The Expanding Role of the Canadian Nurse Practitioner in Medical Aesthetics.

Advanced practice in nursing is well established and has been active since the 1800s. In most cases, the role was developed because of a specific need or gap in patient care. Advanced practice nurses (APNs) have been experts in medical aesthetic injections for more than 30 years. The APNs' independence became increasingly common as a mechanism of continuity of care for the non-surgical-medical aesthetic patients. The APN role has evolved, and nurse practitioners (NPs) are now collaborating with nurses safely and effectively in nurse-led clinics in medical aesthetics. There are specific education and college regulations that are required to ensure patient safety in this collaborative care model. The role of the NP in a nurse-led medical aesthetic clinic is an accepted and recognized independent practice role that creates an innovative and well-regulated approach to patient care.

Lip Enhancement: Physical Assessment, Injection Techniques, and Potential Adverse Events.

Lip enhancement is a common injection treatment that may involve several different injection techniques based on the patient's goals, expectations, and facial anatomy. It is the aesthetic provider's professional judgment to determine which technique will provide the desired results. Taking the time to provide a thorough assessment, review the potential complications, and discuss expectations is an important step in building a patient-nurse therapeutic relationship. Understanding the anatomy and the supporting structures around the perioral area will improve the overall results of a lip enhancement treatment.

Attention to Infection Prevention in Medical Aesthetic Clinics.

The risk of infection is a concern for all medical aesthetic industry and all providers. Steps to reduce the risk and improve patient outcomes begin with vigilance to proper aseptic technique and being less concerned about the "beauty image" to attract new patients. This article is based on the guidelines outlined in Infection Prevention and Control for Clinical Office Practice by Public Health Ontario.

How to Write a Journal Article for PSN.

Are you considering writing a journal article for Plastic Surgical Nursing? This official journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgical Nurses presents the latest advances in plastic and reconstructive surgical nursing practice. The journal features clinical articles covering a wide variety of surgical and nonsurgical procedures. Patient education techniques and research findings are also included, as well as articles discussing the ethical issues and trends in this expanding clinical nursing specialty. This is a perfect forum to share your knowledge with others in the plastic surgery field, resulting in improved patient care. The editorial board is established and available to assist you in the writing process. It is important to know that you do not have to be an academic scholar to write an article; instead, you have information that you would like to share. This article is intended to provide key points to follow to make sure that writing your article is a positive experience.

Using the Nursing Process to Identify and Treat Angioedema: A Case Study.

The nursing process is the essential core of practice for registered nurses, independent of what field of nursing you have chosen. You learn it in nursing school and use it until you are no longer practicing. It is designed to train nurses how to develop a nursing care plan through critical thinking. Over the years it becomes a routine way of problem solving, but it is sometimes good to go back to the basics to remember the ground work. The focus of this article is to review the steps of the nursing process when faced with a complication, using our critical thinking skills.

Anatomy of the Periorbital Area.

Dermal filler and neurotoxin treatments around the periorbital area are assessed when addressing the early signs of aging. Having a comprehensive understanding of the anatomy related to the structures of the eye may reduce the risk of complications, which include severe bruising, persistent swelling, blindness, and cerebral infarction. Understanding the function of the muscles and ligaments, location of the nerves, and the pathway of the blood vessels are crucial when addressing concerns in this area.

Understanding the Anatomy of the Upper Face When Providing Aesthetic Injection Treatments.

Advanced rejuvenation procedures for the upper face are becoming increasingly popular for aesthetic providers but are considered a high-risk treatment area for dermal filler/contouring products. Risks may range from bruising, which is manageable, to blindness, most often irreversible. Detailed comprehension of the facial anatomy is imperative when performing aesthetic injections including neuromodulators and dermal filler/contouring products. Understanding the location and function of the muscles, as well as landmarking the blood vessels and nerves, will assist the aesthetic provider to perform safe, confident injection procedures. This article focuses on the upper face anatomy as identified by the author's cadaveric dissections and includes the treatment areas of the frontalis, temporalis, and glabellar complex. The author's next article for the Plastic Surgical Nursing journal will focus on the periorbital area.