Beyond the Rainbow: How Aesthetic Medicine Empowers LGBTQ+ Self-Expression

Here at Fox, we champion diversity and equality – passionately advocating for acceptance and embracing every aspect of life with open arms. As we celebrate Pride month and extend our support beyond, we are committed to lighting the path towards LGBTQ+ equality. Our focus lies on the power of aesthetic medicine within the LGBTQ+ community, where self-expression thrives, and our shared goal is to inspire a profound sense of authenticity.

As an industry, aesthetic medicine stands as a stronghold for self-confidence and individualism, promoting fairness and acceptance amongst all. Collectively, the aim for aesthetic medicine, especially at Fox, sits with empowering people to be the best version of themselves, whoever they aspire to be. Plus, we take immense pride in fostering an environment that cherishes diversity, regardless of age, gender, or sexuality.

With ever-growing advancements in treatment options, the aesthetic industry now offers an array of  non-surgical alternatives that empower both transgender and cisgender individuals to enhance or transform their natural features in way that helps to inspire confidence. Through this transformative journey, we aspire to create a reflection in the mirror for our clients that aligns with the person they are inside.

We believe that love knows no boundaries. This Pride season, we invite you to join us as we embark on this remarkable journey, where aesthetics and LGBTQ+ equality combine to celebrate the kaleidoscope of individuals that grace our world. Together Let’s unite under the rainbow flag and shine a light on the importance of acceptance, and self-expression as we ‘Pucker up For Pride’. Together, we can inspire a more compassionate and inclusive world where love always wins.

Let’s build the foundations for a world that supports diversity which also serves as a beacon of hope, inspiration, and acceptance for all.

Making Your Clinic Inclusive

Inclusivity – it’s something that all practitioners in aesthetics should be striving for in their clinics, and in day-to-day life. This principle should be the guiding value for every practitioner within aesthetics – particularly when it comes to serving the often marginalised and underserved LGBTQ+ community. When addressing the needs and concerns of those in the LGBTQ+ community, it’s essential to recognise that these individuals make up the majority of contributors within the aesthetics field, with many of them forming an integral part of our valued client roster.

However, this principle goes beyond mere rhetoric; it requires tangible actions from you as allies, clinic owners, practitioners and…humans!

It necessitates a genuine commitment to fostering an environment of acceptance and respect within your practices. Whether that’s through inclusive-style messaging and marketing or by openly showing your allyship in other. By adopting an inclusive style, you can send a powerful message to the LGBTQ+ community that they are seen, valued, and welcomed within your clinic. However, true allyship extends beyond words. It lies in the way you address and treat your patients, ensuring their comfort and well-being.

Creating an atmosphere of belonging starts with a warm and genuine welcome from you and your team, making individuals feel understood from the moment they step through your clinic doors. However, equally important are the smaller, yet significant gestures for those in the LGBTQ+ community. It’s about taking the time to listen and understand each person’s unique needs, concerns, and desires. It’s about using appropriate and affirming language, using the correct terminology when addressing your clients and recognising, and validating their identities for how they present themselves. Being inclusive means providing a safe space where patients can openly express themselves without fear of judgement.

By actively practising inclusivity and consistently displaying allyship, practitioners can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those within the LGBTQ+ community.

Treatment Considerations for the LGBTQ+ Community

Treating patients within the LGBTQ+ community demands a comprehensive approach that extends beyond conventional aesthetic expertise and the way your typically treat your patients. The rise of LGBTQ+ patients opting for non-surgical treatments urges practitioners to broaden their perspectives and considerations when striving to become inclusive.

As an increasing number of LGBTQ+ individuals turn to non-surgical treatments to fulfil their individual satisfaction and aesthetic goals, practitioners are encountering unique, yet eye-opening challenges. For example, when treating transgender patients seeking feminisation or masculinisation, many practitioners are finding it different than treating other patients requesting less intense treatment. In these circumstances, it is  important for practitioners to recognise that their aesthetic aims and preferences may not align with traditional binary standards of facial beauty – which is where key client consultation comes in.

A study conducted by the National Library of Medicine sheds light on this matter, emphasising the importance of understanding and respecting diverse aesthetic preferences within the transgender community. During consultations, all patients require careful attention, but those in the LGBTQ+ community may necessitate even more profound considerations in managing their expectations.

In an enlightening article published by the Dermatology Times, Dermatologist Lauren Meshkov emphasises the importance that even modest changes in self-perception can have on transgender and gender-transitioning patients, leading to significant improvements in their overall quality of life (QOL). This emphasises the transformative potential of aesthetic treatments in the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals, highlighting the responsibility of practitioners to approach these cases with sensitivity, empathy, and a commitment to delivering positive outcomes during their patients’ transformation journey.

As a practitioner with a duty of care, it is equally as important to be transparent and realistic with these expectations by emphasising the significance of achievable outcomes, highlighting the need for thorough and comprehensive consultations.

Through these in-depth discussions, practitioners can establish a strong foundation of understanding, ensuring that patients are well-informed, and their aspirations align harmoniously with what can be realistically accomplished.

By staying accommodating and up to date with the evolving needs and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community, practitioners can cultivate a relationship with their patients that goes beyond physical transformations. It is through this holistic approach that we can contribute to the well-being, self-confidence, and ultimately, the quality of life of those within the LGBTQ+ community.

Fox Group’s Take on Pride

Whilst the aesthetics industry has made significant strides in embracing inclusivity and creating an environment where everyone feels acknowledged, there is still significant progress to be made.

When it comes to aesthetic transformations, whilst physical appearance may be the first recognisable thing for the practitioner, more than often, for those in the LGBTQ+ community, it is much more. The psychological impact on individuals can be profoundly transformative and even life-altering for some – aside from the physical.

For many in the community, witnessing the reflection they have so long yearned for, perhaps once deemed unattainable, evokes a surge of emotions for the patients – something practitioners should also work to comfort as a means to show support. This pivotal moment often highlights a newfound self-confidence and self-love, allowing them to embrace and celebrate their authentic selves while momentously enhancing their well-being.

In summary, we at Fox are proud to be allies of the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month and beyond. We believe that while aesthetics celebrate everything that Pride stands for, as a collective, there is still much work to be done. Let’s continue demonstrating our unwavering support for those who still face oppression and challenge their assertions by promoting love, positivity, and solidarity.

As part of our commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community during Pride month and beyond, we will be donating a share of our ‘Pucker Up for Pride’ campaign proceeds from our Pride Exclusive Vanity Bag to an organisation that champions inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community; Manchester Pride Grants, Superbia.

Manchester Pride Grants offer financial support for grassroots LGBTQ+ projects, initiatives and events contributing to the queer cultural fabric of Greater Manchester. The Superbia Queer Arts Fund and the Manchester Pride Community Fund are open year round to award grants to initiatives that benefit LGBTQ+ people in Manchester.

There are four rounds of funding available for those in the community that can be applied for. Supporting the LGBTQ+ community, this grant gives vital funding to start-up projects, helping turn ideas into actions for those involved. By donating to this amazing charity, together, we can create positive change and make a lasting impact by uplifting and empowering individuals, funding vital resources, and contributing to a more inclusive future.
Please note: all proceeds from this campaign will go directly to fund the grants for the LGBTQ+ community, not towards the running of the charity where funds may be utilised beyond their measures.

Make the necessary changes to ensure inclusivity in your clinic and demonstrate your support for the community!