The changing faces of cosmetic surgery

cosmetic surgery

Cosmetic procedures, in all their variations, have been with us for decades.  Whether we like it or not, the desire to change one, or many aspects of our appearance is more popular than ever.  From top to toe, if there is something we don’t like the look of, we can fix it.  But how do we decide what is or isn’t acceptable?  Is it purely down to our own self-image, or are we guided more and more by external forces?  We have become increasingly reliant on the images all around us for guidance on what is aesthetically pleasing.  The rise in popularity of reality TV, Instagram and Snap Happy Chatters has propelled the world of cosmetic procedures to another level.  We are more aware than ever of how our appearance influences other people’s perception of us.  In fact, the ‘Influencer’ is now considered a job in its own right.  People make a living trying to convince you to follow their lead, whether it be clothes, music or the shape of their nose!  Everything is changeable these days, and the popularity of different procedures is subject to the same patterns and trends as the latest running shoes or handbag.  

So, what has changed?

What was ‘on trend’ a few years ago might be considered crass and outdated now.  That’s all well and good if you can just pop out and buy a new handbag, but what if your breast size is no longer in fashion, or your lips are the wrong shape?  And what drives these changing opinions?  Moreover, how do you keep up to date with the changing fashions of your face and body?

Go back 25-30 years, and the name Pamela Anderson was known worldwide, as much for her breast size, as her TV roles.  Women had taken control of their own bodies and how they were perceived.  They oversaw how they looked, they had more earning power, and they wanted the world to know.  The demand for breasts that were obviously enhanced, overly large and perched higher on the chest was rising rapidly.  Women were owning their bodies and showing that they were in control and that they could afford the procedure.  Reality stars hopped onto the bandwagon and the popularity of very obviously, surgically enhanced breasts continued to rise. 

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 As with all trends, the desire for change becomes inevitable, and cosmetic procedures follow the same pattern.   We only need to look at the rise in brow bars, offering a staggering range of treatments, to see how easily we are convinced that we NEED these enhancements.  We micromanage our facial features like never before, so we scrutinise and analyse every aspect to make sure we fit the current blueprint of what is acceptable.  If we find ourselves to be lacking in any area, we do something about it, and no-one bats a ‘Botoxed’ eyelid.

The impact of lockdown

One area of influence that none of us could have anticipated was the unwelcome arrival of the global lockdowns.  We found ourselves with more time on our hands, more time to think and more time to self-reflect.  Without the distractions of everyday life, we had time to consider our features and flaws in more detail, even if we couldn’t immediately do anything about them!  

Then there were the online meetings, lectures, and family catch ups to contend with.  This form of communicating became the norm, and people who may never have ventured down this route became experts at the ‘zoom’ call.    But how is this relevant to cosmetic procedures?  How does it influence the rise in popularity of certain treatments?   

The simple fact that we were forced to see ourselves on screen during these calls was enough to instigate a rise in both surgical and non-surgical procedures.  Retail therapy wasn’t an option, and we were spending less of our disposable income as a result, so planning cosmetic treatments was more accessible to the masses.  Following lockdown, when clinics could resume performing surgery and treatments, patient volume was reduced, but surprisingly the number of procedures carried out increased.  With time to consider the options, plan the treatments and save money, patients were going all out with multiple procedures over a short period of time. Rather than take baby steps into the cosmetic surgery world they were leaping into it in an ‘all or nothing’ frame of mind. 

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Natural or not?

Breast implant procedures remain the most requested treatment at most clinics, but the particular type of request is different from what was popular a few years ago.  Clients, in the main, are opting for a more natural look and feel to their breast implants.  They want to enhance what they have and keep it in proportion with their frame and physique.  One of the best ways to achieve this look is to opt for silicone gel implants, like the one’s produced by Johnson and Johnson, called ‘Mentor.’  They have the feel of genuine breast tissue, and the result is a more natural enhancement of the breasts.  Of course, there are still patients who are looking for more extreme results, and these can be catered for just as well, but there is a definite trend of moving towards a more natural appearance.  Enhance Medical Group, with clinics around the UK, feel strongly that the Mentor implants offer the very best in shape, size and texture.  The options are many and varied, and you will be guided by specialists to make sure you achieve the particular look, and feel, that you want.  

You decide

It’s interesting to follow the trends in cosmetic procedures, but just as interesting to see how commonplace they have become in recent times.  With less of a stigma attached and no shortage of willing cheerleaders to sing its praises, cosmetic surgery seems only one step further than make-up and hair styling.  We have normalised cosmetic procedures and made them more accessible than ever.  It’s really all about having options, and we are spoilt for choice these days.  A great place to start is to contact reputable clinic, ask questions and see if it’s something you want to take further.  There’s really nothing to lose.