Discover Cosmetic Surgery

Sunday, 29 January 2012

Excessive Superficial Liposuction

Excessive superficial liposuction can produce significant cosmetic complications.

The use of the tumescent technique and microcannulas allows the surgeon to do liposuction more superficially and to generate smoother results than could be done with old-fashioned techniques that used larger cannulas.

Some surgeons mistakenly believe that scraping the undersurface of the skin with the liposuction cannula will cause the skin to contract.

There is no scientific evidence to support the theory that intentional injury to the skin by doing excessive superficial liposuction produces improved cosmetic results.

Excessive superficial liposuction can injure the superficial blood and lymphatic vessels located on the immediate undersurface of the skin resulting in significant complications including scars, lumpiness, permanent irregular coloration, and full necrosis (death) of the overlying skin.

Skin naturally contracts after liposuction because
1) skin naturally contains elastic fibers and
2) skin is relieved of the gravitational effect of subcutaneous fat, and
3) liposuction naturally results in contraction of the collagen in subcutaneous fat.

Surgeons who advocate superficial liposuction must be careful to avoid the performance of excessive superficial liposuction.

Thursday, 19 January 2012

Common Causes of Cellulite and What You Can Do

Age

While cellulite can start to appear at any time after puberty, it becomes more common after the age of 30. There are several reasons for this. To start with, from the age of 30, the average woman gains 4.5 - 6.8kg (10-15lb) of fat per decade, and the more fat you have on your body, the higher your risk of cellulite becomes.

Ageing also triggers the thinning of the top layer of the skin that covers the subcutis layer, making the bumpy fat more visible from the surface. Finally, over the years, collagen fibres start to harden. This means the septa, which tether the skin to the underlying muscle, start to shorten and the skin is pulled downwards - the cause of the dimpling which is visible on the surface.

Sedentary Lifestyles

Today, we walk an average of 3 km (8 miles) per day less than our grandparents did - and every element of the formation of cellulite is affected by that inactivity. For example, the less you move, the fewer calories you will burn off and the more likely it is that you will gain weight. Inactivity also slows the circulation - when we exercise we strengthen the heart and without that strengthening, circulation is likely to be slowed. The problem i even worse for the lymph. It has no pump to send it round the system. Instead it relies solely on the contraction of the muscles and if you don't move regularly,the lymph flow will slow down.

Excess Weight

In the UK, over 30% of women are overweight, while 24% are classed as obese. In the US, 35% of the population is deemed overweight, while a further 25% are obese. This picture is echoed over much of the western world. While it is true that cellulite does affect slim women, cellulite is fat and overweight people are more prone to it.

Smoking

While nobody has yet done conclusive research, it seems likely that smoking is a major contributing factor to cellulite. Smoking causes mass formation of free radicals, with millions entering the body with every puff. Also, researchers in Japan have found that smoking triggers the production of enzymes in the body called MMP (matrix metalloproteins). These chop up collagen fibres, causing skin to thin - and when this happens cellulite becomes more noticeable. And should your body try to repair that collagen, it is going to find it harder to do so, as smoking reduces the body's levels of vitamin C, the nutrient that is essential for the formation of collagen.

Other Toxins

There are a few other very common habits that may also contribute to cellulite, namely drinking too much alcohol, relying on caffeine and eating too many fatty or sugary foods. While it may not be correct to say that these things cause cellulite by clogging up the fat cells with their debris, it doesn't mean they're not involved in the formation. For starters, all of the above create free radicals and trigger stress on the lymph system. They also destroy some of the vital nutrients we need to actually burn fat off. For example, each cup of coffee knocks 6mg of calcium from your stores - and calcium helps convert cells from fat-storers to fat-burners.

Sunbathing

One of the nastiest factors in the fight against cellulite is that tanning - one of the few things that disguises the dimples - could actually be contributing to your problem. In high summer, it takes as little as four minutes of sun exposure for damage to start occurring to the collagen an elastin fibres under the skin. And just like the effects of ageing or smoking, this damage things the skin over the subcutis and makes cellulite much more noticeable. As well as this, exposure to too much sunlight dehydrates the skin and cellulite is also more noticeable on very dehydrated skin, as this causes it to become thinner and less flexible.

