Definition of Beauty and How It Affects Plastic Surgery Trends

With the growing acceptance of plastic surgery in the US, it not surprising that about 13.8 million procedures (both invasive and non-invasive) were performed in 2011 alone.  Meanwhile, this trend is expected to continue in the coming years as researchers and plastic surgeons are introducing safer and more effective techniques.

The quintessential aim of plastic surgery is beauty, or at least some aesthetic improvements (but not perfection).  However, “beauty” is probably the most contested word since many believe that it is in the “eye of the beholder.”

But still, experts and plastic surgeons believe that there is such a thing as “universal beauty.”  This is proven by some studies in which respondents were asked to rate the physical appearance of women from a different ethnicity and the result showed that those rated high in “attractiveness” were also considered beautiful by the people from the same ethnic group.

Meanwhile, the list below shows the 2011 most commonly performed cosmetic surgeries (from data released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons) and the probable reasons behind their popularity.

1.     Breast augmentation

About 307,000 breast augmentations were performed last year, making it the most popular cosmetic plastic surgery.  This has been the trend over the past couple of years not just in the US but also in many countries.

The breasts have always been associated with not just sexual attractiveness but also fertility.  However, breast augmentation is not always performed to increase the bust size; for some patients the procedure is also used to create fullness in the upper poles, resulting to a more youthful appearance.

Recently, plastic surgeons have noticed that a growing number of patients are choosing smaller breast implants just to achieve fullness and more prominent cleavage. 

2    Rhinoplasty or nose reshaping

 More than 244,000 patients had rhinoplasty last year, making it the second most popular cosmetic surgery.

A good result should complement the face of a person; for this reason, plastic surgeons have developed ethnic rhinoplasty to preserve and even glorify the “quintessential” features of a patient. 

Examples of ethnic rhinoplasty techniques include allowing a slight nostril flare when dealing with African nose; and recognizing that the Asian nose does not tolerate too much projection in the nasal bridge and tip.

According to a recent study, rhinoplasty can result to a younger appearance aside from a more balanced “facial feature,” which has always been known as the universal definition of beauty.

In a separate study, researchers have concluded that balanced facial features usually connote good genes and excellent health—two things which are important in reproduction.

3     Liposuction

About 205,000 liposuction procedures were performed last year.  This surgery involves removing the “unwanted” fats to achieve a better figure.

For women, a flatter stomach and wider hips connotes fertility and sexual attractiveness.  With this fact, liposuction often involves removing the excess fats in the abdomen, flanks, and back to achieve the much-coveted hourglass figure.

The abdomen is also a common target in male liposuction, although some patients seek the procedure to achieve a “six-pack.”  With a technique called abdominal etching, plastic surgeons strategically remove some of the unwanted fats to create grooves, thereby resulting to a muscular appearance. 

4  Eyelid surgery

About 196,000 eyelid surgeries were performed last year.  Many experts believe that the growing popularity of the procedure is attributed to the aging baby boomers and growing acceptance of plastic surgery.

The eye is usually the first area to manifest the signs of aging.  Fortunately, the problem (sagging skin and fat bulges around the eyes) can be addressed by eyelid surgery, which can result to rejuvenated and youthful eyes.  

5  Facelift surgery

Approximately 119,000 facelifts were performed last year, making it to list of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgeries in 2011.  Meanwhile, its popularity is expected to continue in the coming years due to a new employment trend in which more workers postpone their retirement.

Nowadays, older workers are facing tougher competition with younger employees, and for this reason many are seeking facelift surgery so they can appear youthful and reliable to their officemates.

Nose Surgery for Male Patients—What Are the Factors to Consider?

Over the past couple of years, rhinoplasty or nose surgery has been the most popular cosmetic plastic surgery among male patients.  But to enjoy its full benefits, certain factors must be considered including age, goals and expectation, underlying cartilage and bone, and skin thickness.

To make sure the result of rhinoplasty can last longer, most plastic surgeons require their patients to be at least 15 years old, the period when the face is fully developed.  However, this age requirement is only applicable for men seeking aesthetic improvements and are not suffering from breathing problems.  

If performed for cosmetic reasons, patients should be in good health, both psychologically and physically. 

While it is tempting to think that rhinoplasty can help you achieve the same look of your celebrity idol, always bear in mind that the result largely depends on the nasal structure including the skin, and amount of cartilage and bone.

Because the definition of beauty between men and women is different, plastic surgeons use a slightly different approach.  In male rhinoplasty, the goal is to retain and/or emphasize the masculine looks which are characterized by a strong, straight nasal bridge.

