Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Blog – Harley Medical Group

Fashion mogul Victoria Beckham, aka ‘Posh Spice’, has revealed her battle with stretch marks and in the process inspired experts to speak out about prevention and removal methods.

Many creams and gels claim to reduce the appearance of stretch marks or prevent them occurring altogether, but few can provide clinical evidence for such claims and experts can therefore be wary of promoting them.

Mrs Beckham’s openness about her pregnancy stretch marks has sparked cosmetic surgery experts to speak out about available treatments. Laser techniques are high on the list of cosmetic treatments that are proven to work for a high percentage of patients, but consumers considering this course of action are advised to be aware that only a few are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Experts Dr Aamer and Lesley Reynolds Khan advise those who are worried about suffering from stretch marks recommend a diet that is rich in protein and mineral zinc – which can be found in brown rice, shellfish and yoghurt. It is also recommended to stay well hydrated at all times.

Confidence comes from a combination of life experience and good skin, according to a recent survey published by online news site American Health and Beauty.

The study revealed that 66 per cent of women are happy with their overall appearance and 65 per cent of those said that stretch marks or other skin imperfections don’t have much of an impact on this. However, 42 per cent admitted that their confidence would probably increase if they could iron out these blemishes.

Self-confidence also appears to grow with age, with 48 per cent of women admitting that they are more confident now than they were 10 years ago. The results revealed that women aged 55 or younger tended to be more concerned with stretch marks than those aged 55 plus.

When interviewed following the results of the survey, psychologist Dr Marci Fox told women: “Don’t be afraid to use a product or ask for help.”

These days there are some great stretch mark treatments available and consumers should look for FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved solutions in UK clinics.

Some people will compete in just about any kind of competition if the chance for fame and fortune, or a so-called ‘better life’, is up for grabs. So when television producers came up with the idea of contestants, specifically brides-to-be, competing to win cosmetic surgery procedures, the show was bound to attract a lot of interest.

Here comes the bride, short, fat, and wide, so the parody goes, but not any longer. Please stand for the arrival of Bridalplasty. The latest reality TV show to come out of America pits brides-to-be against each other in weekly competitions to win cosmetic surgery. Contestants pick procedures off their wish-lists and the overall winner receives $100,000 to pay for their dream wedding, having achieved their perfect look.

Critics have hailed this as a new low for the genre of reality TV, and quite frankly, it’s hard to disagree, with its only redeeming feature being that it puts cosmetic surgery firmly in the mainstream.

Hollyoaks actress Jennifer Metcalfe, ex-Atomic Kitten Kerry Katona, and American reality television star Kim Kardashian, have all been associated with cosmetic surgery procedures in recent weeks, raising the profiles of liposuction, stretch mark removal treatments, breast implants, and dermal fillers even further.

So with the exclusivity of cosmetic surgery firmly in the past, men and women all over the world are finding financial packages that allow them to opt for surgical and non-surgical treatments.  And recent findings suggest that cosmetic surgery is not just the basis for gratuitous reality television programmes, but is also giving renewed confidence to cancer patients who have aged prematurely as the result of treatment.

A new study has found that as many as half of British women feel a lack of confidence in their appearance due to the presence of unsightly stretch marks, and that a fifth of women who develop the marks during pregnancy even try to hide them from their partners. (more…)

More mothers in the UK are investigating cosmetic surgery solutions to combat the effects pregnancy can have on their bodies. (more…)

It has been revealed that laser treatment could significantly reduce the appearance of unsightly stretch marks.

The confidence blighting marks could be reduced by up to 75 per cent with the new non surgical solution. (more…)