Discover how you can get rid of cellulite

Tuesday, 27 December 2011

Does Revitol Cream Really Get Rid of Cellulite?

Revitol cellulite cream is a cream that is applied to the areas of the skin affected by cellulite.

Cellulite can be found on many places on the body, such as the abdomen, buttocks, hips and thighs. It has been described as fatty deposits caught in pockets of connective tissues which and are just below the surface of the skin. These pockets of fat become enlarged, encouraging the cells themselves to fill up more space whilst pushing up against the skin, creating a dimpled and lumpy appearance.

To check whether or not you have cellulite you can squeeze an amount of skin between your fingers or both hands and if the area puckers, then this is confirmation that you have some cellulite.

It is more common in women than in men especially over the age of 35. However as more and more younger women gain weight, not necessarily through pregnancy any more, they too are prone to cellulite.

There are many ways to remove cellulite or to attempt to reduce the appearance of cellulite, and some of these do include the more expensive surgery methods. Procedures such as suction-assisted liposuction, ultrasonic-assisted liposuction and 3D-superficial liposuctionall claim to be able to remove cellulite from beneath the skin, but they come with their risks and a big price tag as well.

If you're looking for cheaper options to reduce the appearance of your cellulite, then creams may be the answer for you. Again, there are many different creams on the market today all claiming to be able to get the same results, however some are better than others. They will all moisturise the skin but they cannot all destroy the fatty pockets beneath the surface of the skin.

Some cellulite removal creams or anti cellulite creams, though, are formulated in such a way that their natural ingredients can penetrate through the layers of the skin to treat the fatty deposits beneath, encouraging the metabolic process to speed up and reduce the fat itself.

Revitol cream is such a cream, and many users of it are extremely happy and satisfied with the results. Revitol cream is designed to reduce the appearance of cellulite and has the following benefits:

The cream is designed to rehydrate and tighten the treated areas, whilst it can also create an even the skin tone also.
It helps to encourage the renewal of skin cells, promoting a healthier look.
It removes toxins which can be stored within fat cells.
It minimises the size of the fat storage cells.
Encourages and improves the elasticity of connective tissue beneath the skin.
It helps to encourage and improve metabolism within the treated area, due to the content of algae extract and green T extract which break down the fat to encourage the formation of smoother skin tissue.
It can treat other skin conditions such as stretch marks, wrinkles, dryness and acne in addition to cellulite.

It contains 100% natural ingredients such as vitamins, green tea extract, aloe Vera, bladderwack (a type of seaweed), retinol A, caffeine and algae extracts.

Retinol A is a particular ingredient which is derived from the A vitamin. It helps to strengthen and condition your skin focusing on the connective tissues which lie just underneath the surface of the skin.

The ingredients within Revitol cream are absorbed into the fat cells beneath the skin, helping to dissolve them by speeding up the metabolic processes, thus helping to create a smoother healthier looking skin.

Another of the reasons that Revitol cream works so well is because of the ingredient caffeine. Drinking excessive quantities of coffee however will not give you the results you are after, as consuming caffeine through your mouth and ultimately your stomach, is not going to reach or target the fat cells which create cellulite in the first place.

Revitol cream contains a particularly intense and she for the of a concentrated form of caffeine, encouraging it to target specific cellulite affected areas.

Retinol A is another important Revitol component or ingredient within the cream, which is derived from vitamin A and which focuses on the connective tissues within the skin helping to decrease the pockets which cause cellulite, preventing it from getting any worse and giving the skin a more youthful appearance.

Whilst Revitol cellulite cream may claim to remove cellulite and cure you of cellulite, it can certainly reduce the appearance on any specific area. Cellulite is a long-term skin condition and Revitol can treat it continually so long as you keep using the cream itself on a regular if not a daily basis. Revitol can give you rejuvenated, healthier and more attractive looking skin as a result of regular use.

