Psychological Aspects of Aesthetics

The notion of beauty is as varied as the individual patient. What one person perceives as attractive may be unsightly to another. Trust in the practitioner to provide an aesthetic outcome that corresponds to the patient’s perception is paramount to patient satisfaction. If the perception of beauty of the patient is similar to that of the practitioner, the patient would be satisfied, and the practitioner would be proud of their work. However, awareness of realistic expectations and the perception of beauty are very subjective and open to wide interpretation. To ensure aesthetic patients have realistic expectations, thorough consultation and management of expectations must be included in the initial evaluation. When the patient has a clear understanding about treatment aspects, for example, cost, result, and recovery, the patient is likely to be pleased. An unexpected, unrealistic, or undesired outcome is a disappointment to all involved and in extreme cases could lead to legal implications. Avoidance of negative outcomes and possible legal issues is crucial, and the aesthetic practitioner should understand how to prevent or resolve these potential situations by being aware of potential psychologic issues that might underpin the treatment session.