Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Blog – Harley Medical Group

Increasing numbers of women are opting for laser hair removal treatment, to escape “the life-long drudgery of waxing and shaving”, according to a story published today.

The report by Manchester Confidential also found that laser hair removal is chosen out of necessity by those with unwanted facial hair, or those suffering with the painful problem of persistent ingrown hairs. And it is not just women opting for the treatment, men who suffer from irritation on the beard line due to regular shaving are also booking in to have it done.

The online magazine cites the main reasons for undergoing a course of laser hair removal as, wanting to find a more permanent hair removal solution, to avoid shaving rash, to treat ingrown hairs, and to save money on waxing and threading in the long run.

Treatment lengths differ from person to person but an average of eight sessions is said to be the optimum number for most people, with treatments on the face recommended every four weeks, and treatments on the body every six.

Increasing numbers of men living in the United Arab Emirates are choosing to spend their money on cosmetic surgery procedures, according to recent figures.

The Emirates Medical Association has reported that of the people who had cosmetic surgery in the UAE last year, 47 per cent were men. This was a seven per cent rise on the corresponding figures for 2009.

These figures equated to approximately DH300 million being spent on various surgical procedures, including liposuction, rhinoplasty (nose job), face lifts and otoplasty (ear reshaping).

However, the overall number of people going under the knife has reportedly dropped by 40 per cent, when compared to statistics from 2008.

The figures were revealed by Dr Ali Numeiri, an official in the plastic surgery division of the Emirates Medical Association. Dr Numeiri was speaking at a conference in Dubai on breast surgery, which was attended by plastic surgeons and organisations from all over the world.

A Kardashian sister is in the press, again. But this time, instead of wanting to make something (read lips or breasts) bigger, this sister is looking to reduce the size of her bust.

Kourtney Kardashian, 31, has revealed that since giving birth to her first child, Mason, she is considering having the breast implants she had inserted during her college days removed.

Talking to online gossip column Bang Showbiz, Kourtney said: “I had my boobs done but if I could go back, I wouldn’t have done it. I was so cute before.

“I’ve realised that I was made to look a certain way and I’m considering removing them.”

The comments make it clear that the image she has of her body has changed since she became a mum. She has said that she will wait until she stops breastfeeding to find out more about the breast reduction surgery.

A survey carried out in Korea has found that 41.4 per cent of teenagers polled would be willing to have plastic surgery for beauty reasons.

Research carried out by e-Seoul found that the average age of people choosing to undergo cosmetic surgery procedures has fallen in recent years. And a worrying statistic thrown up by the report is the fact that the number of under-18s opting to have operations is increasing. Double eyelid surgery is one of the most popular procedures with young people, according to a report by the Korea Joongang Daily newspaper.

Lee Seung-Hwan, a surgeon who runs a clinic in southern Seoul, has seen the change.

He said: “Compared to 2007, the percentage of teenage clients has gradually increased in 2010. What to take note of here is the fact that the minimum age group is decreasing to middle school students in grade eight or nine.”

Korea is by no means the only country where youngsters are having surgical procedures performed. A report in the South China Morning Post on Monday said in Hong Kong, girls as young as 14 were having operations with their parents’ consent.

Three episodes in, and Channel 4’s Beauty and The Beast: The Ugly Face of Prejudice is receiving mixed reviews.

The Metro newspaper seemed decidedly bored with the whole premise of the show, summed up as “the one who’s vain at the beginning turns out to have some self-esteem issues”, adding “did anyone see that coming?” and describing it as “the same old story”.

Online lifestyle magazine Manchester Confidential wrote about it from the angle of Miss Manchester, Elicia Davies, who was the ‘beauty’ that appeared in last night’s show, and gave it a more positive review. They wrote: “If the purpose was to make us stop staring at an unusual face and look deeper into a picture perfect one, then it certainly achieved that.”

But it has been the featured consultant plastic surgeons that have shed the most light on the many, very varied reasons why people choose to alter their appearance. Their balanced approach has been the shining light in what might have otherwise been at best a dull series, and at worst a dark and self-indulgent one.

Harley Street consultant plastic surgeon Mr Azhar Aslam was filmed during an initial consultation with Davies, an appointment which all potential patients are required to attend, and his approach was a far cry from pushy salesman. In fact, Mr Aslam was more of a concerned parent, trying to get at the reasons why Davies felt she needed dermal fillers to plump up her cheeks.

