The Latest Innovations in Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgeons and doctors are always coming up with ever more subtle ways for women and men to enhance what nature gave them – or get rid of it completely in some cases. Obviously, with a basic design that’s been around for millennia, there’s only so much even an experienced surgeon can do to a body.

Most innovations in cosmetic surgery come from existing procedures that have been tweaked or adapted to suit the latest cosmetic surgery trends or cultural ideas.

How Many People Have Cosmetic Surgery?

According to Mintel, it’s estimated that around 19 million adults, a staggering 48 per cent of us, would have cosmetic surgery of some sort if they could. The market for this type of treatment grew by 17 per cent between 2008 and 2010, despite an economic downturn, so there’s no sign of cosmetic surgery going out of fashion any time soon. Most cosmetic procedures in the UK are non-surgical, which includes procedures such as Botox, Dermal Filler, or Micro-dermabrasion and chemical peels.

The Wonders of Botox

One of the most popular and best known cosmetic procedures is Botox, and although the procedure has its detractors, recent innovations mean that the treatment is adapting and even providing surprising new benefits. If you’re a migraine sufferer, it might surprise you to know that a shot of Botox might help you with the misery of the condition. The journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery recently published a study which found that 60 per cent (from a total of 69 patients) of migraine sufferers said that their headaches had improved after being treated with Botox. Although the study was small, it’s also worth noting that 29 per cent of the people who took part said they had got rid of their migraines completely following Botox.

Baby Botox and Fluid Facelifts

The British Association of Cosmetic Doctors are predicting an increase in popularity of innovative new treatments such as ‘the fluid facelift’ – a combination of muscle relaxing injections and dermal fillers - and ‘Baby Botox’ to get a more subtle effect from their cosmetic surgery. These kinds of procedures need less recovery time and are less invasive than a full surgical procedure. It also leads to less potential scarring.

Butt Implants

Butt Implants are a controversial subject, with news stories about women travelling abroad for this kind of cosmetic surgery and becoming ill, or even dying as a result of substandard surgery.

Buttock implants are available in the UK but it’s not as popular here yet as in the US and especially South America where a curvaceous, rounded bottom is prized in the same way as pert breasts are in Britain. The implants are harder and more solid than breast implants, as they have to be able to withstand the weight of being sat on. The procedure can take around six weeks to recover, and can lead to soreness and hardness – which isn’t ideal for a bottom...

Improved Liposuction.

Liposuction isn’t a new procedure, but recent innovations mean that it’s safer and less invasive. More modern and higher powered suction devices are being used, which work wonders on legs and love handles. The extra power in the new devices leads to less bruising and is also said to be suitable for anyone who’s having their second or third liposuction procedure too.

Some cosmetic surgeons are also turning to three-dimensional imaging to help them perform cosmetic surgery procedures. The imaging helps them to get a sense of thickness or depth when carrying out the procedures, making it safer for patients.

Man-Breasts

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons has revealed that there has been a particular growth in interest in cosmetic surgery from men. A survey of BAAPS members showed that there had been a seven per cent increase in male surgery overall, and that the most popular surgery was rhinoplasty (nasal surgery). Figures from the private BMI healthcare group showed that as part of an overall increase in cosmetic procedures in their hospitals, the largest growth in requests came from men who wanted to get rid of their man-breasts, colloquially referred to as 'moobs'. This type of cosmetic procedure shot up by a staggering 211 per cent.