A recent review of Social Media published by The Patient’s Guide® unveils a growing new trend towards male interest in cosmetic treatments.  In the last 30 days leading up to Father’s Day, a review of Facebook and Twitter posts indicate that 40% of all social media references to BOTOX® (http://www.wrinkles.org/botoxinjections.aspx) were now made by men. Botox, a well-known injectable made by Allergan, Inc., which relaxes the facial muscles that create wrinkles, is the most common cosmetic treatment mentioned in social media. It’s no wonder why this procedure has sprouted its new nickname, dubbed Brotox, to cater to its growing male audience.

See survey’s INFOGRAPHIC at http://www.wrinkles.org/brotox.aspx.

As a result, cosmetic practices have also seen an increase in male patients. “10-15% of my patients are males who come in for Botox and other cosmetic injectable treatments. That number is definitely up from previous years,” says Dr. Jason Bloom, a Facial Plastic Surgeon in Philadelphia. “Male patients are being brought in by their significant others for Botox, or have seen their wives after receiving Botox and are interested in seeing how it can help them.”

On average, these male Botox users are between the ages of 42-57. “Male interest in aesthetic treatments is up 44% from Q1 of last year to this year,” said Jasson W. Gilmore, CEO and Co-Founder of The Patient’s Guide. “Based on these results, along with feedback from physicians in the field, we expect this trend to continue. As cosmetic treatments like BOTOX®, Juvederm® (http://www.wrinkles.org/juvederm.aspx) and Ulthera® (http://www.wrinkles.org/ulthera.aspx) become more mainstream, men will adopt them and represent a strong growth segment for the industry.”

Dr. Frederick Brandt, a celebrity dermatologist known internationally for his revolutionary role in the field of dermatology and injectables, has seen a similar trend in his practice in Miami. “Men want to look as good as they feel, and also due to the economic downturn they need to keep up their younger look to be competitive in the job market. With non-invasive procedures they can have a fresh look without surgery.” Dr. Brandt has also witnessed friends and family purchase cosmetic procedures for their father or husband on special holidays and birthdays.

For further details please contact Brittney Roberts at Brittney@patientsguide.com

About The Patient’s Guide:
Each month over one million visitors trust The Patient’s Guide, a platform of niche beauty properties each dedicated to a specific condition or treatment. Visitors trust the information provided because the content is written by the field’s leading experts with over 150 years of collective dermatology experience. For more information, visit www.PatientsGuide.com.

BOTOX® and Juvederm® are registered trademarks of Allergan, Inc.

Ulthera® is a registered trademark of Ulthera, Inc.

SOURCE The Patient’s Guide

Real original press release: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trends-cosmetic-treatments-are-in-for-fathers-day-infographic-158875125.html

With a 75% increase of individuals researching aesthetic procedures online in January 2012 vs. January 2011, the importance of website conversion is more valuable now than ever before. 

One of the most important roles of your practice’s website is to foster an environment where potential patients feel confident and secure. Due to rising fear of medical malpractice and under-regulated medi-spas within the aesthetic industry, patients have reason to be hesitant when searching for a cosmetic physician online. Studies show that minor adjustments, such as adding “trust seals” to an online website, can have a direct impact on generating numerous new patients.

A “trust seal” is a coined term used to refer to an image websites use to address the fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUDs) of visitors and move them forward in the conversion funnel. Within the medical field, these seals have a positive impact on website visitors as it exhibits a practice as well reputed and creates an advantage above competitive practices in the same area.

4 Tips for Highest Conversion:

1. Location: Location, Location, Location. Just like real estate, LOCATION is key to maximize your returns. Trust seals typically provide best returns when present on your homepage and any other page that involves visitors taking action such as calling for an appointment or entering personal contact information. Want an expert opinion? Feel free to email us your website URL to contact us and we will have our website development specialists provide their analysis and feedback. After all, helping improve your business is what we are all about.

2. Quantity: Just like having “0″ seals on a website will hurt, having 20 seals on one page is actually going to hurt you as well. Having 2-3 seals that are recognized by your visitors is best.

3. Choose the Right Seals: These third party seals of approval can be categorized into privacy seals, business validity seals, PCI compliancy seals, hacker safe seals and others. It may be useful to know that there are seals which are unique to certain industries (like the Pharmacy Checker for online pharmacies and our very own Patient’s Guide seal for aesthetic practices) and seals which can be used on most websites (business verification seals). More suggestions for the aesthetic industry below.

4. Test: Test which location is best for your website’s conversion. We recommend testing near the logo in the top left or on the top right hand corner of your website. Another good location to test is near the main call to action button. If you are selling products or services on your site, the checkout page is a must for all trust seals.

Just as your privacy policy helps visitors feel more secure submitting their email address or other personal information, so do third-party seals of approval.  In addition to our Patient’s Guide seal, the Better Business Bureau, VeriSign, American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) have other well-known seals that you may choose to display on your website that indicate you are a member of these organizations and they are vouching for your credibility.

Next Step: Many of our preferred members are currently displaying The Patient’s Guide seal on their website. If you too would like to increase your website validity and generate more patients, please contact us to see if you qualify.

