January 2009 Blog Archive
Friday, January 30, 2009The Truth About Implants
As increased numbers of women line for breast augmentations, so too are the rumors that run rampant about the repercussions of breast implants. But here we are setting the record straight. Researchers focusing on Swedish and Danish women who sought out breast implants did not have higher instances or risks of developing breast cancer - as opposed to their non-implanted counterparts.
"The results, published in the International Journal of Cancer, add to evidence that silicone-gel breast implants pose no significant cancer risk to women. "We were able to present for the first time risk estimates for many cancer types with high statistical precision," said Loren Lipworth, of the International Epidemiology Institute in Rockville, Maryland"
In fact the research goes on to say that women who seek out breast implants are less likely to develop cancer's because they are aware of their beauty and health unlike many other Americans. These women tend to be more fit, have healthy relationships with the opposite sex and typically have children. Which is why the researchers say these women carry out very healthy and active lifestyles that limit the chances of developing breast cancer later in life.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Men Seeking "Moob Jobs"
While some plastic surgeons are witnessing a drop in patient numbers as a result of the global recession, early reports indicate that men opting for cosmetic enhancements are keeping other surgeons' businesses afloat. Many practices are seeking bailouts, chasing debts and losing personnel - beauty is still booming - however not with the usual visitors. Typically women have been deemed as more frequent cosmetic surgery patrons, nay junkies, but in recent months, their male counterparts have been lining up by the droves for a nip and a tuck. The Yorkshire Post reported, "While women last year made up 91 percent of cosmetic surgery's clientele, men are increasingly making their mark as demand for male breast reductions to correct so called "moobs" rockets. "The financial downturn began last year, but the public's interest in aesthetic surgery remained strong," says Nigel Mercer, consultant plastic surgeon and president of the BAAPS." Clearly some folks are unscathed by the recession and choosing to spend their discretionary income lavishly despite the economic climate. With surgery prices going down in the current market, people with a bit of extra coin may be able to look younger and more fit and even pay less. Some people are turning to non-invasive procedures for their aesthetic needs, but other men and women are jumping onto the cosmetic surgery bandwagon while the prices are low and the top surgeons' services are most widely available.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Less Invasive Procedures Gaining Popularity
With less money to spend and less time to undergo procedures, minimally invasive procedures are becoming common avenues for people seeking out cosmetic enhancements. 2009 may bring about the boom in more cost efficient and time saving procedures that require less recovery time. Procedures like SmartLipo and CoolLipo, alongside Liquid Face-Lifts may be the way of the future. As the economic climate changes - for the worse - cosmetic enhancement seeking patients may have less money and time to go under the knife and heavy doses of anesthesia. The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery has released a report confirming such ideas, "As unemployment rises in the United States, people are doing all they can to ensure their job security. Thus the cosmetic surgery industry has since seen a significant increase in the less invasive and less costly procedures. These types of procedures are extremely effective but require less downtime and allow the patient to return to work quicker." As cosmetic surgery becomes more of an integral part in society and the workplace, perhaps even employers will allow their employees to take longer lunches for procedures.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Plastic Surgery for a Good Cause
Since the advent and popularity of plastic surgery, people have always considered it to be the way of the rich, or simply regarded it as superficial cosmetic enhancements. However, there's another side and face to plastic surgery, and for the record, its a dark one. Many plastic surgeons find they see women coming into their clinics seeking ways to remedy their domestic abuse injuries. Most of which are targeted at their face. The Los Angeles Times recently highlighted and profiled plastic surgery for domestic abuse victims. "Now doctors have a new clue. Rather than trying to read injured patients' faces for signs of fear or shame, physicians can read their facial injuries. Women who had been assaulted by intimate partners generally sustained different patterns of facial injuries than women who were injured in car crashes, falls or assaults by strangers." The sad truth is that domestic abuse still runs rampant in our society, but with the help of plastic surgeons many of these women may be able to remedy some of their facial disfigurement.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
New Year, More Surgery
As 2009 is getting started, a few new trends are storming into the plastic surgery industry. About 5 years ago the notion of plastic surgery among teenagers was virtually nonexistent, except for the occasional nip and tuck among older teens. However the New Year is bring about plastic surgery hungry teens. Rather than asking for a video game, clothes or even a vacation with friends, teens are asking mom and dad for breast augmentations and nose jobs. What has brought about this recent influx in young beauty aficionados? In fact the statistics for teen surgeries is so high nowadays that the Los Angeles Times featured a story on it. "The American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimates that more than 330,000 adolescents -- most of them female -- underwent cosmetic procedures in 2007. The most popular surgical procedures were nose jobs, breast augmentation, ear reshaping and liposuction." The question remains is plastic surgery appropriate for adolescents? Beauty and superficial ideas are already flooding the airwaves and teenagers minds, why add the idea of cosmetic enhancements to the mainstream.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Holiday Boom
After the hustle bustle of the holidays, endless number of parties and over-indulgence and over-eating you're bound to have added a few nay 10-15 pounds. According to the UK Telegraph, record numbers of Britons are seeking out weight loss plastic surgery after holiday horror stories. The economic crunch must mean nothing to some.
