UC Irvine

This commentary evaluates trends in the factors influencing consumer decision-making for cosmetic dermatologic procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. This is a follow-up national survey to one that was published 1 year ago. This study compares the data from Summer 2020 to early Summer 2021, which presents a stark contrast. Our results demonstrate that consumers are now more interested in cosmetic dermatologic procedures compared to 1 year prior. Additionally, they still value the overall safety of the clinic, so physicians should ensure that certain safety measures remain in place despite any decreasing rates of COVID-19 positivity. Our survey sheds more light on current consumer perspectives, which may in turn help physicians adjust their practices to meet current demand. It is important for physicians to be knowledgeable regarding the patterns of consumer decision-making in order to deliver appropriate patient education and provide proper patient outreach during the COVID-19 pandemic.