Amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, many industries are grappling with resuming their operations while keeping safety practices in mind. The cosmetic surgery and procedures market are no different.

While being a part of the healthcare industry, the cosmetic surgery and procedures sector falls under non-essential services. This has significantly impacted the segment’s operations during social distancing measures. Within nearly two months of physical distancing in the U.S., most plastic surgeons and doctors initially had to reschedule their procedures only to cancel them afterwards.

However, now that the U.S. is turning towards reopening policies, cosmetic surgeons and doctors are not leaving their patients behind. While not wavering from their core goal of keeping people safe through the pandemic, these professionals are taking crucial steps to continue as many operations as possible.

Services are Resuming According to Local Guidelines

With nearly half of the states in the country trying to resume businesses amid COVID-19, a select few have already made way for plastic surgery and procedure centers to open their doors.

Maryland saw its first plastic surgery and procedure center reopening in Baltimore on May 11. Whereas, Texas allowed plastic surgeries and procedures to resume working. These relaxations on performing elective procedures come with the stipulation of maintaining strict safety guidelines.

As they reopen their facilities, cosmetic surgeons and doctors are rising up to these added challenges to mitigate risks of the novel coronavirus.

Your Doctor’s Office Will Not Look the Same

While getting back to their usual services with required modifications, almost all plastic surgery and procedure centers are moving forward while putting safety precautions front and center.

By taking a few necessary steps, these facilities have ensured to safeguard patient and staff health while running their operations.

These measures include but are not limited to:

– Healthcare staff wearing protective masks at all times.

– Healthcare staff using additional personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary.

– Doctors and surgeons using face shields during checkups and procedures.

– Facilities doing routine temperature checks on staff.

– Facilities checking patient temperature before entry.

– Facilities disinfecting all communal surfaces on a frequent basis.

– Facilities checking updated data and observations regarding COVID-19.

– Patients filling out screen questionnaires to assess risk.

By taking these measures, plastic surgery and procedure centers will ensure that they don’t compromise on patient safety while also catering to their needs.

Some Territories Are Operating with Added Caution

Cities have begun relaxing their restrictions on elective surgeries, including plastic surgeries and procedures. However, the move doesn’t come without a few strings.

When the Beverly Hills City Council allowed for elective surgeries to go through in early May, it didn’t specifically leave out plastic surgery from that relaxation. This allowed plastic surgery and procedure centers to reopen in the city.

With that being said, Beverly Hills Mayor Lester Friedman also outlined that purely cosmetic surgeries are not allowed under the City Council vote.

This air of added caution without clarification has made the rules confusing to follow for many facilities and their patients. But plastic surgeons and doctors’ offices are making it a point to stay in touch with their patients in order to guide them through pertinent regulations.

Since most reopening policies are directly related to local governing bodies, it’s recommended that you discuss your specific procedure’s status with your doctor’s office. They will be able to guide you through the process while complying with local reopening laws.

It is an Unprecedented Time, But Professionals Aren’t Losing Hope

With COVID-19 emerging as one of humanity’s biggest challenges, taking each step with the utmost care has become the new normal.

But considering that plastic surgeries and procedures also include highly crucial treatments such as those related to gender-affirming surgeries, it is essential that we find the balance between establishing safety and providing care for patients throughout the world.

Given that the advisory to wear masks in public came a few weeks into the outbreak, we might see additional safety precautions and advisories in the upcoming weeks. Even with this challenge in mind, plastic surgeons and doctors are vowing to move forward with the reopening efforts while implementing all safety procedures suggested by public health experts.