Finally it should be mentioned that Revitol offers a three month money back guarantee to anyone who is unhappy with the results.

If you are affected by cellulite on particular areas of your body, I would fully recommend Revitol cream to reduce and remove its appearance as a cheaper and effective way of reducing the appearance of cellulite.

I believe it works, as I have seen the results first hand.

If you prefer to look at surgery methods however, do your research first, find out everything you possibly can about cellulite whether or not liposuction or other surgical treatments for cellulite, can remove cellulite as well as plain old body fat.

Breast Enhancement Surgery - Check Your Physician's Qualifications

When looking for a board-certified general or plastic surgeon to perform your breast enhancement surgery, it is advisable to evaluate and review appropriate providers of certain procedures as well as professional affiliations.

Board-certified plastic surgeons are suitable providers for procedures which are regarded as enhancement through plastic surgery of the breast, or procedures which will alter the appearance of, or even the shape of the breasts in any way.

These kinds of procedures include: breast enlargement, breast reduction, breast reconstruction, breast enhancement, breast lift, and surgical procedures to take care of flaws and deformities. In some instances, a cosmetic plastic surgeon might also perform procedures to remove cysts and breast tumors, breast-conserving surgery, lumpectomy, and procedures to remove the entire breast, including skin-sparing mastectomy and mastectomy procedures; although, these operations are more often carried out by a general surgeon. This is usually done in consultation with a plastic surgeon, in the event that reconstruction of the breast is proposed.

Suitable providers for procedures to identify or treat breast illness or disease, including procedures to remove breast cysts and breast tumors, biopsy, breast-conserving surgery, lumpectomy, as well as all forms of mastectomy, are board-certified surgeons.

Among board-certified general surgeons and plastic surgeons, professional affiliations include, more specifically, the organizations which assist the education, training, and research of plastic surgery or surgery generally, and of doctors attaining the right qualifications to undertake certain breast enhancement surgery procedures.

In addition, these organizations demand specific standards of practice, continuing medical training and eduction, and ethics, all with the objective of backing safety of the patients.

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons

With regard to board-certified plastic surgeons, identify membership within the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). ASPS demands that associates are board certified by the ABPS (American Board of Plastic Surgery), and requirements include additional continual training, education and competency and expertise in plastic surgery procedures. This organization furthermore demands that members adhere to basic safety specifications and also ethical standards including things like patient rights and privacy, and advertising.

The main professional membership for any board certified plastic surgeon is the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, however board-certified plastic surgeons can belong to sub-specialty groups. For instance, board-certified plastic surgeons who practice aesthetic plastic surgery (procedures designed purely for the intention of enhancing the appearance), may also belong to the ASAPS (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery).

Board-Certified Surgeons

The ACS (American College of Surgeons) is the professional organization for all surgical areas of expertise, which includes general surgery and plastic surgery. Members are defined by specialty. Like the American Society for Plastic Surgeons, the American College of Surgeons has membership conditions and continuing education specifications for their members in addition to ethical and safety requirements.

Physicians may also belong to sub-specialty groups. A professional group of surgeons formed the The American Society of Breast Surgeons, to promote research, to encourage the study of breast surgery, and encourage the development of advanced surgery methods and techniques, as well as to improve the standards of practice for breast enhancement surgery in the America. The Society of Surgical Oncologists is another professional group that includes physicians who are experts in the treatment of all forms of tumours.

Thursday, 30 June 2011

History of Cosmetic Surgery in the UK

If we define cosmetic surgery as surgery that alters physical appearance, then nearly all human cultures from the Stone Age onwards seem to have adopted practices that altered the appearance of members of the tribe. In Kenya, marks on the face were made by cutting the skin and then rubbing in earth so that the resulting scar was wide and visible. The idea was that a member of any particular tribe was instantly recognisable. Many tribesmen and women had bones or other objects forced through noses and earlobes. They did this, or had this done to them, for the age-old reason that they wanted to fit in and look like other members of their society. This is pretty much the same reason why the majority of cosmetic-surgery patients today seek surgery.

