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PrintCosmetic procedures for looking your best
More options than ever are available for people to achieve the look they desire.
Every year, millions of Americans opt for plastic or cosmetic surgery, but now medical professionals and organizations say that more are deciding to go the less-invasive route when it comes to cosmetic procedures.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 12 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed in 2008, which was 3 percent higher than 2007 numbers. Those that have seen the largest increase are minimally invasive procedures, such as chemical peels, Botox injections, fillers, laser hair removal and microdermabrasion.
As with anything, cosmetic procedures follow trends. Less-invasive procedures have gained immense popularity over the past few years, according to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPR).
Those seeking to slow the aging process are turning to some of the more popular procedures, such as Botox injections and skin treatments.
“Both men and women spent money on non-invasive procedures to look and feel refreshed, personally and/or professionally,” the AAFPR reports, adding that three out of four doctors said that those they treated wanted facial plastic surgery to stay competitive in their career.
The mommy makeover
According to WebMD.com, doctors have also noticed a new trend in today’s market — the mommy makeover. Breast augmentations or lifts, tummy tucks, buttock lifts and liposuction are common procedures in the makeover, aimed at restoring a woman’s body to its pre-pregnancy appearance.
Highly regulated procedures
The Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery reports that in 2008 several procedures were on the rise. Pectoral implants to increase the size of a man’s chest, dermabrasion, cheek implants, buttock lifts and lower body lifts were procedures that Americans sought highly.
The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry states that direct bonding, applying tooth-colored material to the surface of a tooth, is an extremely popular practice. In 2006 alone, more than 3.9 million of these procedures were performed.
Veneers, crown and bridgework, and bleaching and whitening are also common and popular cosmetic dental practices.
The Consumer Guide to Dentistry also states that many are opting to replace older fillings with new tooth-colored fillings to create a more uniform smile.
New technologies and products have led the cosmetic surgery and dentistry industries to provide new services to eager customers.
Among the new tools is the AccuSculpt/AccuLift Laser Lipolysis System, which uses special wavelengths emitted by the laser to improve accuracy, precision and control during liposuction, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
The organization also notes that consumers want alternatives to neurotoxin injections, such as Botox, to alleviate wrinkles. Many are in the development stages, such as the GFX Nerve Abiation System, which creates radiofrequency (RF) heat lesions in nerve tissue to reduce the appearance of lines, according to the ASPS.
Dentistry continues to advance through new technologies and interactive consultations with doctors, according to the American Dental Association. Tools such as intraoral cameras and computer simulations allow the dentist and patient to discuss procedures and intended results with amazing detail in both traditional and cosmetic dentistry.
Do the research
While trends and technologies will continue to gain momentum, medical organizations urge patients to research products, procedures and doctors.
Board certification is important to many, and only doctors who have met a board’s strict standards can claim board certification. The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry have several eligibility requirements.
The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry urges patients to ask questions, reference before and after photos, ask other patients about their surgeries and ask whether the doctor takes continuing education classes.
