As some of you may know, studying is one of my passions, and as I recently hit the “send” button on my final essay for my first subject in my Master of Ancient History, I couldn’t help but be inspired by the tenacity of the human spirit and how we continually strive to comprehend and change the world around us. 

Just like the Ancient Greeks who philosophised about reason, logic and ethics some 2,000+ years ago, we are finding ourselves asking very similar questions in 2021 as we stand on the precipice of a digital transformation powered by artificial intelligence. Can a machine think and react like a human brain? Can it act like a human mind? On page 32 we look at the fascinating and burgeoning science of artificial intelligence and how big data and machine learning relate to the field of aesthetic medicine. 

Enhancing the evidence base and quality of care has long been a tenet of aesthetic medicine. In an illuminating review paper on 42, Prof Greg Goodman and Drs Steven Liew, Peter Callan and Sarah Hart provide their consensus recommendations for minimising adverse outcomes when treating patients with botulinum toxin or hyaluronic acid fillers.

Advancing patient outcomes is also alive and well in the myriad of devices and products in the Australian aesthetics market. From page 67, you can read about the latest advancements and innovations in energy-based devices, injectables, skincare and other aesthetic modalities. 

Turn to page 148 to read our summary of the Olympic Games which are slated to take place in Tokyo in July. It’s a topic of debate especially since many nations are still in epidemic chaos and, at the time of writing, our colleagues in Melbourne are anxiously awaiting the end of another lockdown. While there have been some positive takeaways from living in these strange times, such as spending more time on life balance (and less time in traffic), the pandemic has inevitably led to diverse mental health problems. On page 140 we look at the long-term effects of the collective trauma of COVID-19 and what the experts say are the best ways of coping with heightened stress and anxiety. More than a year on, we’re still in this together and there is no definable end in sight.

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Michelle Kearney
Editor in Chief

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