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Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery is one form of
plastic surgery. The other form is
reconstructive surgery, which differs greatly from cosmetic
surgery procedures.
Usually, cosmetic surgery is an elective surgery. In other
words, an individual undergoing a cosmetic surgical procedure
is doing so because they desire to change in some way the
normal structure or appearance of their face or body. A
decision to undergo a cosmetic surgical procedure is an
important decision, usually made to address a desire to
improve appearance and self esteem.
Unlike cosmetic surgery, reconstructive surgery is usually
performed to address abnormal facial or physical structures,
whether these abnormalities are the result of congenital
defects, tumors, disease, trauma, or developmental
abnormalities.
The number of cosmetic surgical procedures carried out
worldwide has been growing in number for many years. The
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has been
collecting statistics regarding the incidence of cosmetic
procedures since 1997, and reports that the number of cosmetic
procedures has
increased 457 percent over the past 10 years. The most popular
surgical cosmetic procedure over this time is liposuction,
whereas the most often performed non-surgical cosmetic
procedure are botox injections. Ninety one percent of cosmetic
procedures were performed on women.
Cosmetic Surgery
There are numerous procedures included under the heading of
cosmetic surgery. An important differentiation exists between
surgical cosmetic procedures and non-surgical procedures.
Virtually any part of the face or body can be altered
cosmetically, and some of the most popular procedures are
explained below.
Cosmetic Procedures
Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures
Botox
Botox® is the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure in
America. The goal with botox injections is to temporarily
eliminate or reduce wrinkles or lines, including crow's feet,
frown lines and forehead creases. In this cosmetic procedure,
botulinum toxin is injected into predetermined facial areas.
The injections temporarily paralyze the facial muscles that
cause wrinkles and lines. This cosmetic procedure is believed
to be most effective in reducing the lines and wrinkles
associated with the specific facial muscles that expand and
contract with facial expressions, such as squinting or
frowning. Botox injections are a temporary fix and are
typically repeated every 3-4 months.
There are currently studies underway to examine the possible
effectiveness of cosmetic Botox treatments to reduce excessive
sweating, facial muscle spasms, and migraines.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure that is used to
reduce wrinkle lines, crow's feet, acne scars and age spots.
In this cosmetic procedure, a small hand instrument that emits
crystals is used to 'polish' the skin. This procedure
stimulates the production of collagen and skin cells,
combating the long term effects or sun exposure and age. A
typical microdermabrasion session lasts for thirty minutes to
one hour, and is usually carried out 3 to 12 times at two to
three week intervals.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion and dermaplaning are similar methods of scraping
the facial skin's top layers with the goal of smoothing out
surface irregularities. Dermabrasion is often used to remove
keratoses or facial scars. Dermaplaning is typically employed
to smooth facial skin that has been scarred due to acne.
These procedures can be used on the entire facial surface or
smaller sections as required.
Surgical Cosmetic Procedures
Breast Augmentation
Called augmentation mammoplasty, this procedure augments the
size and shape of the breasts. It gives women the power to
enlarge breast size, to increase breast size after a natural
reduction post pregnancy, and to balance out breasts of
different sizes. Breast augmentation is also employed as a
reconstructive technique post breast surgery. The surgery
involves the insertion of a breast implant, a saline or
silicone gel filled silicone shell, placed behind the breast.
Breast Lift
The medical term for breast lift is mastopexy. This surgery
enables women to raise and reshape sagging breasts. Factors
including age, pregnancy, gravity, and nursing can all result
in the breast losing elasticity and firmness. The outcome of
breast lift surgery is not permanent. The reality is that
gravity always overcomes the results of this surgery over
time. Another outcome of breast lift surgery is to reduce the
size of the areola - the darker skin that surrounds the
nipple.
Face Lift
Called rhytidectomy, face lift surgery does not reverse the
aging process, but it helps 'set the clock back'. Face lift
surgery begins with the removal of fat from the face, the
tightening of underlying facial muscles, followed by redraping
of skin over the face and neck. This surgery can successfully
address the facial effects of stress, age, sun exposure, and
gravity. It removes the fat deposits
around the neck, jowls, and creases that age causes between
the mouth and nose.
Liposuction
Liposuction resculpts various body parts by removing excess
fat. It if most often performed on areas such as the hips,
buttocks, abdomen, thighs, upper arms, and chin. These areas
typically don't respond well to weight loss efforts. A variety
of liposuction techniques are available today, including
ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL), the tumescent technique,
and the super-wet technique. Plastic
surgeons determine the best technique to be used depending on
the area of the body to be treated, the best possible outcomes
and the least amount of recovery time possible.
Tummy Tuck
The medical term for tummy tuck is abdominoplasty. It is a
surgical procedure that removes excess fat and skin from the
abdomen and tightens the abdominal muscles. Tummy tucks can
significantly reduce the appearance and size of a protruding
abdomen, however, the procedure does leave a scar, the size of
which depends on the original extent of the problem.
The above outline lists only the most common and popular
cosmetic surgery procedures. Over the years, almost any and
every part of the body can be altered using various forms of
cosmetic surgery. Examples include, camouflage cosmetics,
browlifts, chemical peels, eyelid surgery, ear surgeries, hair
replacement, spider vein removal, and nose surgery.
The
American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery offers in depth
information about cosmetic surgery procedures.
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2003
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