To achieve the best and most natural results, plastic surgeons consider the fact that aesthetically speaking, the best angle between the nose and upper lip for men is about 90 degrees—which is quite different from a beautiful woman’s.  Also, the space between the nasal tip and upper lip is a consideration to make. 

Another thing to consider is that men tend to have more injuries from sports, leading to a crooked or deviated nose.  In severe cases, the condition results to breathing difficulties, frequent nosebleed, and other medical problems which must be immediately addressed.

Compared to previous years, modern male rhinoplasty involves a more conservative approach.  This means that plastic surgeons do not remove too much cartilage to ensure that the new contour will have a strong support and the result can be long lasting.  In addition, the changes are carefully done in order to achieve facial harmony.

In case that you have a weak chin (it disappears from the neck), you can achieve a better result if your rhinoplasty is complemented with chin implant surgery; this additional procedure may prevent the nose from appearing too pointy compared to the rest of the face.

Aside from chin implants, some rhinoplasty patients may benefit from facelift particularly if their goal is to achieve a more youthful appearance. 

Best Celebrity Plastic Surgery Results

* Bristol Palin

Just like her controversial mother, Bristol Palin has also managed to be on the limelight and be the tabloids’ darling.  Last year, she has been spotted in New York looking different—at least in a good way—with her more defined chin and slimmer facial contour, which were believed to be from plastic surgery, particularly liposuction and chin implant.

But despite the incessant celebrity plastic surgery rumors, Palin said the improvements were simply caused by her corrective jaw surgery—a claim in which not all people were convinced. 

* Kris Jenner

Last year, Kris Jenner, mother of reality TV star Kim Kardashian, had a facelift that made her looked younger and more rejuvenated.  Many celebrity plastic surgery experts believe her cosmetic surgeon chose a more conservative approach that resulted to a natural outcome rather than a windswept look which often happens with too much correction.

* Nicole Richie

A few years ago, the reality TV star was literally skin and bones and flat chested.  But after getting pregnant, she gained some weight, which of course resulted to a much better figure.  To further complement her new body, she had breast augmentation surgery in September 2011, turning her A cup size from C.

* Kate Gosselin

After her bitter separation with husband in 2009, Kate seems to be looking more and more beautiful not just because of her now stress-free life but also with the help of facelift surgery and Botox.

In 2007, the single mom of eight had tummy tuck to achieve a slimmer waistline, and breast augmentation in 2009.  In addition, she admitted going to tanning salon regularly and getting Botox on her forehead.

* Leann Rimes

In 2010, the pop singer has been rumored to have had breast augmentation, making her small A cup size into a full C.  According to previous news reports, she has always been insecure with her flat chest, but with her new bust size, it seems that she is more confident these days as she has no qualms posing scantily clad for magazines. 

* Scarlett Johansson

The young, sexy actress has been rumored to have had breast augmentation and nose job, which she have always denied; in fact she sued US Weekly about an article alleging that she had plastic surgeries.

But despite denying plastic surgeries, many celebrity bloggers and writers are not convinced with her claims because of a quite significant change in her appearance over the past couple of years.

Why Plastic Surgery Focuses on Beauty and Youth

In modern society, beauty and youth are the most sought-after physical attributes, which have resulted in an upswing in cosmetic plastic surgery.  In fact, this sector is continuously growing in the US over the past couple of years even if medical spending has slowed down.

Our brains are hardwired to prefer symmetric face and body, which is a universal definition of beauty, because it often connotes health and virility, which are important for any species to spread its genes.

Since the latter half of the 20^th Century, the US society has been more focused on physical improvements to the extent that beauty and youth have somewhat turned into a new indicator of social worth.  This trend is different from many Eastern societies where age is concurrent with higher social status, respect, and prestige.

However, the quest for beauty is an age-old story that even literature has depicted women from ancient civilizations using vegetables dyes to color their faces, hair adornments, and clothing to enhance their appearance.  For this reason, it would be safe to surmise that our desire for physical improvements is purely a human nature and deeply ingrained into who and what we are.

Going back to plastic surgery, the trend nowadays is facial rejuvenations such as facelift, Botox injection, and dermal fillers—procedures that aim to make the face look youthful. 

According to a 1994 study, older women are mostly concerned with their face, which is why facelift and Botox injection are popular among them; while younger ones are more preoccupied with their body, which is why liposuction, breast augmentation, and other body contouring procedures are popular among this age group.

Nowadays, modern society—or at least in the US—physical signs of aging are somewhat seen as something which must be minimized or even eradicated; rather than being treated as completely natural and inevitable.