Although it is true to say that cosmetic surgery is still a relatively new speciality in the UK„ it dates back for centuries. The beginnings of eyelid surgery can be traced back to the 10^thcentury in Arabia. The first record of a facelift was in the early 1900s, although it is not known who attempted the very first one.

As early as 600 BC, the first evidence of nose reconstruction (rhinoplasty) was recorded. By the end of the 1^st century, rhinoplasty was common as a result of the uncivilised practice of cutting off the noses and lips of one’s enemies. By the 16^th century, noses were reconstructed after being severed in duels by using flaps of upper arm skin: necessity was the mother of invention!

Otoplasty (correction of protruding ears) was described in the 1850s, although there is some evidence to show that it was performed much earlier. The first breast reduction can be traced back to the 15^th century, while the first silicone implant for breast augmentation was performed in 1963. Prior to that, breasts were enlarged using dermal (deep layer of skin) grafts and even injecting liquid silicone, a practice that was short lived because of the disastrous consequences. The injection of liquid paraffin was also tried at various times since 1889, but the results were poor and the complications horrendous.

The most modern revolutionary cosmetic surgical procedure dates back to the early 1970s when surgeons in Switzerland described for the first time a technique for sucking out fat. The initial trials were not a total success because of the frequency of postoperative complications, notably seromas (large accumulations of fluid under the skin), which took a long time to absorb, and skin depressions. In 1977, a French surgeon, Gerard Motu, perfected the technique by using a blunt cannula (surgical tube) connected to a high negative pressure vacuum pump.

In most countries of the world, when a doctor qualifies as a specialist he sets about establishing a practice. There are various professional ways to do this. The usual way is to inform all of his colleagues that he is available to receive referrals relevant to his speciality, and he also sets about telling as many people as possible what he does and how to find him. Hopefully, sooner or later his reputation grows and his practice increases. Some specialists buy into already established practices as a junior partner and in many countries it is possible to buy a practice from someone who is retiring.

After the inception of the NHS in Great Britain in 1948, the system became quite different. It was only possible to set up as a specialist once one had been appointed a consultant. The supply of consultant posts was wry restricted, so a doctor only became a consultant when a post became vacant. There were always very many more trained doctors than there were posts available.

Doctors who became consultants under this system claim that only the best were chosen, but this was not always the case, as many doctors became disillusioned and either gave up hospital medicine or emigrated. It also meant that, in Britain many fully trained doctors could not get consultant posts and remained so-called junior doctors well into their 40s. This led to the concept that doctors who trained in the NHS needed 14 years or so after qualification to become adept in their speciality. The rest of the world did not believe this and overseas specialists became fully qualified at a much younger age.

The reason for the late appointment of consultants in the NHS was the bottleneck created by the lack of posts available. The training of junior doctors was generally on-the-job training, in an ad hoc fashion, more like an apprenticeship. Often there was no formal training; a junior doctor had to serve his time and hope that a consultant post became available when he was sufficiently senior.

In the NHS in the 1970s there was no formal training in cosmetic surgery. There still isn’t really, because very few purely cosmetic operations are performed in NHS hospitals. Nearly all cosmetic surgery is done in the private sector. Both the authors left the NHS and gained their training by following senior surgeons who had busy private practices.

Plastic surgery was established as a speciality only relatively recently, after the Second World War. Plastic surgeons claimed cosmetic surgery as part of their speciality, but in reality many different types of surgeon have been performing cosmetic surgery for over 150 years. It is not true that plastic surgeons are the only ones who are fully qualified, as they claim, to carry it out. Their own training programme has only recently embraced cosmetic procedures. They spend most of their time carrying out operations on burns, malformations and injuries and their training reflects this. It is quite common even today for a plastic surgeon to become a fully qualified specialist with virtually no experience in cosmetic surgery.

There is little common ground between the usual NHS plastic-surgery patient and those seeking a cosmetic operation. Cosmetic patients are generally much more exacting in their expectations than those who need cancer surgery or skin grafting for burns.

