Allergan Aesthetics, a company of AbbVie, announced the launch of the Skin Quality Index (SQI) - a unified terminology system designed to standardize how patients and medical professionals discuss skin quality. The company describes this approach as a new phase in the development of communication in aesthetic medicine, where the precision of formulations can directly impact consultations, expectation setting, and treatment planning.
- A study published in Dermatologic Surgery identified inconsistencies in how patients and professionals describe skin quality and highlighted the need for standardized terminology.
- The Skin Quality Index offers a research-based shared vocabulary aimed at improving communication and supporting more informed aesthetic consultations.
According to Allergan Aesthetics, the SQI is based on a large-scale global study dedicated to how patients and medical professionals perceive and describe skin quality. Its results revealed a significant gap in terminology: patients generally use relatively consistent language among themselves, but when speaking with professionals, the same skin characteristics are often described differently. The company believes this can create barriers during consultations, complicate discussions of individual concerns, and affect procedure planning.
The Skin Quality Index is designed to help eliminate these discrepancies by introducing a common language for more effective dialogue between patient and physician. The system presents 15 agreed-upon terms and definitions across four distinct dimensions of skin quality. The company believes that clearer and more consistent terminology can help professionals better understand patient goals, support more balanced treatment planning, and ultimately contribute to better aesthetic outcomes.
The role of the patient is also emphasized. With a clearer description system, the SQI aims to help individuals better understand the specifics of their own skin and engage more actively in discussions about care, procedures, and expected changes. Allergan Aesthetics sees this not only as a communication tool but also as a way to make consultations more focused and personalized.
"The Skin Quality Index is a breakthrough innovation that signifies a paradigm shift in how we approach patient consultations and treatment planning in aesthetic medicine. The data clearly demonstrated the need for a standardized vocabulary. With a shared language, the Skin Quality Index enables patients to articulate their concerns more clearly, allows physicians to better understand and address these requests, and ultimately fosters more personalized and successful treatment outcomes."
Dr. Shannon Humphrey, board-certified dermatologist and lead researcher of this study.
As noted by the company, the study published in Dermatologic Surgery had a three-phase structure aimed at determining how skin quality is described across different medical specialties and among various patient groups. The first phase included an analysis of over 900 publications on aesthetic medicine spanning more than two decades. The release emphasizes that this is the largest and most comprehensive review of skin quality-related terminology to date.
The second phase involved advisory groups of medical professionals in the USA who helped align definitions. The third phase consisted of qualitative focus groups with patients and quantitative surveys of over 200 aesthetic specialists and more than 1,000 patients. This part of the study aimed to show how terminology changes in real conversations and where the gap arises between professional language and how people describe their own skin condition.
Allergan Aesthetics emphasizes that the significance of the Skin Quality Index extends beyond just consultation practice. The company views this tool as a foundation for further research and a way to support innovation in aesthetic medicine through a clearer system of describing skin quality. According to the developers, a shared language can be beneficial both in clinical communication and scientific work, where the precision of terms is critically important.
"The advancement of aesthetic medicine science requires a deeper understanding of how patients and professionals talk about skin quality. The Skin Quality Index reflects our commitment to deepening this understanding by creating a common language that can support more meaningful research, foster innovation, and further advance the field of aesthetic medicine."
Dr. Stephanie Manson Brown, Vice President, Head of Clinical Development, Scientific Innovation, and Skincare Research and Development at Allergan Aesthetics.
To support the launch of the Skin Quality Index, Allergan Aesthetics also introduced educational resources for patients and professionals, including a dedicated microsite and an interactive test created in partnership with NewBeauty. These tools aim to help more broadly implement the new terminology system and make it more understandable both for the professional community and for audiences just beginning to explore skin quality and aesthetic procedures.
Thus, the company presents the launch of the SQI not as a one-off educational initiative but as a systematic attempt to rethink the very approach to discussing skin in aesthetic medicine. The focus is not on a specific product or procedure but on creating a shared conceptual field that can influence consultations, research, education, and the further development of the industry.
About Allergan Aesthetics
Allergan Aesthetics, a company of AbbVie, develops, manufactures, and markets a portfolio of aesthetic brands and products. The company's portfolio includes facial injectables, body contouring, plastic surgery, skincare, and other areas. The company states that it aims to consistently offer clients innovation, education, high service standards, and a commitment to quality standards with a personalized approach.