Recent years have seen an increasing number of people undergoing cosmetic surgery. The surge in popularity has coincided with the growing use of social media platforms such as Instagram, and perhaps there is a link there. But people in general have always tried to look their best because physical attractiveness is linked to self-esteem. Looking good makes people feel good too.
An alternative explanation for the growth of people having cosmetic surgery is that there are many more procedures now on offer, and some of them cost substantially less than other procedures have historically. However, the history of cosmetic surgery has led to a number of misconceptions entering the public consciousness which are not relevant to the field today.
This article will explore some of the most widespread and persistent myths about cosmetic procedures and explain the truth as it is now.
- Cosmetic and plastic surgery are the same thing: It is easy to see how this myth came about. Some plastic surgery procedures are cosmetic, meaning that they enhance the aesthetic qualities of the patient’s face or body, and many plastic surgeons offer cosmetic procedures at their clinics. They also use a lot of the same tools and techniques.
However, plastic surgery is often primarily reconstructive rather than cosmetic. This means that its main goal is to restore the normal appearance and function of the patient’s body. Also, there are many cosmetic procedures which do not involve plastic surgery. Botox, microneedling, and many other treatments which improve the skin and face are minimally invasive, and some can even be carried out by qualified professionals who are not surgeons.
- Cosmetic surgeons are board-certified surgeons: This dangerous myth relates to that last point. Since some cosmetic procedures are not really surgeries, those who perform them do not need to be certified surgeons. This can be okay, so long as they stick to those procedures.
If you opt for plastic surgery, then make sure you choose a qualified, reputable surgeon. Their qualifications are usually easy to find. For example, if you visit Dr John Flood or his website, you can see that he qualified in Sydney and is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
- It totally changes your appearance: While cosmetic surgery, and plastic surgery in particular, can make a more drastic improvement to somebody’s appearance than over-the-counter skin care products, it is not meant to completely change anyone’s appearance.
The idea is to enhance people’s best features and remove flaws or things that people dislike where possible, so that they can be a more confident version of themselves. This is similar to the way people might try to liven up dull skin at home, only the results of cosmetic procedures tend to be more visible and longer lasting.
Plenty of other myths abound about cosmetic surgeries, but these are probably the three most prevalent. Knowing the truth about them can help you make an informed choice about whether plastic surgery or another type of cosmetic surgery or procedure is right for you.
Image by Наталья Данильченко from Pixabay