There used to be a total prohibition on any form of advertising by doctors. This was designed to protect vulnerable patients from blandishments from unscrupulous doctors. In reality, it protected and controlled the referral system of private patients by GPs to hospital consultants. Up until the 1970s it was never imagined that this ‘in-house’ system could or would be challenged by anyone. But challenged it was, by a group of entrepreneurs who took advantage of a legal loophole that allowed non-medical people to set up independent private medical services, which then employed surgeons and anaesthetists.

These entrepreneurs had only one thought in mind; medical ethics were certainly not high on the agenda. They were not regulated by any ethical body, and were therefore allowed to publicly promote and advertise medical services in the media. As a result private medical services began to be established offering abortions, medical screening and cosmetic surgery.

Some unscrupulous individuals saw this as a passport to making easy money and established some of the first cosmetic surgery clinics in the 1970s. Many employed hard-sell tactics and adopted the attitude that they were beyond reproach as any mishap could easily be blamed on the doctor. Therefore, they would refuse to take any responsibility in the event of a problem. These individuals quickly gained control of the cosmetic-surgery industry.

Unfortunately, many doctors did not approve of cosmetic surgery in any form and refused to refer their patients. This meant that many patients had no way of finding a surgeon who performed cosmetic surgery unless they contacted one of these clinics. Since that time the number of these clinics and establishments in the UK has grown enormously, particularly since 2001. Every major town and city has several different providers in competition with one another.

As a result of the activities of commercial clinics, the rules on medical advertising have now been very considerably relaxed and numbers of doctors appear in the media hawking their skills. Often they are the same doctors who only a few years ago accused surgeons who worked for commercial clinics of being unethical.

Advertising is still generally disapproved of by most of the profession. However, in Britain today, the majority of cosmetic operations are performed by doctors working for commercial clinics. These clinics have a financial imperative to carry out as many operations as possible and, certainly in the past, dubious methods were used to get patients to sign up. It is however commercial suicide to run an unethical clinic and most, but by no means all, clinics these days treat their patients with consideration and skill. There is still a risk, however, that a vulnerable patient may meet a salesman or woman paid on commission who will say virtually anything in order to get them to undergo treatment.

Whatever the criticism of cosmetic surgery in the past, one thing is patently obvious: in expert hands it is extremely successful and has transformed the lives of many people for the better. It is here to stay and is growing very quickly.

Cosmetic Surgery: General Considerations

General Considerations

Cosmetic surgery can be defined as ‘that branch of surgery whose primary aim is the enhancement of the non-pathological external appearance of a patient’.

In cosmetic surgery perfection is the aim, rarely the achievement. What may be deemed an acceptable result by one patient may be totally unacceptable to another. The realistic aim of cosmetic surgery therefore is to improve the appearance of a particular feature or deformity with the intention of achieving increased self-satisfaction and self-confidence.

Those expecting a miracle or a result that is outside the realms of surgical possibility will doubtless be disappointed. A particular surgeon may be unable to match what a patient has in mind regarding the final appearance. On occasions it may transpire that the goal of the patient would not actually suit him or her, or prove to be disappointing, even if attained.

The successful result of any cosmetic surgical procedure thus depends not only on the skill and experience of the surgeon, but also on a number of factors outside the surgeon’s direct control. These factors include the patient’s general health, age, skin texture, bone structure, healing properties, and the expectations of the patient. These can all influence the final result.

It is possible for complications to occur that in the short term can spoil a result. Complications occur in all branches of medicine and surgery, and are often outside the control of the medical practitioner. Occasionally, a patient may be directly responsible for causing a complication either through carelessness or not following postoperative instructions.

The success or failure of any cosmetic surgical procedure therefore is measured by one factor and one factor only, namely: ‘Is the patient happy with the result?’ Independent opinions count for nothing if the patient is dissatisfied.

Although a trained and experienced cosmetic surgeon is a highly qualified medical practitioner, he is not a magician, and is limited by the materials at his disposal. A person who is of moderate attractiveness cannot be turned into a ravishing supermodel by a nose-reshape operation, for example!

