment for Botox is a completely different story.
Umbareen Mahmood, MD, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in New York City, says that the demand for Botox has increased exponentially over the past few months. The reasoning, she explains, is likely two-fold: a combination of backlog and the natural stress response to the state of the world.
PHOTO: GOTHAM/GETTY IMAGES.
As the world begins to slowly (and as safely as possible) reopen amid the current COVID-19 pandemic, elective medical procedures are back on the table for many Americans. While a looming colonoscopy or the root canal that’s been on hold for months might not be at the very top of your to-do list, a long-awaited appointment for Botox is a completely different story.
Umbareen Mahmood, MD, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in New York City, says that the demand for Botox has increased exponentially over the past few months. The reasoning, she explains, is likely two-fold: a combination of backlog and the natural stress response to the state of the world.
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“Feelings of stress and anxiety cause facial muscles to tense up, resulting in wrinkles and furrows,” Dr. Mahmood says. “Plus, with nonstop Zoom calls being the new normal, it’s easier than ever for people to scrutinize their own reflection. For those who have had Botox before, they may realize it has worn off, and for others who never had it, this opportunity gives them time to research what it’s all about.”
No matter which camp you fall into, the procedure will look a lot different for the foreseeable future, with additional safety precautions in place to protect both doctor and patient from contracting coronavirus. Ahead, we consulted surgeons, dermatologists, and public-health experts to break down what the safest possible facial-injection experience should look like during this time — when and if you chose to go.
First, Contact Your Clinic
Seeing as the number of COVID-19 cases varies city by city, public-health expert Karl Minges, PhD, says that you should always adhere to your own state’s public-health guidelines before scheduling an elective procedure such as Botox. If your local dermatologist or outpatient clinic has been given the green light to reopen, call beforehand and inquire about the increased safety measures in place.
“In terms of safety precautions, I would contact the clinic prior to any visit and ask if the staff are routinely tested for COVID-19, and how the clinic is preventing the transmission of the virus among its patients,” Dr. Minges says. “As dermatological procedures such as Botox injections often require the removal of a mask, patients should also ask how often the rooms are disinfected and the length of intervals between procedures in a given exam room.”
