4 minute read
Dispelling 5 Myths about Plastic Surgery
Words by Leslie Kim, MD (Double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center) / Illustration by Megan Smith / Layout by Tori Smith
Myth 1: Skin care needs to be expensive.
Our skin is the largest organ of our body and one of the best reflections of our overall health and appearance. Visible signs of aging in facial skin include rough skin texture, uneven pigmentation, brown spots, fine and deep wrinkles, inelasticity, and poor skin tone.
While there is a plethora of products out there, here is a secret: effective skin care is simple and does not need to be expensive! The basic framework that benefits most adults is three steps in the morning for daytime protection and three in the evening for regenerative repair. Additional products and procedures can be added to fit your specific skin needs after a discussion with your provider.
AM Daytime Protection:
Cleanser
Antioxidant
Sunscreen
PM Regenerative Repair
Cleanser
Retinoid
Moisturizer
Cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreen don't need to break the bank; use gentle, non-comedogenic products available at the drugstore. The only investments truly worthwhile are your medically "active" ingredients, such as antioxidants (like 10-15% vitamin C) and retinoids (like tretinoin).
Myth 2: One you start botox/filler, you can't stop.
Botox and dermal fillers are popular non-surgical cosmetic treatments. It is important to differentiate between them because they are commonly confused.
Botox (botulinum toxin) is a neurotoxin that temporarily blocks muscle contractions. It is commonly used to smoothen dynamic wrinkles, or wrinkles that result from repeated facial expressions such as “11” lines, forehead lines, and crow's feet. The effects of Botox typically last 3-4 months. If you stop getting Botox, the dynamic wrinkles will simply return over time.
Dermal fillers are substances injected underneath the skin to restore volume and fill in deeper wrinkles, such as the nasolabial folds (smile lines) and the marionette lines. The most common fillers contain hyaluronic acid, a natural substance in the body. Fillers can last several months to years, depending on the individual and specific fillers used. As the body breaks down filler and the aging process continues, it is not uncommon for patients to miss the results of the filler and desire treatment again.
Unnatural results can sometimes result when dermal fillers are used to chase outcomes that are only attainable with surgery. It is important to seek the care of an expert injector who understands the limits of these non-surgical treatments, as less is often more.
Myth 3: The nose grows with age.
Contrary to popular belief, the nose does not grow larger with age. However, it can certainly appear that it is growing or changing due to anatomic changes that occur with aging. Due to a loss of skin elasticity and weakening of the nasal cartilages, the tip of the nose can droop more and appear longer over time. As we age, a gradual loss of facial fat can also make the nose appear more prominent and seemingly larger.
While rhinoplasty (surgery to change the shape of the nose) is most commonly performed for patients in their 20s-30s, it can also be performed in older patients seeking facial rejuvenation procedures such as facelift and necklift, who are bothered by these aging changes in the nasal appearance.
Myth 4: Results from plastic surgery are immediate.
In general, it takes one year or longer to heal after plastic surgery. While some of the results are noticeable and enjoyable even immediately after surgery, bruising often takes 2-3 weeks to resolve fully, and swelling can sometimes worsen before starting to settle. The majority of healing occurs in the first several months post-op. Still, this early period can be a physical, mental, and emotional rollercoaster for even the healthiest patients.
Working with your board-certified plastic surgeon to optimize your physical, mental, and emotional well-being for the most successful perioperative journey is important. Preexisting untreated mood disorders can become exacerbated during the postoperative period, so pre-surgery counseling and treatment are highly recommended.
Myth 5: Plastic surgery is vain.
Plastic surgery encompasses aesthetic as well as reconstructive procedures. For both, I have heard many patients in consultation say, “I can't believe I'm being this vain.”
The definition of vain is "having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth." So, in reality, it is precisely the opposite of vanity that brings someone in to see a plastic surgeon. We should not feel ashamed by pursuing options to restore, repair, and/or enhance our appearance and function- as long as it's based on a healthy mindset, as above.
We get our hair done, put on makeup, and wear clothes to portray the best versions of ourselves to the world. Plastic surgery is simply on that continuum of choices we can make to put our best faces forward!
