Dr. LightCosmetic surgery and hormone replacement address the same issue from different vantage points. As such, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, or BHRT, is a powerful tool that should be incorporated into all successful cosmetic practices, according to Kevin Light, DO, MBA, a cosmetic surgeon and age management specialist in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Light presented “Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy and the Cosmetic Surgery Practice” yesterday at the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery’s (AACS’s) 2017 annual scientific meeting in San Diego, Calif.
Dr. Light, author of the book OutSmart Aging, tells Cosmetic Surgery Times that, from a cosmetic perspective, aging negatively impacts the skin, with thinning, wrinkling, age spots and pigmentation, as well as loss of elasticity, resiliency and glow. Cosmetic aging results in soft tissue volume loss, in the face, breast and abdomen. It also results in bone loss, or shrinkage of the skull and mandible; hair loss, weight gain and fat redistribution.
Hormone loss causes impaired wound healing and immune function, which can impact cosmetic surgery patients. Hormone loss also results in quality of life issues, from energy and sleep, to concentration, memory, libido and sexual function, he says.
“BHRT can halt or reverse all of this. This is no longer 'magic' and is well documented in the literature,” Dr. Light says.
From a business perspective, bioidentical hormone therapy is a $15 billion business and trending positively, Dr. Light says.
“Patients are aware of it and are demanding it. Several early adopter plastic and cosmetic surgeons around the country already offer it,” Dr. Light says. “BHRT… is a powerful adjunct to age management and enhances patient 'stickiness' for the cosmetic surgery practice. The business model is easy and can be delegated to others. It presents incredible cross-sell opportunities.”
NEXT: Dr. Light’s Tips for Getting Started
Dr. Light’s Tips for Getting Started
- Get quality training for you and your staff.
- Be the first on your block to offer it and market it aggressively.
- As in all medicine, adhere to your local standard of care and establish your protocols based on accepted guidelines and protocols.
- Remember, many patients may not be candidates for BHRT, so one must qualify them just like one does for cosmetic surgery.
“BHRT is a hot trend. Just look at the popularity of low-T centers,” Dr. Light says. “The published science, public awareness and demand have escalated significantly, and the time is ripe to enter this market. More doctors are taking advantage of this opportunity to add another powerful tool to their quest of helping their patients look and feel fabulous — to out-smart aging.”
