Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Blog – Harley Medical Group

Generation X is defying the struggling US economy by shelling out their hard-earned wages on cosmetic surgery.

According to a recent study by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), in 2010, 43 per cent of all cosmetic surgery procedures were carried out on those aged between 31 and 45 – ‘Generation X’. Those aged between 51 and 64 – the so-called ‘baby boomers’ – accounted for just 28 per cent.

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Burlesque star Dita Von Teese is internationally renowned for her incredible body and suggestive stage routines. And according to the performer, her figure can be put down to a combination of good genes, healthy eating and on occasion cosmetic procedures.

Speaking to OK! magazine, Von Teese said choosing the right foods is an important part of staying healthy and keeping in shape. She said sugar is one foodstuff that she has cut out completely by training her body not to crave it.

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New research has found that more Moroccan men than ever before are turning to plastic surgery in order to improve their looks.

Data gathered by the Moroccan Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery shows that the popularity of surgical and non-surgical treatments has reached unprecedented levels.

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X Factor finalist Kitty Brucknell has admitted to using dermal fillers to smooth out the appearance of her forehead.

The 26-year-old, who began having Botox injections earlier this year, told the Daily Mail she was worried her frown lines would turn into permanent wrinkles. The singer said she opted to have the anti-aging treatment after watching footage of herself on stage and realising that she was frowning.

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American dermatologists have given their backing to the use of microdermabrasion to help reduce the appearance of brown spots on the skin.

Board certified dermatologists at the Dermatology Centre of Atlanta, Georgia, have said specialised treatments such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion can help to lessen the appearance of brown spots by gently lightening the pigment during a course of treatment.

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The number of men undergoing cosmetic procedures is predicted to increase in 2011, according to the American Society Of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

This follows a trend observed between 2009 and 2010, when data from ASPS showed that the male percentage of plastic surgery patients had gone up from 7 per cent to 9 per cent. The most common enhancement was nose reshaping, followed by eyelid surgery and liposuction.

Non-surgical treatments also showed growth in popularity, with Botox (clinically known as botulinum toxin) coming out on top and laser hair removal and microdermabrasion close behind. In 2010, of 13.1 million cosmetic procedures performed, 1.6 million were surgical, while 11.6 million were minimally invasive.

The ASPS website states: “As the economy continues to improve, demand for face-lifts and other facial rejuvenation surgery will increase.

“Non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures will also see some growth, but people who have been putting off surgery for the past few years because of the economy will be ready for the gold standard in facial rejuvenation in 2011.”

Dr Fazel Fatah, plastic surgeon and president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), has called the cross-selling of procedures “unethical”.

Talking to the BBC, Dr Fatah issued a stark warning that lines are becoming dangerously blurred between surgical and non-surgical treatments. The surgeon compared choosing an unregulated clinic to have either type of procedure, to trusting your boiler to an unqualified engineer.

The number of people choosing to have Botox and face lifts for example is rising rapidly and with this in mind Dr Fatah is worried that cosmetic treatments are trivialising serious surgical operations.

“While you may think there is nothing unethical about encouraging customers to buy two items from a shop when they intend to buy one only, it is highly unethical to cross sell serious medical procedures to an unwitting customer when she or he goes simply to have a non-invasive beauty treatment or injections to reduce wrinkles”, says Dr Fatah.

And it is with this in mind that patients are reminded of the importance of choosing a regulated and ethical provider, whether they are opting for surgical or non-surgical procedures.

Treatments to rejuvenate the skin and laser hair removal procedures are topping the table of popular treatments, says one clinic in Australia.

Manager of the Medilight clinic, Jane Stephenson, told City News that more and more people are choosing these non-surgical treatments in a bid to look younger and save time keeping their bodies fuzz-free.

“Many customers choose facial, hands, décolletage or neck skin rejuvenation treatments to help them look and feel younger,” Stephenson said.

“The results are incredible, it can literally take years off”, she added.

The experienced aesthetic practitioner went on to say how laser hair removal offers people the chance to “forget shaving and waxing every other day or week”, something which allows people to save money on temporary hair removal and stay hair-free long term.

Stephenson believes treatments such as these will continue to become more and more popular as gifts for occasions such as Mother’s Day.

A healthcare body has stressed the importance of only receiving Botox treatments from trained professionals.

Thanks to the recession, people are looking to find cheaper ways of looking good. But the Independent Healthcare Advisory Service is concerned that people are putting themselves at risk by cutting corners in order to save cash when it comes to Botox injections.

A report by The Sun newspaper says Botox parties are becoming increasingly popular, but there are substantial risks if the person carrying out the procedure is not sufficiently qualified.

Sally Taber, a founding member of IHAS, said: “We are urging everyone to think about their safety when choosing a practitioner and by following our five-point checklist, patients can ensure they are in the best possible hands.”

Ms Taber said there are a number of things people can do to ensure they stay safe when receiving injectable cosmetics. Checking the person carrying out the procedure is qualified, has suitable credentials and is properly trained are extremely important, as is making sure the environment where the treatment is taking place is clean and safe. Ensuring the quality of the substance being used is also a must.

Richard Hammond, a co-presenter on BBC2 motoring show Top Gear, has attracted attention after appearing at an event in the capital with particularly smooth skin.

The 37-year-old was photographed at the Carphone Warehouse Appy Awards looking particularly youthful, leading to speculation that the television star may have had Botox injections in order to reduce the appearance of his wrinkles.

According to Hammond’s spokesperson though, the presenter’s fresh-faced look was simply down to the lighting at the event rather than non-surgical solutions.

He said: “Richard hasn’t had anything done. It could be the lighting that has made him appear younger. ”

But not everyone is convinced. Speaking to the Daily Mail newspaper, Dr Roberto Viel, from the London Centre for Aesthetic Surgery, thinks Hammond has received treatment.

He said: “It appears as if Richard could have undergone a blepharoplasty to remove bags and excess skin around the eyes. The area looks much less puffy than previously.

“I would also say that the wrinkles around the eyes have lessened, indicating he could have also had Botox to smooth out crow’s feet.”