The desire to look beautiful is universal, and even those with chronic illnesses also hope to maintain their beauty. However, before undergoing medical aesthetic treatments, what should they pay attention to?
The condition of our skin reflects the overall health of our body. Chronic illnesses can have a significant impact on the body, accelerating skin aging and requiring extra care to maintain stable skin. Different illnesses can affect the skin differently; for example, skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis can be particularly severe. Even problems with internal organs, such as the liver or kidneys, can be reflected on the skin, resulting in dullness and yellowing. Moreover, medications taken by chronic patients, such as diuretics for heart disease or steroids for inflammation, can further burden the skin.
Patients who wish to improve their appearance through medical aesthetic treatments may worry about whether their bodies can withstand the risks associated with the treatment.
Chronic illnesses are defined as ongoing or long-term health conditions or diseases. “Chronic” is commonly used to describe non-infectious diseases that last for more than three months. Common chronic illnesses include arthritis, asthma, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. The factors to consider when determining whether patients with chronic illnesses can undergo medical aesthetic treatment include the severity of their illnesses, contraindications, and potential side effects of the medications they are taking.
- Severity – When a patient’s chronic illness is severe, such as uncontrolled hypertension or heart failure, doctors will advise patients to address their health problems first before considering medical aesthetic treatments. Otherwise, the exacerbation of their illness can even endanger their lives.
- Contraindications – Some chronic illnesses may not be suitable for certain types of medical aesthetic treatments, such as patients with myasthenia gravis who cannot receive botulinum toxin injections, or lupus erythematosus patients who cannot undergo laser therapy. Doctors need to be clear about the contraindications for each treatment and explain them to their patients.
- Risk – Certain medications or treatments can increase the risk of treatment, such as patients taking photosensitive drugs cannot receive laser therapy, or those taking anticoagulants will experience increased bleeding after injection therapy. Doctors will select the appropriate treatment to reduce the risk.
It is important to remember that not all chronic illnesses are unsuitable for medical aesthetic treatments. However, patients must be diagnosed and informed of the associated risks by a doctor before undergoing any treatment. While the desire to look beautiful is natural, patients with chronic illnesses can also enjoy a beautiful life by choosing the right treatment.