"According to the company, liposuction inquiries have increased 21 per cent while gastric band calls rose from just two per cent to eight per cent of all inquiries."For some it's wrinkles for others its extra pounds. So if you are not keen on shedding the holiday weight through working out, it may be a good idea to inquire with a plastic surgeon about weight loss procedures.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Anti-Depressants and Plastic Surgery
A recent study done on antidepressants shows possible harmful effects for people undergoing plastic surgery whilst taking such drugs. The research team found possible ramifications like excessive and increased bleeding during and post-operation. The research suggest that patients seeking out cosmetic surgery should consult a physician and possibly stop taking their antidepressant pills weeks before surgery.
Although such findings are still at the preliminary stages, do look into the research further. The study will be appearing in the January edition of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
UltraShape
Yet another procedure storming into the plastic surgery field is UltraShape. As we said yesterday, new year, new surgeries. UltraShape is a procedure that is said to reduce fat using ultrasound. UltraShape may reduce thickness and fat in isolated spots of the body in three sessions.
Dr. Ari Benchetrit reported to ABC News about using UltraShape on patients, "It actually breaks down the fat cell and gets rid of the unwanted fat much like liposuction does, except it does it non-invasive, meaning there's no cutting, there's no anesthesia, there's no downtime, there's no recovery."Though the procedure is still in clinical trial stages, 2009 may bring an onslaught of new non-invasive, cost-efficient procedures into the forefront of plastic surgery. As wallets begin to take a beating from financial problems, pricier procedures may gradually weed out, leaving room for minimally surgical treatments like UltraShape.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Surgery to Keep your Job?
Some surgeons are urging patients, more specifically patients on the brink of losing their jobs, to invest in plastic surgery procedures. The physicians are trying to sell the idea of looking good to maintain staying on top of their game. But many are blasting such selling tactics, other plastic surgeons are telling potential patients to really evaluate their reasons for going under the knife, especially when economic woes are causing most people to cut costs in most areas. Surgeons are saying that some people believe getting plastic surgery and looking fit and good will solve all their problems. Such false confidence may serve in their detriment instead.
Another reason why people are still seeking out surgery in tough times is to look younger. Many baby boomers being laid off are losing their jobs to younger more vibrant college-grads, so the fiftysomethings are getting work done to compete with their twentysomething counterparts. So before you delve into surgery, take into consideration all economic ramifications, perhaps non-invasive techniques are better suited in times like this.
Monday, January 05, 2009
New Year, New Surgeries
2009 is already ringing in some new cosmetic surgery procedures to help your face and your bank accounts. The latter half of 2008 brought us economic hardships and probably an added few wrinkles. Surgeons at Beverly Hills Aesthetics have developed a time saving and cost-efficient, minimally invasive face lift procedure using...liquid, yes liquid. According to MSNBC news, "First, Botox is used to soften fine wrinkles around the eyes, lift the eyebrows and relax the forehead, then dermal fillers contour and sculpt the face, which completes the Liquid Face Lift. This combination effectively eliminates facial wrinkles and tightens up loose skin, especially around the jaw and cheek area." Don't let the stresses from 2008 take a toll on your health and beauty, non-invasive procedures are the way of the new year. Much like the Beverly Hills clinic, there are specialty clinics around the nation focusing on new non-invasive treatments.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Feeling the Burn
In the last few months, plastic surgeons had only reported on minimal numbers of patients opting out of pricey procedures. The majority said most patients were choosing non-invasive and less expensive ones. However, in lieu of the economic gloom hovering over the world, even plastic-surgeons are feeling the pinch and burn of cutting back costs and losing elective cosmetic surgery patients. Women and men, even those highly addicted to anti-aging and beautifying procedures, are putting surgery on hold till economic woes lighten up. But will people's change to frugality let beauty enhancements prevail again? Is plastic surgery becoming a luxury we can't afford anymore? Quite possibly. I don't think the industry will dwindle or die out as a whole, however it will evolve or simply major adjustments will be made. Whether this means a shift towards even more non-invasive procedures, cutting-costs or scaling down on private clinics and unnecessary expenses. Whatever the tactic to changing and adapting to the economic climate the industry as a whole may be changing for better or worse.
