The post-vaccine transition from Zoom to the office scrapped the WFH comforts that many had grown accustomed to during years of pandemic living: sweatpants, the bed-to-desk commute and that wonderful videoconferencing filter that smooths out wrinkles. As people ventured back to coworking spaces, they headed back to cosmetic dermatology offices as well, contributing to a 41% increase in Botox, filler and similar treatments from 2020 to 2021 according to the Aesthetic Society, a professional organization of plastic surgeons.

The mixed desire to impress one’s peers combined with the pandemic’s self-care, treat-yourself mentality has caused a boom across skin care products and treatments of various kinds. Zocdoc reported cosmetic dermatology appointments rose 152% last year compared to 2020 and market research firm NPD Group reported that product sales for facial cleansers, creams and serums grew between 15% and 24% in 2021 for those unable to swallow the cost of a $250 to $500 Botox session.

Amy Shecter, chief executive of medical spa Ever/Body, calls it “the Zoom Effect.” In a virtual roundtable with beauty experts last year, she predicted that the pandemic would permanently change the workforce as the balance between virtual and in-person business gets blurrier than a video filter.