Not every prospective patient will be accepted for surgery. Sometimes it is in the patient’s best interests to be refused surgery, especially if the result could turn out to be less than satisfactory or, worse still, turn out to be worse than the previous situation. This can occasionally occur.

At the consultation a good surgeon will attempt to assess the patient psychologically as well as physically. This is to help him or her decide if the expected or usual result of the procedure is likely to please the patient. On rare occasions a cosmetic surgeon may refer a patient for a psychiatric opinion before deciding whether to operate. Cosmetic surgery is not a panacea or cure-all for all of life’s problems.

The ideal patient must be sufficiently self-motivated to undergo cosmetic surgery. If the desire for cosmetic surgery has been initiated by the ‘encouragement’ or persistence of a friend, relative or spouse, the end result is more likely to be a disappointment for patient and surgeon alike. It is difficult enough to satisfy and please one patient, let alone their partner and friends as well.

It is extremely unusual to encounter a patient who is not nervous or apprehensive about undergoing cosmetic surgery. This is only natural. Every surgical procedure, even a simple one such as a tooth extraction, entails some degree of risk. There may be complications, and the results may not match expectations.

The Need for Cosmetic Surgery

We have learned from experience that even stunningly attractive people find fault in their appearance, often exaggerating their problem when it may seem negligible to the average onlooker. It is difficult to explain the reasons for this, but it is possible that this particular group of people set themselves very high standards from an early age and are so preoccupied with their appearance that, the moment they perceive a deterioration, they immediately seek help.

Learned psychologists will attempt to explain this phenomenon as a personality flaw. Many psychologists still denigrate cosmetic surgery as unnecessary and attempt to explain any strong reaction to a blemish as a deep-rooted mental aberration. But, despite all the complex jargon and scientific research conducted in an attempt to explain it, they are unable to offer a simple treatment or cure that will satisfy those afflicted with an abnormal obsessional disorder pertaining to their physical appearance. In our experience, attempting to convince a patient that her nose is pretty when she is convinced it is not, simply does not work.

Most people we meet in our practice every day are perfectly normal individuals who simply dislike a particular part of their anatomy, and would like it improved. In the vast majority of cases, the results of surgery are very successful and the patient resumes a normal lifestyle with renewed confidence.

There is no doubt that there are those who will never be happy with their appearance no matter what. These people can usually, but not always, be spotted by the experienced surgeon, and the only ethical response is to refuse them treatment. The surgeon may then refer the patient for counselling, really the only alternative when surgery will undoubtedly prove unsatisfactory.

How successful counselling may eventually prove will depend on the expertise of the counsellor and the seriousness of the person’s condition. One thing is certain – no amount of counselling can remove a physical blemish! As to whether someone can be persuaded that they do not really have a problem, when for years they have despaired of their particular blemish, is a matter for debate. We have certainly not encountered a case where this has happened. Conversely, however, we have both seen patients who have been cured of psychiatric problems by having successful cosmetic surgery.

It is hard not to feel pressure to look one’s best. Media coverage constantly exposes women to pictures of beautiful women, and advertising for beauty-enhancement products. Add to this any active criticism of a blemish an individual may have received from those around them, and a person can feel surrounded by reminders of their physical imperfections. Realistically, adults are no different from children in this respect. We have even encountered patients who were not ridiculed as children, but only when they became adults. All this leads to an ever-increasing sense of self-deprecation.

Early Childhood

Problems can start early in life if classroom bullying and teasing is rife. A common example is the child with protruding ears. Such teasing can lead to serious consequences for both child and parents. The child will detest going to school, become withdrawn, unhappy and depressed. His or her early developmental progress at school may be seriously compromised. The parents will suffer likewise, very often at a loss as to how to solve the problem.

Ears are fully developed by the age of five and a simple operation, at that stage can alleviate a lot of potential psychological damage in the future.

Adolescence

The next stage is the adolescent going through puberty. This is the time when many teenagers experience the onset of acne, which may be quite disfiguring. Other problems that occur at this time include problems with the development of secondary sexual characteristics e.g. breast-development in girls. This is often a time of turmoil for many teenagers who constantly strive to look their best and comply with the latest fashion trends in order not to be the odd one out.