Employment is arguably the primary reason for the growing popularity of cosmetic plastic surgery.  In fact, it is not uncommon for aging American workers to seek facelift, dermal fillers, and Botox injection believing that looking youthful would make them appear competitive against younger workers.

Some economists and even plastic surgeons believe that the condition of job market to some degree affects the plastic surgery trends.  Because of insecurity and fear of appearing old and “incompetent,” Botox injection, chemical peels to remove wrinkles and age spots, and dermal filler treatments had skyrocketed during the recent economic slowdown.

Kim Kardashian Sues Plastic Surgeon

Kim Kardashian is planning to sue a plastic surgeon in Mexico for using her image without her consent on a billboard promoting his work.   

According to a news report, Dr. Victor Ramirez has used the reality tv star’s photos on a billboard posted in Mexicali, which is near the California border.  The advertisement involves a message saying “No arriesgue su belleza, ni su salud,” which translates as “Do not risk your beauty or your health.”

Meanwhile, the plastic surgeon has admitted that he did not ask for the star’s permission to use her photo; in fact, when gossip website TMZ called the doctor, he even said that he did not “speak to Kardashian and did not even know her number.”

Because the TV personality has long been associated with plastic surgery—despite her claims that she did not undergo any surgical procedure to improve her appearance—it is not surprising that some people will use her as an “example” of great cosmetic result.

While the star has previously admitted Botox injection, she adamantly claims that she did not undergo any plastic surgeries, particularly buttock augmentation, breastn enlargemet, and nose job.  In fact, she was quoted saying that “some women often go too far in their quest to retain their youthful appearance,” adding that she would think twice before going under the knife.

Kardashian has long the favorite of bloggers not just because of the controversies surrounding her but also due to her somewhat changing appearance.  For instance, her derriere is larger these days compared to previous years, resulting to rumors that she had butt implant surgery.

But in an attempt to disprove the plastic surgery rumors, Kardashian had X-rays done on an episode Keeping Up With The Kardashians to show that her curve is as natural as it gets.  However, some plastic surgeons said that it is possible to augment the backside by simply collecting fat from one area and then transferring it to the buttocks.

The reality TV star has also been rumored to have had breast augmentation, which she is also denying.  In fact, in an interview with ABC’s Cynthia McFadden, she admitted that if she takes her bra off, it is not surprising that someone would tell her that she need to get them done.

Kardashian attributed her great look to regular exercise and good make-up, although in a previous interview the star said that she is not dismissing the idea of having plastic surgery in the future. 

Teens, Parents Must Consider Factors Affecting Rhinoplasty Result

About 244,000 rhinoplasty or nose surgeries were performed in 2011, making this the second most popular plasticsurgery in the US.  Meanwhile, the procedure is particularly appealing to teenagers who want to improve their appearance or those who are not happy with their nose.

If performed for cosmetic reasons, it is best to wait until the face has completely developed before conducting rhinoplasty.  This means girls should be at least 15 years at the time of surgery, and for boys, the minimum age requirement is 17 years old since their nose takes longer time to mature.

By waiting until the nose has fully developed, patients will more likely enjoy permanent or at least longer results.  However, reconstructive rhinoplasty, which is used to treat nasal injuries or improve breathing function, does not involve age limits.

Aside from physical maturity, teenage patients and their parents should consider the aspect of emotional and psychological maturity.  As with any cosmetic surgery, rhinoplasty is not advisable to individuals with unrealistic goals and expectations and those who see this as a way to please other people.

Another thing to consider is the result largely depends on facial features and nasal structure.  This simply means that it is extremely hard, or even impossible, to recreate the nose of celebrities; any plastic surgeon who is claiming that he can perform such procedure is creating unrealistic expectations.

As mentioned earlier, emotional and psychological maturity is very important as it allows patients to understand the limits of rhinoplasty and its potential complications.  With this consideration, plastic surgeons and parents should carefully guide teenagers when making decisions.

Ideally, parents should also accompany their teenage daughter or son during consultation with a plastic surgeon.

While the result of rhinoplasty is supposed to last a lifetime, the revision rate is about 7 percent due to unexpected changes in the nose, certain complications, and other factors.  Fortunately, newer techniques have led to a more structurally sound nose after surgery; this usually means a conservative approach.

Previous nose surgery techniques involved too much removal of cartilage (flexible tissue inside the nose), resulting to a higher risk of drooping tip because of the “weakened structure.”  By contrast, modern methods only manipulate or reshape the cartilage and bone; and if there is a need to remove some tissue, doctors use a conservative approach.

Another improvement is that many rhinoplasty implants today are made of a porous material that allows tissue to grow inside them, thereby lowering the risk of rejection and unnatural result.