“There’s been a significant increase in the number of patients who desire tattoo removal for career advancement or for employment reasons,” says Dr. Eric Bernstein, renowned laser expert and Associate Clinical Professor at University of Pennsylvania.  “I think this is as wrong as any other kind of discrimination, but patients tell me that their tattoos are affecting their professional lives.  Many feel that their body could be holding them back and this has resulted in more folks seeking tattoo removal.”

Through The Patient Guide’s proprietary appointment tracking system, aggregate data was analyzed for in-office laser tattoo reduction procedures and was collected for 2 years in locations throughout North America.  Survey data from over 700 participants was then collected to better understand patient demographics and motivations.  Patients were asked to indicate their main reason for initiating the treatment.  The leading selection was ‘Employment Reasons’ which accounted for a whopping 40% of all submissions, followed by ‘Name of Ex-Partner/Spouse’ (18%), ‘Change of Beliefs’ (16%), ‘Other’ (15%), and ‘Unhappy/Don’t Like it’ (11%).  “Employment reasons is up from 25% on a similar study done last year,” said Mr. Gilmore. “It would appear that the economy is driving patients to seek laser treatment that may have otherwise not been interested in doing so.”

For further details on the data, please contact Brittney Roberts at Brittney@patientsguide.com

About The Patient’s Guide
The Patient’s Guide’s mission is to provide the most accurate medical information to enable consumers to make educated decisions about aesthetic treatments. The Patient’s Guide team includes leading physicians in the fields of laser and dermatology. These experts are the innovators in skin care and cosmetic dermatology technology breakthroughs, including hair removal, skin rejuvenation, fat reduction and cellulite treatment. Each month over one million visitors go to The Patient’s Guide, a family of 25 web publications, each dedicated to a specific condition or treatment. Visitors rely on the information The Patient’s Guide provides because the information is written by leading experts. For more information please visit patientsguide.com.

Through The Patient Guide’s proprietary appointment tracking system, aggregate data was analyzed for non-invasive technologies like Coolsculpting, Velashape, and Liposonix (http://www.cellulite-treatment.com/liposonix.aspx) was collected for over a year in 205 of the participating medical practices. ”30.3% of the overall demand came from men, which is up from 13% last year.  We compared this to other aesthetic treatments and the level of motivation is similar to that of more serious general dermatology concerns, such as rosacea or mole checks,” said Mr. Gilmore. “The level of interest and willingness to act is high in this vertical.”

Part of that growth can be attributed to the medical device companies new marketing strategies.  Non-surgical techniques are being marketed to healthier patients whom have trouble getting rid of stubborn pockets of fat, rather than patients who are far more obese and in need of more serious treatments.  Not every individual needs traditional invasive techniques like liposuction or tummy tucks.  A much larger market exists for weight-conscious Americans who consistently diet and exercise, but need help attaining their ideal weight goals.  Men comprise a very large portion of that demographic. Treatments like Coolsculpting (http://www.fatremoval.org/cryolipolysis.aspx), (http://www.body-contouring.com/zeltiq.aspx) which require no surgery and only an hour commitment offer a discreet way for men to seek treatment while avoiding any perceived social stigmas.

Dr. Eric Bernstein, renowned laser expert and Associate Clinical Professor at University of Pennsylvania, says. “There’s no question the overall demand for non-surgical fat reduction has boomed over the course of 2011 and into 2012. I’m also seeing more men for this type of treatment than compared with my other patient demographics.” Dr. Bernstein expects the trend to continue, especially with neophytes. “I think these treatments are introducing new patients into our practice that may not have been your typical cosmetic patients.”

For further details on the data, please contact Brittney Roberts at Brittney@patientsguide.com

About The Patient’s Guide

The Patient’s Guide’s mission is to provide the most accurate medical information to enable consumers to make educated decisions about aesthetic treatments. The Patient’s Guide team includes leading physicians in the fields of laser and dermatology. These experts are the innovators in skin care and cosmetic dermatology technology breakthroughs, including hair removal, skin rejuvenation, fat reduction and cellulite treatment. Each month over one million visitors go to The Patient’s Guide, a family of 25 web publications, each dedicated to a specific condition or treatment. Visitors rely on the information The Patient’s Guide provides because the information is written by leading experts. For more information please visit patientsguide.com.

IRVINE, Calif., March 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – The Patient’s Guide, the leading online destination in skin care and beauty, has partnered with Cynosure, Inc., a leader in laser and light-based treatments for minimally invasive and non-invasive aesthetic applications, to launch an authority website for onychomycosis, a niche medical condition, www.Nail-Fungus.com. The website will educate visitors on the troublesome topic of nail fungus and its causes, symptoms, cutting-edge methods for treatment and prevention as well as a powerful tool enabling individuals to find a qualified doctor near them.

The Patient’s Guide embraced this chronic condition affecting 36 million Americans and created an inviting community backed and supported by leading experts in the field.