The beauty queen admitted that she wanted to look perfect, an ideal which Mr Aslam assured her is subjective and therefore not a good enough reason to undergo cosmetic surgery. Davies looked distraught but when filmed two months later to see if appearing on the show had changed her life, she seemed to be extremely appreciative of his approach.

And in the first episode, cosmetic surgeon Mr Patrick Mallucci advised an overweight girl that fat removal surgery was not the answer, but instead exercise and healthy eating were.

Apart from ethical cosmetic surgeons, we wonder if the next three shows can reveal anything different from the first.

Laser hair removal has been hailed as the solution to the problem of painful, red, and itchy skin that can occur as the result of shaving.

A report published in the Miami Herald newspaper yesterday advised both men and women to avoid razor burn by regularly changing the blade, using shaving foam not soap, and shaving after a warm bath or shower.

But according to the newspaper, the only long-term solution to unwanted hair that won’t leave you with irritated skin or ingrown hairs is laser hair removal. Not only does the technique offer a permanent reduction or removal of hair from the face and body, but it cures painful ingrown hairs and prevents them from recurring.

Importantly, reporter Leslie Bauman wrote: “Laser hair removal allows you to ditch your razor forever. But don’t be swayed by bargain prices at a spa or salon because there are potential side effects, especially for those with darker skin. Your dermatologist can determine the right laser for your skin colour so you can have fuzz-free skin for the long-term.”

Increasing numbers of Australian women aged 40 and older are opting for cosmetic surgery and non-surgical solutions, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald.

The report, entitled ‘Cougars in or out?’ explains the increasingly popular trend of young men dating much older women, and the pressures this phenomenon can place on these women to look young. The term ‘cougar’ refers to older women who seek out relationships with men who are at least 10 years younger than themselves. Actress Demi Moore, 49, is famously married to fellow film star Ashton Kutcher, who is 16 years her junior.

When interviewed, consultant plastic surgeon Dr Joseph Ajaka, who is based at the Cosmos Clinic in Sydney, Australia, revealed that there has been a significant growth in cosmetic surgery in Australia, as women in their forties, fifties and sixties opt for Botox and Juvéderm, as well as breast lift surgery and liposuction.

The focus of this year’s annual Baker Gordon Educational Symposium, held in Miami, America, was ‘The Transformational Effects of Volume Addition in Aesthetic Surgery’.

The conference, now in its 45th year, was attended by consultant plastic surgeon Dr Ralph Garramone, who runs a practice in Fort Myers, Florida.

In an interview conducted following the conference, Dr Garramone said: “The importance of providing volume restoration to patients seeking rejuvenation of the face and body by using injectable fillers or body fat was emphasised at this important three-day meeting.”

He added: “In the future there will be a greater understanding of the role of stem cells to enhance rejuvenation and restoration.”

As well as placing emphasis on the importance of dermal fillers to plump-up the skin on the face, Dr Garramone also advocated the increased use of short surgical incisions when performing face lifts and breast augmentation to achieve natural-looking results.

The changing faces of pop stars, singers and musicians stole the show at this year’s Grammy Awards, with the results of a variety of cosmetic surgery procedures on show during performances, awards and acceptance speeches.

Controversial pop star Lady Gaga, who was spotted wearing a bra and not much else at the official after-show party, has reportedly had a nose job. Singer LeAnn Rimes is rumoured to have had breast implants, and veteran pop star Cyndi Lauper had recovered from her recent medical microdermabrasions, and was looking fresh-faced on the red carpet.

Self-confessed plastic surgery fan Cher also made an appearance. She has admitted to having had nose reshaping surgery and breast enlargement surgery, and rumours are rife that she has also had eyelid surgery and a face lift.

Kelly Osbourne and mum Sharon were also in attendance, with the latter apparently looking so youthful as a result of a brow lift, liposuction and a tummy tuck.

Chanelle Hayes, who made a name for herself by appearing on Big Brother in 2007, has shown off her new curves in a photoshoot for the latest issue of men’s magazine Zoo.

Hayes, who underwent liposuction surgery and had breast implants in November last year, following the birth of her son Blakely in July, posed in red floral lingerie for the front cover, and a black bra, knickers, stocking and suspenders for the inside images.

The 23-year-old spent £4,500 on her cosmetic surgery, which helped to remove hard-to-shift baby weight, restoring her figure to a size six, and took her bust size to 34EE from 34B.

In an interview with the magazine, Hayes said: “I realised I was really curvaceous everywhere except on top, so I need something to balance it out!

“I wake up in the morning now, look down and say, ‘hiya Pinky, hiya Perky, what do you want for breakfast girls?’ Ha!”