In the rapidly evolving field of facial plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine, the allure of the latest trends and treatments can sometimes overshadow the foundational principles of patient safety and ethical practice. At Raggio MD Facial Plastic Surgery in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Blake Raggio is steadfast in his commitment to upholding these principles, ensuring that every procedure is grounded in evidence-based medicine and tailored to the individual needs of each patient. Read below to learn more about Dr. Raggio’s insight on this popular topic.

 

Elevating Ethics in Aesthetic Medicine

Aesthetic medicine lives at the intersection of healthcare and elective enhancement—voluntary, yes, but far from frivolous. In a world where injectables and lasers are glamorized on social media and marketed like beauty treatments, it’s easy to forget the truth: these are real medical procedures with real risks.

“We aren’t here to experiment or mess around,” says Dr. Blake Raggio. “These are people’s faces we’re talking about.”

At Raggio MD, every treatment—whether surgical or non-surgical—is approached with clinical rigor, anatomical respect, and evidence-based precision. With over 40 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Raggio reviews the latest literature, evaluates long-term outcomes, and assesses safety profiles before introducing any new procedure.

“We’re not here to be first-to-market,” he explains. “We’re here to deliver the safest, most sophisticated facial aesthetic treatments available.”

In a field increasingly driven by trends, aggressive marketing, and casualized care, Raggio MD holds firm to a higher standard—rooted in science, ethics, and trust.

“We took a Hippocratic oath,” Dr. Raggio reminds fellow providers. “Let’s not lose sight of that in the ‘wild west’ of aesthetic medicine.”

 

3 Trends in Aesthetic Medicine: Dr. Raggio’s Expert Perspective

1.    At-Home and Discount Injectables: Don’t bargain with your face.

“Be cautious of discounted ‘at-home’ or ‘non-invasive’ beauty treatments—they deserve the same scrutiny as any medical procedure,” warns Dr. Blake Raggio.

Today, injectables like Botox and fillers are often performed at a discounted price in non-clinical settings, without sterile technique, medical oversight, or emergency readiness. The result? A cheaper product, but a much higher risk of serious complications.

“Cosmetic treatments are medical treatments,” Dr. Raggio emphasizes. “Yet too many providers lack proper training or long-term accountability.”

As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Raggio regularly treats patients harmed by botched injections: infections, tissue death, scarring, blindness, and more—often caused by unqualified injectors working in high-volume, corner-cutting environments.

 

2.    The Thread Lift Trend: Why This Fad Fails Your Face

Few procedures illustrate the gap between hype and medical reality more clearly than the thread lift. Marketed as a quick, non-surgical “facelift,” thread lifts have cycled in and out of popularity, fueled by influencer posts and fleeting beauty trends.

But behind the glossy marketing lies a risky truth: thread lifts are not clinically effective, carry real complications, and often compromise future surgical outcomes.

“As a facial plastic surgeon, I’ve seen the damage threads can cause—scarring, asymmetry, puckering, and long-term tissue disruption,” says Dr. Blake Raggio. “Additionally, they can make future facelifts more difficult or less effective.”

While they promise instant lift with little downtime, results are often short-lived, unpredictable, and far from natural. Worse, threads can break, migrate, or become infected—leading to more cost, more procedures, and more regret.

 

3.    Viral Doesn’t Mean Valid: The Rise of Unproven Skincare Trends

From beef tallow and snail mucin to salmon sperm and exosomes, TikTok is flooded with skincare fads promising youthful, glowing skin—but most lack scientific backing, clinical testing, or long-term safety data.

“Just because something’s trending doesn’t mean it’s safe, effective, or appropriate for everyone,” says Dr. Blake Raggio, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. “In many cases, these treatments are more marketing than medicine.”

Dr. Raggio breaks a few down:

• Beef Tallow: Marketed as “ancestral skincare,” it’s comedogenic and may clog pores or trigger acne in many skin types.
• Snail Mucin: Hydrating? Yes. But marginal benefits compared to established medical-grade ingredients like hyaluronic acid.
• Salmon Sperm (PDRN): A regenerative buzzword with limited independent research—results remain anecdotal, not evidence-based.
• Exosomes: One of the most hyped trends today. While promising in theory, current formulations vary widely, with no FDA regulation and questionable safety in many cases.

Dr. Raggio’s Expert Takeaway: Trust Evidence, Not Algorithms. “The best results come from treatments that are proven, personalized, and physician-guided—not viral. Your skin deserves more than a trending experiment.”

 

Patient-First, Always: The Raggio MD Difference

At Raggio MD, patient well-being is the foundation of every clinical decision we make. Dr. Blake Raggio approaches each consultation with care and candor—taking time to understand your goals, setting realistic expectations, and often steering patients away from unnecessary or unproven treatments.

“The relationship between surgeon and patient is unique,” Dr. Raggio explains, “a partnership built on trust, transparency, and respect.”

In an industry where trends often outpace science, Raggio MD stands apart—grounded in ethical care, clinical integrity, and personalized attention. As Dr. Raggio puts it: “Trends come and go. But science, safety, and ethical care never go out of style.”

To book an appointment at Raggio MD, visit their website or text 659-272-0092. They can also be contacted via direct message on Instagram at @dr.blakeraggio.