“A fungal infection, or onychomycosis, is the most common type of nail disease affecting as many as 8 percent of all adults and 20 percent of adults over the age of 40,” said Dr. Eric Bernstein, distinguished practitioner and innovator in the field of dermatology and laser surgery and co-founder of The Patient’s Guide. “Because many consider nail fungus to be an embarrassing problem, this silent epidemic has snuck up on millions of Americans. Nail-Fungus.com is a powerful tool readily available to those searching for a cure.”

Many infected individuals are not aware of the recent advances in medicine that can dramatically improve the quality of their everyday life. Like 30+ similar websites published by The Patient’s Guide, visitors of Nail-Fungus.com not only have the opportunity to learn about nail fungus and its causes, signs and symptoms, risks and complications, prevention methods, real life stories, and possible treatment options written and supported by the leading doctors in the field, but they can also search an extensive list of qualified doctors providing the latest FDA-approved technology that can remove nail fungus using an in-office procedure which takes about 10 minutes per foot with the Pinpointe FootLaser.

Jasson Gilmore, The Patient’s Guide’s CEO and co-founder said, “This is an exciting announcement for our company based on its position within the field of podiatry. Since 2005 we have targeted our efforts to saturate the aesthetic skin care industry. We look forward to making an immediate impact within this complimentary and rapidly growing field of aesthetic foot care.”

About The Patient’s Guide:

Each month over one million visitors trust The Patient’s Guide, an extensive platform of niche beauty properties, each dedicated to a specific condition or treatment. Visitors trust the information provided because the content is written by the field’s leading experts, with over 150 years of collective dermatology experience. Due to high quality content and a user friendly experience, hundreds of thousands of visitors per month entrust their cosmetic needs to the doctors found on The Patient’s Guide websites. As a result, over 1,500 physicians rely on The Patient’s Guide to improve the value of their practice by providing numerous new patient leads. For more information, visit www.PatientsGuide.com.

If you would like more information on this, or other aspects of The Patient’s Guide, please contact Brittney Roberts at Brittney@patientsguide.com

About Cynosure, Inc.

Cynosure, Inc. develops and markets aesthetic treatment systems that are used by physicians and other practitioners to perform non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures to remove hair, treat vascular and pigmented lesions, rejuvenate the skin, liquefy and remove unwanted fat through laser lipolysis, reduce the appearance of cellulite and treat Onychomycosis. Cynosure’s productsinclude a broad range of laser and other light-based energy sources, including Alexandrite, pulse dye, Q-switched, Nd:YAG and diode lasers, as well as intense pulsed light. Cynosure was founded in 1991. For corporate or product information, contact Cynosure at 800-886-2966, or visit www.Cynosure.com.

IRVINE, Calif., March 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — The leading online destination in beauty, The Patient’s Guide, announced today that it has acquired the domain ExcessiveSweating.com to add to their extensive list of 2000+ consumer information sites. Joining these top-ranked sites with over one million monthly visitors, The Patient’s Guide aims to make ExcessiveSweating.com the foremost online destination for hyperhidrosis.

“Those suffering from hyperhidrosis are constantly aware of this condition that impacts their daily professional, academic and social lifestyles,” said Dr. Eric Bernstein, distinguished practitioner and innovator in the field of dermatology and laser surgery and co-founder of The Patient’s Guide. “Many affected individuals are not aware of the recent advances in medicine that can dramatically improve the quality of their everyday life. ExcessiveSweating.com will be a powerful tool readily available to those searching for answers.”

For example, someone seeking a solution for their sweaty palms will turn to Google and search “how to stop sweaty palms” and will land on ExcessiveSweating.com which will reveal physician-written content about possible causes, prevention and treatment options. Having discovered their options, visitors may use the doctor locator tool to find a physician near them.

Considering the combination of approximately 8.4 million Americans affected by this often uncontrollable condition and the number of adults turning to online resources for medical advice, the online community is desperate for a reliable source of information.

Jasson Gilmore, CEO and co-founder of The Patient’s Guide, said, “We are extremely excited to announce our acquisition of ExcessiveSweating.com to provide the most up-to-date information about excessive sweating and lead people to the best practitioners for treating this common and troubling condition. This acquisition furthers our goal to expand our authoritative reputation in aesthetic beauty with trusted content available to the online community.”

Due to much anticipation from the aesthetic industry, The Patient’s Guide expects to launch the fully designed website during the spring of 2012.  At this time, visitors of the ExcessiveSweating.com website can enter their email address to be amongst the first group notified when the site goes live.

About The Patient’s Guide:

Each month over one million visitors trust The Patient’s Guide, a platform of niche beauty properties each dedicated to a specific condition or treatment. Visitors trust the information provided because the content is written by the field’s leading experts with over 150 years of collective dermatology experience. Due to high quality content and a user friendly experience, hundreds of thousands of visitors per month entrust their cosmetic needs to the doctors found on The Patient’s Guide websites. As a result, over 1,500 physicians rely on The Patient’s Guide to improve the value of their practice by providing numerous new patient leads. For more information, visit www.PatientsGuide.com.

Contact:

Brittney Roberts
Director of Marketing Communications
brittney@patientsguide.com
949-264-2550