Social media has changed many industries in the past decade, but one that it has undoubtedly influenced is the world of cosmetic surgery and esthetics.
"It's really affected the way that people view themselves, particularly younger women and what they believe is real or the standard of beauty versus what really is achievable," said Shelley Clarke, a certified esthetic nurse at Clinic 805.
With the clinic, which specializes in cosmetic surgery and medical esthetics, turning 15 this year, Clarke is reflecting on how the industry has changed and where Clinic 805 strives to make an impact. And as an aesthetic nurse for 23 years, she has a good sense of the whole picture.
Whereas Clarke used to see mostly patients in their 40s-60s coming in for "positively aging" treatments, now she sees younger and younger patients coming in, influenced by social media. Influencers like the Kardashians can give people unrealistic expectations about what aging looks like and AI is skewing our common perceptions of beauty, she said.
"I really feel that in our culture, women are really valued based on youth and beauty, and [it's] really [about] trying to talk to women about how important it is to appreciate where they're at," said Clarke, who added one of the most important parts of her role is how to respond to clients coming in with insecurities. "It's really just educating people about what's real and what isn't.
While unhealthy obsession with beauty is not what the clinic purports, Clarke said, in their work, they strive to make subtle changes that increase people's self-confidence. This can include medical aesthetic treatments such as removing sun damage with laser technology, or botox and fillers, to surgical procedures such as brow lifts, tummy tucks, and rhinoplasty (nose surgery).
"I've had multiple patients who have gone through really difficult times, like divorces or separations and felt at an all-time low. They'd always put themselves on the back burner and they were coming to just really get some support. And by doing some very minor procedures, it gave them confidence to be able to face some of their challenges in their lives and feel better about themselves," said Clarke. "It's just really wonderful to be able to walk through a journey with a patient that's been able to go through trials and tribulations and you've been there to help them along the way."
One of the biggest misconceptions people have about the industry is that cosmetic procedures will look unnatural, Clarke said. The result should be subtle, such as making someone look less angry, or more rested and refreshed.
"Everybody has seen somebody who looks over-treated, whether that be a weird-looking facelift or somebody that's got giant lips... Our goal is to enhance natural beauty or features."
Despite their increasing popularity, aesthetic treatments, like botox, dermal fillers, and lasers, are medical treatments and in Clarke's point of view, it is important for people seeking these services to consider the different standards of care between providers.
"It's really important that patients do their research and that they're looking for somebody who has a lot of experience. They can manage patient's expectations and complications that might happen."
Clinic 805 holds a Class 1 accreditation from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia, the highest level available to a private operating facility. Dr. Kenneth A. Smith, who founded and directs the clinic, has experience as a cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon and has worked in a burn unit and in trauma.
"He's worked with patients who've had horrible, disfiguring cougar bites or dog bites and he's been able to reconstruct their faces."
The clinic is located in the Parkside Hotel, where patients can stay while recovering from surgeries.
It's this standard of care that Shelly loves most about her job when looking at the clinic's 15-year history. That, and the collaborative team she works with.
"All the employees that work here at the clinic have years of experience working in the field, so I feel like we truly are experts."
This article is from the 2024 edition of Best of the City.
