“The Undetectable Era”: How Patients Are Shifting Towards More Natural-Looking Results at the Clinic

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In the world of aesthetics, the concept of natural beauty is evolving at a rapid pace. Clinicians like Kristy Hamilton, MD, FACS, a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Houston, Texas, are at the forefront of this change. Hamilton, who is also the Social Media Committee chair for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, is passionate about delivering results that enhance beauty without drawing attention to the procedures themselves.

What is “The Undetectable Era?”

The "undetectable era" refers to a shift in aesthetic procedures where patients are seeking results that are so subtle and natural that they do not immediately reveal the hand of surgery or injectables. Hamilton believes that this trend is driven by a combination of earlier intervention, the influence of celebrities, and the accessibility of social media.

Recent data from Allergan Aesthetics supports this as filler patients desireless of an overall change in appearance, compared to 3 years ago.¹ In 2021, 37% of patients were looking to enhance, change, or augment their appearance. This number has now dropped to 22%, as dermal filler users have a more focused approach to wrinkle treatment. Over half of patients are looking to treat and minimize current wrinkles while preventing further progression.

Moreover, 58% of patients, especially those who are new to using fillers, are looking for results that are only noticeable to themselves and their friends or families. Less than 10% of users are looking for more drastic changes that completely alter their current look.

The Recent Impact of Social Media

Hamilton noted that social media, particularly platforms like Instagram and TikTok, has had a profound influence on the public’s perception of beauty and aesthetics. Patients today have access to a wealth of information, and they can see firsthand the kinds of results that are possible, especially if the algorithm continuously pushes this content toward them. Nowadays, celebrities and influencers frequently share their cosmetic procedures, creating a sense of transparency and normalization around aesthetic enhancements.

“I think we've seen some really excellent examples of men and women, but particularly women aging so beautifully, and it just begs the question...What are they doing? How are they doing it?” Hamilton said. “So, the general public now has seen that you can have beautifully executed results. You can do it earlier and you can look amazing.”

Beyond celebrities, micro-influencers have also contributed to this movement by sharing their in-depth experiences with minimally invasive procedures. Hamilton highlighted a specific instance when a local patient shared her experience with submental liposuction on social media. The result was a surge of inquiries to her office, as others were eager to know more about the lasting improvements and quick recovery time.

“It's good to have your finger on the pulse of what people are talking about exactly,” Hamilton noted.

Kristy Hamilton, MD, FACS

The Latest Advancements in Aesthetic Procedures

As patients increasingly search for more natural outcomes, Hamilton’s practice, which specializes in aesthetics, has embraced a variety of advancements in both surgical and non-surgical procedures. One of the key factors in achieving a natural look is knowing when non-surgical interventions, such as dermal fillers, are no longer effective for the permanent lifting results a patient may be looking for.

“You're going to have a much happier patient if you refer them to the plastic surgeon that does facelifts down the street, as opposed to over-volumizing them in pursuit of a smoother look,” Hamilton advised.

Another crucial element in achieving natural results is treating the face as a cohesive unit. Hamilton stressed the importance of analyzing the face or body and taking a comprehensive and balanced approach to aesthetic treatments by developing a patient plan over the course of a year or two. Specifically, with injectables, Hamilton highlighted the potential pitfalls of overuse or misuse. While fillers provide beautiful, subtle results, they require careful application to avoid a puffy, unnatural appearance.

“Everyone can spot the example of unnatural filler a mile away, but they're not hearing about the really natural results that are quietly walking by them in the hallway,” Hamilton said.

How to Set Realistic Expectations for Patients

As patients continue to seek these natural-looking results, it’s essential for dermatologists and plastic surgeons to set realistic expectations. Hamilton advised that the best way to build trust with patients is to show them realistic examples. In her practice, she and her staff openly discuss their own experiences with Botox and other aesthetic procedures, which she calls “your best advertisement for what you’re able to do.”

“Your lobby is a helpful place,” Hamilton suggested. “So [patients] see living, breathing, walking, examples of people that look subtle and elegant and beautiful, and then they feel more confident.”

Hamilton also emphasized the importance of starting with a simple procedure or a small amount of filler, allowing newer patients to become comfortable with the process. As patients see the subtle improvements clinicians make for them initially, they’re more likely to trust them with more procedures in the future.

Is This Just a Fad or the Future?

Looking ahead, Hamilton is excited about the future of aesthetic medicine. She is particularly enthusiastic about regenerative medicine, specifically exosomes, which harness the power of the body’s own tissues to promote healing. This approach could be a game-changer in non-surgical aesthetics, allowing for more natural and long-lasting results. Overall, Hamilton believes that the undetectable trend toward more natural results is not a passing fad but rather a lasting shift in patient expectations.

"I think it’s here to stay,” she declared. “This has always been my aesthetic. I know my patients have wanted that."

In the past, patients would often defer to their dermatologists' recommendations without much input, resulting in a more cookie-cutter approach to cosmetic procedures. Today, however, there is a stronger emphasis on personalized collaboration between the patient and the clinician. Patients are much more involved in the conversation, expressing their preferences for how they want to look. Hamilton considers it to be a “partnership,” but always ensures that the patient’s desires are at the center of the conversation.

“We're just in a completely different space. Women are empowered. They're working women, they're moms or both...however they choose their lives,” she said. “We're just here to uplift, build confidence. And if you're building confidence for women in aesthetics, you have to get a sense of what they are trying to do. So that can't be just my own aesthetic applied to them, it has to be a conversation.”

With this undetectable era comes a shift in the way the industry approaches beauty, especially in women. As major aesthetic transformations have recently been replaced with discreet procedures that enhance existing features, it seems that this trend is here to stay.

“I'm glad that we're heading in this direction because this is what we want for everybody. It just highlights the power of our techniques and the materials that we have now to work with,” Hamilton concluded. “We really can keep people looking so refined, elegant, and natural as time goes on.”

Reference

1. Allergan Aesthetics, Data on File, 2024-PR-JUV-Filler Consumer Aesthetic Tracker Quant, REF-134721.