Shawna Jones, PA-C, on Trust & Trends in Preventative Aesthetics

As aesthetic medicine continues to evolve, younger patients are increasingly seeking preventive treatments and taking a more proactive approach to skin health, according to Shawna Jones, PA-C, lead provider at SkinSpirit Newport Beach and national trainer with the Allergan Medical Institute.

Jones noted that many young patients are now investing in skin care, sunscreen, neuromodulators, and noninvasive procedures earlier than previous generations. Social media platforms and online resources have expanded public awareness of aesthetic treatments, introducing concepts such as “preventative Botox,” “facial balancing,” and “collagen banking” into mainstream conversations.

While increased access to information can help educate patients, Jones emphasized that it also creates challenges for providers. Patients often arrive with preconceived ideas based on social media content or artificial intelligence-generated recommendations, making it essential for clinicians to distinguish evidence-based guidance from misinformation.

“For many patients, maintaining their skin actually has become routine, kind of like getting your hair and nails done,” Jones said. “And social media has certainly accelerated that awareness, but it's also created information overload.”

To address this, Jones advocates shifting consultations away from trend-driven requests and toward comprehensive facial assessments that consider each patient’s anatomy, concerns, and long-term goals. She emphasized the importance of individualized, multimodal treatment plans rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.

A key theme of her practice is the value of patient education and communication. Jones explained that consultations often require significant time and attention, particularly for first-time aesthetic patients who may feel anxious or overwhelmed. She prioritizes setting realistic expectations regarding treatment outcomes, timelines, risks, downtime, and maintenance requirements.

To improve patient understanding and adherence, Jones has incorporated written treatment plans alongside standard post-procedure instructions. Providing patients with a clear roadmap allows them to review recommendations after the visit and better understand future treatment options. Jones also encourages providers to adopt a conservative treatment philosophy, particularly with new patients.

“It's important not to push patients into any treatment, and when we educate, we listen, we build that trust, patients often become much more comfortable exploring those options over time,” she said.

Jones shared the example of a patient who initially refused neuromodulator treatment despite being an appropriate candidate. By respecting the patient’s preferences and beginning with treatments she felt comfortable pursuing, Jones gradually built a relationship that ultimately led the patient to explore additional procedures later on.