We are now operating on more younger people than before. Schoolgirls will seek breast enlargement to avoid ridicule by their peers. Some will refuse to attend sports activities because it means undressing in front of classmates and changing into sports kit. Nose reshaping is also becoming more frequent in teenagers, as is liposuction. However, we do not feel that cosmetic surgery should generally be offered to teenagers unless the problem is particularly severe.

Early Adulthood

At the age of 18, most females have reached full physical maturity. They stop growing and have fully developed sexual characteristics, facial features and body shape. This is the time when a general overhaul of aesthetic appearance takes serious priority.

In the majority, if adolescence precluded seeking or establishing a relationship with the opposite sex because of the usual restrictions, early adulthood, with its new freedoms, can make up for the shortfall At this time most will be seeking to look their best in order to attract a partner.

Cosmetic surgeons will see patients in their young adulthood who will request nearly all the commonly available procedures, apart from those specific to reversing the aging process.

Middle Age

This is the next category of self-referral for cosmetic surgery. By this time most women will have had children. The early signs of facial aging will also be taking their toll.

A woman might complain of smaller, drooping breasts; a loose, flabby abdomen, and varicose or thread veins as a result of childbearing. The more children she has had, the more pronounced the problem. In addition she will probably have put on weight and be concerned about her facial appearance, particularly if she has been a heavy smoker for many years. She may therefore be seeking facial fillers and Botox®, as well as surgery.

Over the years, we have observed that many women request a facelift at the age of 50 and satisfy themselves that by doing this at that age it will last them until old age when they will not be concerned about their appearance. Many do not realise that they will still strive to look their best even at 70 because mentally they will probably feel the same as they did at 50. We often see women coming back ten years later for a repeat procedure.

Old Age

The majority of patients at this age are women who are mostly concerned with facial and eyelid aging. In addition many will request facial fillers and Botox® even though at that age fillers and Botox® will have very limited beneficial effect By this stage many will not be physically fit for surgery or not even be particularly concerned about their appearance, electing instead to grow old gracefully. Only those who are in good health will be operated on.

Conclusion

Although the concept of beauty is difficult to define precisely, one thing is for certain: with ever-improving and developing technologies, most women can rest assured that a great deal can be achieved to enhance their aesthetic appearance and thereby bring increased self satisfaction and self confidence.

The perception of beauty is ultimately a matter of personal taste and opinion. One thing is for certain — if we all had the identical concept of beauty all men would be attracted to the same women and vice versa, leaving many disappointed individuals overlooked. It is patently obvious that we have been designed to hold diverse views and opinions on what we find beautiful so that the human race can continue to procreate and survive.

Are You Considering Cosmetic Surgery?

Cosmetic surgery can achieve almost unbelievable results. It has never been so popular and accessible, and celebrity endorsement has made it top of the wish list for not just the rich and famous, but for ordinary people as well.

But whether you are contemplating a simple Botox treatment to iron out your wrinkles, liposuction for troublesome areas of flab, or a more major procedure on our breast or face, it should never be undertaken lightly.

When a patient's expectations are unrealistically high or when inexperienced surgeons, employed by less reputable clinics, are let loose on an unsuspecting public, disappointment or even disaster can ensue.

It is always vital that the right surgery is done for the right reason, on the right patient, by the right surgeon. It is also imperative that sufficient time is devoted to preoperative counselling, so that informed consent can be given and the patient is fully aware of what to expect.

We live in a world where most media coverage of the subject is either journalistic hype, corporate advertorial or blatant scaremongering. It is difficult to know what to believe.

What is a Surgical Operation?

A surgical operation is a controlled injury and the body reacts to it like it does to any injury. Cosmetic surgery is not just about undergoing a surgical procedure, however. Before any patient is subjected to the physical injury of an operation, many other factors have to be considered. Indeed, we are firmly of the opinion that the preoperative considerations and preparatory events leading up to the big day when the surgeon makes the first incision, are equally if not more important, than the actual operative procedure.

