Society at large is at an interesting crossroads when it comes to physical appearance. At the same time movements like #BodyPositivity and #FatAcceptance are encouraging people to love whatever body they’re in, cosmetic surgery in the US has been on the rise for the past 5 years. The same trend can be observed worldwide. One of the driving factors in this increase may be just how often we now see ourselves in photos thanks to smartphones and social media. We’ve now got more opportunities than ever to examine our perceived physical flaws – from numerous angles – on a regular basis! For most people, however, cosmetic surgery is simply seen as a way to look like yourself, just a little better! Non-invasive and minimally-invasive treatments, like chemical peels and Botox, are also making options available to those who don’t want to go under the knife’ literally. We take a look at some of the most popular procedures, and what they involve.
Most popular cosmetic surgical procedures:
- Breast augmentation
- Liposuction
- Nose reshaping
- Eyelid surgery
- Tummy tuck
Breast augmentation (augmentation mammoplasty)The most famous and popular cosmetic procedure, breast augmentation involves placing implants under the chest muscles or breast tissue to increase their size. It’s frequently combined with a breast lift, and implants last for about 10 years before they need to be replaced or removed. LiposuctionLiposuction (also known as lipoplasty, body contouring or simply lipo’) involves the removal of excess fat from areas such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms, neck and back. It’s of the most benefit to patients already near their ideal weight who are struggling with stubborn fat deposits that diet and exercise aren’t shifting. Nose reshapingA nose job or rhinoplasty is the most common facial cosmetic surgery procedure. Aside from improving the shape of the nose, it can also improve breathing by correcting septal deviation. Eyelid surgeryEyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is used to treat droopy eyelids, or otherwise, aesthetically modify the eye region of the face. The surgeon will typically remove skin, muscle or fat which is causing the area to sag. Tummy tuckAfter having a baby or losing a significant amount of weight, the skin around the abdomen can appear loose or start to sag. A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a permanent procedure that aims to correct this. The surgeon typically removes excess fat and skin and restores weakened or separated muscles.Most popular minimally-invasive procedures:During the course of 2018, 15.9 million minimally-invasive procedures were performed in the USA. These are the most popular:
- Botox
- Fillers
- Chemical peels
- Laser hair removal
- Microdermabrasion
BotoxAs you may know, Botox injections contain minuscule amounts of the neurotoxin botulinum toxin, which paralyzes some of the facial muscles responsible for fine lines and wrinkles. While it’s one of the most poisonous substances known to man – (it’s estimated that just 2 kilograms could wipe out the entire global human population!) but it’s also amazingly useful, currently being used to treat more than 20 different medical conditions including migraines, excess sweating, eye squints and even leaky bladders.FillersDermal fillers are injectables that are typically used to soften facial creases, plump up thin lips, enhance facial contours and cheekbones, remove wrinkles such as frown lines, crow’s feet and worry lines between the eyebrows, and can also lessen the appearance of scars. Chemical peelsWe all know that exfoliating (thereby removing the dead cells from the upper layer of the skin) can make your skin appear more youthful, but sometimes it needs a little extra encouragement! This is what chemical peels do. By reacting with proteins in the skin, essentially causing controlled damage, they allow the younger, fresher cells beneath the surface to be revealed. They’re often used to treat stubborn acne, reduce or remove pigmentation, freckling, and wrinkles, and improve overall skin tone and texture.Laser hair removalAs the name suggests, laser hair removal involves a concentrated beam of light, which is absorbed by the dark pigment melanin in the hair. This causes the root of the follicle of the hair to heat up, which damages it and therefore retards future growth. Unfortunately, people react very differently to the treatment, although those with light skin and dark hair will generally see the best results. The results usually last for several months, occasionally even years, after which occasional maintenance treatments may be necessary. MicrodermabrasionSometimes called the one hour facelift’, microdermabrasion uses a stream of fine crystals to gently buff and polish off the outermost layer of skin cells. Home kits and microdermabrasion cloths are also available commercially.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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