More Women are Having Subtle Cosmetic Surgery

New figures from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) show that more women are avoiding plastic surgery in favor of cosmetic surgery that is more subtle in appearance and results. Recent data shows the number of female facelifts performed by plastic surgeons has fallen by 44\\\% in the last year. In addition, the number of brow lifts is down by almost one third. Experts say the overall decline in invasive plastic surgery procedures is connected to the rise of less invasive treatment options. However, some procedures remain on the rise among patients. 

• The number of women undergoing breast enlargement surgery rose by 7\\\% with a total of 8328 surgeries in 2017
• On the other hand, breast reduction surgery also increased 5\\\% with a total of 3747 procedures

While there was an 8\\\% drop in the number of cosmetic surgeries performed in 2017, the numbers did show that nine out of ten operations were on female patients. When it came to male patients, there was a 25\\\% increase in eyelid surgery and a 16\\\% increase in facelifts. There was a 20\\\% drop in male liposuction and a 12\\\% decrease in male tummy tucks.

BAAPS President, and consultant plastic surgeon, Simon Withey said some patients reject the idea of invasive surgery due to the potential serious impact of the procedures. The worry about side effects and risks has led others to decide on options such as fillers and Botox. Withey hopes the downward turn in surgical procedures means patients are coming to the realization that cosmetic surgery is a serious commitment and not just a “quick fix” for a cosmetic issue.

Most Common Subtle Surgeries for Female Patients

With each passing day, science and technology keeps scaling new heights in the journey of developing more efficient ways of performing plastic surgery. One of those breakthroughs is minimally invasive procedures.

A list of the most common non-invasive procedures is shown below:

• Botox – According to recent studies, Botox injections amounted to more than $5 billion in revenue for the first time ever. Injections of Botox are used to soften moderate to severe facial wrinkles and can be a regular anti-aging treatment. Botox relaxes the facial muscles that are used most often so those deep lines never develop in the first place which makes Botox a great preventative treatment.
• Dermal Fillers – Hyaluronic acid is one of the commonly used dermal fillers. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in human connective tissues and around the eyes. When used as a cosmetic injectable (dermal filler), hyaluronic acid acts as a cushion that inflates the tissues while simultaneously drawing water to the surface of the skin. It can be used in the cheek area to replace lost fat that leaves patients looking tired and gaunt. It can also be used to fill-in lines, wrinkles and folds.
• Laser Hair Removal – Laser hair removal uses a pulsating light that passes through the skin to target individual hair follicles. The laser damages the hair follicles to the point that it limits or eliminates future hair growth.
• Chemical Peels – Chemical peels can improve the appearance of the skin. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin which makes it “blister” and eventually peel off. The new skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin.

Hidden Dangers of Subtle Cosmetic Surgery

When most people think of plastic surgery, they only think of perfectly smooth and flawless results. The risks involved are often overlooked or brushed off by the public. Even with all of the progress that has been made regarding the technology surrounding plastic surgery, there are still some risks involved. Some of the most common risks include:

• Surgical Risks – Implant rejection, blood clots, scarring, skin necrosis, nerve damage and pigmentation are all risks associated with cosmetic surgery. Smokers may also face the risk of an extended healing time while those with any vascular conditions will need a longer healing time.
• Financial Cost – Most procedures cost tens of thousands of dollars and the cost only increases with the experience of the doctor and the intricacy of the procedure. The patient will need to take time off from work in order to make a full recovery. Small procedures may take a few days to heal while other more detailed procedures may take weeks for the body to fully recover.
• Emotional Damage – Those who undergo plastic surgery run the risk of missing the feeling of fulfilment after they have undergone their procedure. Patients that do not feel satisfied with the results often go back to have additional work done. When the procedure doesn't yield the expected results, the patient may feel resentment or anger toward the doctor.
• Risk of the Procedure Going Wrong – With any type of cosmetic surgery procedure, there is always a risk that it won’t turn out exactly as planned. There are times when individuals end up with psychological repercussions after a procedure did not end up creating the look that they visualized. The physical features can end up severely distorted which causes the patient to seek treatment and medications to deal with it. There are many cases of plastic surgery gone wrong and a simple Internet search will yield all of the proof needed.
• Physical Pains – The most common complaints of physical pain from those that have undergone plastic surgery include nausea, vomiting, headaches and prolonged pain. These conditions can dissipate as time passes but, in some cases, the physical pain can linger for an extended amount of time. There will also be pronounced inflammation around the area where the procedure was performed.

Schedule a Cosmetic Surgery Consultation Appointment

Before undergoing any type of cosmetic surgery, patients should schedule a consultation appointment with a board-certified doctor. The doctor will examine the patient to determine if the person is an ideal patient for cosmetic surgery. In addition, the doctor will set realistic expectations so the patient will not be surprised by the final results.