Over the past few decades, cosmetic medical procedures have exploded in popularity. Data shows that approximately 17 million cosmetic procedures were performed in 2016. These numbers have continued to climb dramatically as cosmetic surgery has become socially acceptable and widely talked about. While the rise of these treatments is well documented, it is becoming harder and harder to tell who has received them.
This is due to the fact that plastic surgery and cosmetic medicine have greatly improved in recent years. While many chalk this up to new surgical techniques, the fact is that new technologies are just as much the reason. We now have tools that make procedures easier to complete, making them more appealing to prospective clients.
A new perspective
Today, cosmetic practitioners are aware that what is most aesthetically pleasing is proper balance and proportion of the facial features. As such, the approach is now ‘less is more,’ rather than making huge changes that make a person look “different.” Surgeons, and their patients, are now more focused on creating a surgical result that looks natural and refined.
In years past, facial rejuvenation procedures would mainly focus on removing tissue from the face. A good example is a facelift, which involves removing the facial skin and repositioning the structural tissues into a more youthful position. While this was the status quo for a long time, it eventually became known that this method alone does not always achieve natural-looking results. This is due to the fact that volume loss in the face is usually one of the primary contributing factors to an aged appearance.
It has now become an industry standard to incorporate various techniques to achieve comprehensive, substantial and natural-looking results. Moreover, making small, calculated changes to the face is much better than taking a heavy-handed approach. The advent of fat transfers and dermal fillers has also been a game changer, as surgeons can now incorporate them to address isolated areas of volume loss in an effective way along with lifting and repositioning sagging tissue.
Cosmetic procedures now come with less downtime and scarring
Of all the changes in cosmetic surgery, the most notable one is the improved level of safety that it now comes with. Moreover, unlike the procedures of a few decades ago that required a recovery period in the hospital, today’s cosmetic treatments are less invasive and allow patients to get home right away.
Improved suturing techniques, surgical approaches and new technologies, such as endoscopy (inserting a small camera to see from the inside) allow surgeons to perform operations faster and with fewer complications. Most operations are now performed on an outpatient basis, and patients can get back to their lives in a shorter amount of time. Surgeons have also chosen to focus on faster and more predictable recovery from surgery to allow patients to return more quickly to their work and social activities.
Minimally invasive, non-surgical treatments are leading the pack.
In the past, the only non-surgical treatments available were chemical peels and facials. Today, there are numerous treatment methods and technologies available that serve as good alternatives to surgery.
These new non-surgical treatments make up a large portion of the growing number of cosmetic procedures performed worldwide. Patients are now able to make small, subtle changes to their appearance as needed rather than waiting until surgery becomes the only option. These treatments are naturally much cheaper than surgery, making them a preferable option and opening them up to a younger demographic.
Treatments can now be tailored to the desires of the patient
In the past, cosmetic surgery was mostly a one-size-fits-all deal. Even something as simple as breast implants only came in a finite amount of shapes and sizes that left many feeling disappointed. Today, cosmetic treatments are much more flexible and can achieve a wide variety of looks.
The focus has shifted away from the procedure and towards the individual.
More complex issues can now be addressed. Different treatments can now be combined to achieve more impressive results in a safer, more efficient way.
Dr. Weber is an expert in the latest plastic surgery techniques
Cosmetic treatments have come a long way since their inception. Unfortunately, many of the misconceptions around them are still pervasive in society today. Prospective patients would do well to research modern techniques and look into what today’s cosmetic practitioners can achieve. Dr. Weber and his colleagues are doing some truly awe-inspiring work.
Dr. Weber is a world-renowned plastic surgeon in Denver, CO. He is a double board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon and owner of Weber Facial Plastic Surgery, PC. Dr. Weber’s practice is focused on cosmetic facial surgery, laser skin resurfacing, and injectable facial treatments.
Well-known for his aptitude for facial aesthetics as Dr. Weber further strengthened a medical student at Boston University School of Medicine, his passion for facial plastic and reconstructive surgery during a five-year Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery residency at Oregon Health and Science University. Dr. Weber’s training culminated with his fellowship in Facial Plastic Surgery at the University of Michigan. He was selected for this out of a pool of over 50 of the most highly qualified residents in the country.