According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the use of Botox and other cosmetic neuromodulators has surged by 819% since the year 2000.
America has a sordid history with plastic and cosmetic surgery. In the past few decades, the controversial operations have become much more commonplace — and much less like the Pamela Anderson’s and Dolly Parton’s of years before. Despite the fact that breast implants and liposuction are more popular than ever before, body positivity is at the center of this movement.
“We talk a lot about being health conscious, but the truth is we’re also increasingly appearance conscious,” says Steven Teitelbaum, a plastic surgeon in Los Angeles. “The stigma of plastic surgery is going down, the procedures themselves are getting better, and the economy is very strong right now.”
The ideal candidates for liposuction are men and women above the age of 18, who are within 10 to 20 pounds of their target weight. In modern times, those candidates now possess a disposable income and a desire to do what makes them happy regardless of what anyone else thinks. Considering bodily ailments like acne plague roughly 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24, the ability to do what makes you happy with your body is an important concept.
In terms of breast implants, the age of extreme plastic surgeries seems to have passed. Though the most popular sizes continue to exist in the 300- to 450-cc range, which take most patients up approximately two to three cup sizes, people care about looking natural rather than looking large. Advances in technology have permitted the U.S. to start using anatomical implants; now, shape and proportion are key players in breast augmentation consultations. One doctor even remarked on his surprise when he started receiving requests for Kate Hudson’s diminutive breasts, suggesting that they “[represent] a paradigm shift in the way we’re approaching augmentation.”
Although cosmetic surgeries are making leaps and bounds both socially- and technologically-speaking, discounted services still provide serious risk to men and women of all ages. Miami has recently become known for plastic surgery, but not in a positive light: in the past six years, eight women have died from complications after their cheap cosmetic surgeries.
The likelihood of injury or death from complications is extremely low when performed by a licensed medical professional, but many discount plastic surgery establishments don’t meet industry standards. If you’re going to pursue cosmetic surgery, more power to you! Just make sure to do your research and vet your doctor before heading over for a consultation.
