Understanding the Female Hispanic and Latino American Facial Aesthetic Patient
July 2019 | Volume 18 | Issue 7 | Original Article | 623 | Copyright © July 2019
Sabrina Fabi MD,a José Raúl Montes MD FACS FACCS,b Shino Bay Aguilera DO,c Vivian Bucay MD FAAD,d Stephanie Manson Brown MBBS MRCS MFPM,e Nazanin Ashourian PhDf
ªCosmetic Laser Dermatology, San Diego, CA
BJosé Raúl Montes Eyes & Facial Rejuvenation, San Juan, Puerto Rico
cSHINO BAY Cosmetic Dermatology & Laser Institute, Fort Lauderdale, FL
dBucay Center for Dermatology and Aesthetics, San Antonio, TX
EAllergan plc, Marlow, UK
fAllergan plc, Madison, NJ
Abstract
Background: Among the growing aesthetic patient population, Hispanic/Latinos represent the largest proportion of non-Caucasians patients. While treatment of Caucasian facial aging patterns are well documented, far less information describes the aesthetic needs of the Hispanic/Latino patient.
Objective: An online study was designed to survey facial aesthetic concerns, treatment priorities, and future treatment considerations among a US-based population of Hispanic/Latino American women.
Materials and Methods: A total of 401 participants ages 30 to 65 years reported their attitudes toward facial aging, current facial conditions, most bothersome facial areas, areas most/least likely to be treated first, awareness of treatment options and their consideration rates, and motives and barriers that factor into consideration of injectable treatments.
Results: Most participants wanted to look good for their age and treatment interests reflected predominant conditions: facial wrinkles, periorbital signs of aging, and uneven skin tone. Most bothersome facial areas included the submental area, periorbital area, and forehead, which were also among the areas most-likely to treat first. The majority of participants would consider injectables. Cost and safety/side effects were cited as frequent concerns.
Conclusion: An understanding of the facial aesthetic concerns and treatment priorities specific to Hispanic/Latino women will enhance the practitioner’s patient-centric treatment approach.
J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(7):623-632.
INTRODUCTION
The growing popularity of cosmetic procedures has increased the racial and ethnic diversity of the aesthetic practitioner's patient population. This growing diversity is reflected by a 52% increase in the total number of Hispanic patients who received cosmetic procedures within the past decade in the USA.1,2 Minimally-invasive facial aesthetic treatments are also an increasing trend and accounted for 90% of all procedures performed in the USA in 2017 with neuromodulators and dermal fillers representing mainstay treatment modalities.2 Among the growing aesthetic patient population, Hispanic/Latinos have represented the largest proportion of non-Caucasian patients (versus African Americans and Asian Americans) receiving neuromodulators and dermal fillers for the last 5 years in a row.3
The descriptors “Hispanic” and “Latino” (also known as Mestizo) define an ethnic group which includes individuals of Mexican, Central-to-South American descent, and those of Spanish-Caribbean descent (eg, Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican). Hispanic/Latino Americans are also represented by a range of cultures, languages, and biological ancestry which include Asian, African, European, and native North, Central, and South American.4 As facial structure and skin type contribute to the characteristic and the progression of facial aging, it must be appreciated that the diversity within the Hispanic/Latino population makes this facial aesthetic patient also potentially the most diverse to treat.5-8 The practitioner will need to evaluate and sort out the patient’s predominant phenotype with respect to skin type and baseline facial structure to determine the best treatment approach.
While there is much published on the treatment approaches suitable for non-Hispanic white patients, there are far fewer that address the specific aesthetic needs of the Hispanic/Latino patient. An individual’s racial and ethnic identity also imbues a cultural influence on standards of beauty, attitudes toward appearance, and priorities in the management of facial aging.9-11 For the culturally-competent practitioner, an awareness of not
