The so-called “Zoom effect” has contributed to a shift in the aesthetic industry. The predominantly homebound existences during the pandemic created a demand for plastic surgery post-pandemic boom. Millennials and Gen Zers constitute the largest age group interested in aesthetic procedures, surpassing Gen Xers and Boomers, with a much more unapologetic approach to cosmetic procedures than older generations. Increased screen time and video calls has led to "Zoom dysmorphia," a kind of selfie dysmorphia 2.0. Of those partaking in weekly video conference calls, nearly half of the surgery respondents were interested in non-surgical (39%) and surgical treatments (37%).
“Doctors are seeing more and more patients who are certain of the results they are looking to achieve or the procedure they want to undergo because of what they've seen on social media or heard about from friends. This is leading to the influx of misinformation and unrealistic expectations," says William A. Kennedy III, MD, founder and CEO of AEDIT, the online portal that connects aesthetic patients and providers. "As a way to address this situation, we set out to create not only a platform that would offer medically approved and easy-to-understand information, but also a 3D Aesthetic Simulator—the AEDITOR—that allows users to virtually 'try on' cosmetic procedures and visualize realistic potential results right from the palm of their hand.”
The confluence of the demand for cosmetic procedures with the adoption of telehealth fueled by the pandemic has created the perfect moment for the AEDIT iOS app, featuring the AEDITOR. The first-of-its-kind technology revolutionizes the doctor/patient experience through a patented 3D Aesthetic Simulator, allowing patients to access medically accurate results of a contemplated cosmetic procedure. Before AEDIT, comparable technology was only available with expensive, bulky in-office equipment. This new technology allows patients to explore procedures like Botox, fillers, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, and facial masculinization and feminization, in the privacy of their own homes. Plastic surgery consultations that were once only available in person because of the need for hands-on patient evaluation are now routinely performed virtually.
Earlier this year, AEDIT teamed up with ACUPOLL to survey 1,000 men and women over 18 to uncover 2020’s biggest beauty and aesthetic trends, and the results are clear: 44 percent of survey respondents wish there were a way to see how cosmetic surgery would affect their face before taking the leap. This desire increased among younger women, with 50 percent of millennials and 51 percent of Gen Z showing interest in the ability to predict the outcome of aesthetic procedures. Moreover, 55 percent indicated that they would be interested in an app or website that allows them to see how treatments affect their appearance in a medically accurate way.
The AEDIT app was launched in 2018 to train its machine-learning algorithms to appropriately measure a user's facial features, determine if they are a good candidate for specific procedures, and allow them to visualize their potential results. Since then, the app relaunched in May 2021 with six try-on procedures, 400+ medically accurate procedure guides, and a bookable provider network.
The app works by scanning and measuring the face using 100,000 facial recognition points. Then, AEDIT's proprietary technology creates an individualized experience with accurate results, allowing users to "try on" different cosmetic treatments and procedures. After, the 3D photo can be used for a more detailed virtual consultation with a top doctor approved for the AEDIT network.
The beauty tech space allows consumers to engage with the industry in a whole new way, emphasizing personalized experiences and enabling consumers to be in control of their decisions—whether it's virtually trying on lipstick or trying on a cosmetic procedure. Telemedicine and digital solutions to what were once considered “in-person” activities are here to stay. The company has seen a 197% YoY increase in traffic to its Concern & Solutions Database and a spike in consultations booked through the platform.