Many people who undergo cosmetic surgery have never been in hospital before and are understandably frightened by the prospect. Some are more afraid of having a general anaesthetic than undergoing the operation itself. Fear of the unknown is natural and forever present in the field of surgery.

A fully informed patient is far more likely to be less apprehensive about undergoing surgery, be less nervous on the day of surgery and more likely to accept and come to terms with the possible, common postoperative events that are likely to be encountered. A fully informed patient is forewarned and therefore forearmed to face any possible eventuality. This can only be of benefit to the patient (as well as the surgeon and his staff).

Cosmetic Surgery: The Concept of Beauty

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

Since the dawn of history, men and women have attempted to modify their appearance to comply with the cultural standards of the era.

There are many philosophical theories to explain this concept but it doesn’t take a genius to work out that a physically attractive man and woman are more likely to get married or find a partner (as they are more sought after by the opposite sex), get better jobs and generally be more confident and successful.

Although it is not possible to define beauty easily — it varies with different cultures and is dependent on the eye of the beholder — there are certain physical characteristics that are significant for the overall ideal concept of beauty.

It is commonly said that the ‘ideal woman’ has a small chin, delicate jaw, large lips, small nose, prominent cheekbones, large and widely spaced eyes and a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.7. The ‘ideal man’ is tall, has rugged macho features — rectangular face and chin, deep-set eyes, heavy brow, large straight nose in proportion to the size of the face — and a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.9.

It is common for men and women to try to accentuate the differences between them. For instance, women are generally less hairy than men, so go to a lot of trouble to make sure that they are even less so. They also have softer skin than men and there is a huge industry devoted to selling women’s products that will soften the skin and protect it from becoming weather beaten and therefore more ‘masculine’.

Interestingly, sexual attractiveness and the concept of beauty are not necessarily the same thing. Attractiveness for a woman usually means that she looks healthy and is of a fertile age. When a man says a woman is attractive and ‘sexy’ he is observing the signs of possible fertility. Every ‘Miss World’ who has ever won the contest has had the waist-to-hip ratio of 0.7. Research has shown that women who have this ratio are more fertile than those that don’t.

When a woman finds a young man attractive she is often seeing the signs caused by testosterone, the hormone that makes a man masculine (and more fertile). If she finds an older man attractive, she is (possibly subconsciously) seeing a man who may be able to provide for her and any children she might have.

Detailed and accurate measurements of facial features and angles have tried to add a more scientific element to the concept of beauty. When these measurements are analysed and applied to different ethnic groups, those considered to be good looking or beautiful comply with universal scientific concepts of beauty. Thus, in the main, a particular ethnic beauty will still be considered attractive by the majority of any other ethnic group.

Many studies have stressed the importance of facial symmetry. No human face is exactly symmetrical, but marked asymmetry – beyond what is considered normal – is not usually considered to be beautiful. This is probably because of the association of good symmetry with good health.

Asymmetry is sometimes caused by sleeping on one side more than the other. Most people prefer to sleep on one particular side, a pattern that is established early in life. Babies tend to sleep a lot and grow while they are asleep; the side that is on the pillow doesn’t grow as much as the uppermost side. This means that, when an adult has one side of their face that is smaller than the other, it is possible to guess on which side they prefer to sleep.

At the same time it must be stressed that although facial appearance is a very important parameter when considering the concept of beauty, other bodily features are also important. These will include height, shape, amount of fat distribution on the body, breast size and shape, skin quality and so forth. A man or woman may not be particularly facially attractive but have a near perfect figure, and vice versa.

Of course, you have to add a person’s personality, or ‘inner beauty’ into the equation. Plenty of beautiful people get married, only to separate soon after. Physical attractiveness does not necessarily guarantee a long-term relationship, and in some ways can even detract from it.

Whatever may be analysed by philosophers and experts regarding the concept of beauty – and much has been said and written on the subject - the truth remains that many people are never satisfied with what Nature gave them in terms of their physical appearance.