Aesthetic Medicine procedures safe among patients of Autoimmune Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases

A recent study conducted at the National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology, and Rehabilitation in Warsaw, explored the safety of esthetic medicine (AM) procedures in individuals with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRD). The findings published in the Rheumatology International found the growing intersection of esthetic medicine and rheumatic care.

This extensive study examined the experiences of 497 AIRD patients who underwent various esthetic procedures encompassed a diverse range of esthetic procedures, including tattooing, piercing, hyaluronic acid injections, botulinum toxin treatments, laser procedures, plastic surgery, and mesotherapy. Notably, 70.2% of patients received concurrent treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), with TNF-alfa inhibitors being the most prevalent.

Surprisingly,  the adverse events were reported in only 15% of patients, all of which were characterized as mild and transient site reactions. Importantly, these reactions did not deter patients, as most expressed satisfaction with the results and an inclination to repeat the esthetic medicine procedure in the future.

The study revealed that the majority of patients opted for esthetic procedures during periods of remission or low disease activity. This sheds light on a potentially safe window for AIRD patients to explore esthetic enhancements.

The study acknowledges the need for further exploration, especially considering the relatively mild adverse events reported. Caution is advised, and the study underscores the importance of aligning esthetic procedures with evidence-based, standard-of-care treatments for AIRD. 

In the evolving landscape of medical aesthetics, this study provides valuable insights into the safety of esthetic procedures for a growing demographic of patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases. The findings contribute to ongoing discussions about expanding esthetic options for individuals managing complex health conditions, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach.

Reference:

Felis-Giemza, A., Matusiewicz, A., Wajda, A., & Olesińska, M. (2023). Safety of esthetic procedures in rheumatic patients: single-center survey of patients. In Rheumatology International. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-023-05481-5