Source: thewest.com.au
Natural plastic surgery may sound like an oxymoron but if current trends are anything to go by, it is the way cosmetic medicine is heading.
Today’s clients still want the lifts, nips and tucks, but in a much more natural way, with non-surgical and non-invasive the key buzzwords.
While “tweakments” — subtle treatments with little downtime — are one of the biggest beauty trends of 2019, those wanting more dramatic work still prefer to go about it in a less invasive way.
Take nose jobs, for example. Traditionally these required surgery that could take anywhere from one to a few hours to perform with a recovery time of between two and three weeks.
But now, according to Absolute Cosmetic Medicine, clients are turning to non-surgical rhinoplasty, with the “liquid nose job” the most sought-after procedure.
“Previously it was very niche, now we are performing multiple per week,” medical director Dr Glenn Murray says. “It has also grown in popularity due to selfies, people are much more critical of their appearance.”
MIRA Clinic medical director Dr Andrew Clark says platforms like Instagram are responsible for its rise in popularity. “The most common reasons my clients request liquid nose jobs are to disguise a hump on the back of the nose, to lift a dropped nose tip or to lift a flat nose bridge.”
However, Dr Murray warns prospective clients researching the procedure to beware of filtered photos on social media that make the nose look smaller, as this is impossible.
The procedure should only be performed by experienced cosmetic practitioners. Dr Clark says there have been reports of serious complications, including partial blindness.
Breast enlargement procedures are also shifting towards a more natural alternative, with fat transfer to breasts another emerging trend, while jawline sculpting is also popular among both male and female patients.
Non-surgical eye-lifts are also an option. “This is a relatively new treatment in Australia,” Dr Murray says. “It is popular due to the eyes being one of the first areas to age but many people do not want a surgical procedure in their younger years.”
Finally, women as young as 20 are booking in for skin boosters or micro filler to create an air-brushed look.
“When you apply your skin care products to the skin every day and every night, most of it sits on the surface of the skin,” Dr Clark explains. “With the micro filler treatment, we are getting the best quality moisturiser — full of highly purified peptides, vitamins and minerals necessary for collagen growth — and we are injecting it into the skin … but it doesn’t change the shape of your face so clients don’t need to risk looking like they have had ‘work’ done.”
Five of the most popular cosmetic treatments
- Non-surgical rhinoplasty
Who is getting it: Mainly females between 18 and 35.
What it involves: Injecting dermal filler to the nose. It can be used to balance out lumps and bumps, build up the bridge of the nose, giving it a slimmer appearance, and lift the tip of the nose.
Cost: The cost depends on the filler and amount used but is usually between $599 and $699.
Risks: This is one of the most high risk areas to inject due to the number of veins and arteries. The most serious risks are skin necrosis or filler blindness. (These are risks with any dermal filler, even lips). Always ensure your injector is very experienced and has an advanced knowledge of facial anatomy.
Downtime: There is no traditional downtime as this is a lunch-time procedure, however you will experience swelling and may have some bruising for up to two weeks.
- Fat transfer to breasts
Who is getting it: Females of all ages.
What it involves: Removing fat from a close-by area (usually the stomach), processing the fat and reinjecting it into the breasts.
Cost: From $6600.
Risks: Initially there were concerns that the stem cells the fat contains could stimulate breast cancer. Most studies found this was not the case. Other risks include fat being injected into blood vessels, and standard risks with any invasive procedure including infection complications from sedation.
Downtime: About one week.
- Jawline sculpting
Who is getting it: Everyone! This is one of the most popular treatments for males as well as females.
What it involves: Some patients will get dermal filler to the jawline only. Some will get mid-face filler and jawline filler. When volume is lost in the mid face it can cause the face to sag and create jowls. If the jowls are small, mid-face filler (like cheeks) can lift them and then jawline filler creates a more structured jawline. Some patients have fat dissolving injections to reduce their double chin.
Cost: Usually at least 2ml of thick, longer lasting filler will be used which is from $1200.
Risks: Risks include filler blindness and skin necrosis. It is important when picking an injector that they know how to prevent and treat these complications if they occur, have an experienced doctor available in the same state and that they have an in date dissolving agent available. A clinic in Sydney had Australia’s first case of filler blindness last year as they did not have dissolving agent.
Downtime: No strict downtime however vigorous exercise should be avoided for 48 hours. You may also experience swelling and bruising for up to two weeks.
- Non-surgical blepharoplasty
Who is getting it: Females, mostly 35 plus.
What it involves: The Jett Plasma eye-lift is a high voltage, low current skin tightening medical device. Results are achieved with a ‘spark’ that generates heat, creating contraction and tightening of the skin’s fibres.
Cost: From $899.
Risks: The risks are similar to any treatment that disrupts skin integrity, like laser or needling. There is a risk of hyper or hypo pigmentation, and infection or scarring of the eyelid but with proper after-care and precautions these are minimal.
Downtime: 7-10 days. Eyelids will be swollen for 4-5 days plus scabbing that naturally falls off from day six.
- Skin boosters
Who is getting it: Females from 20 upwards.
What it involves: Made from hyaluronic acid, micro droplets of compound are injected into skin very superficially. The filler holds on to moisture and moisturises skin from the inside out.
Cost: 3ml are usually recommended for the first treatment for $1500, or $599 for 1ml.
Risks: The same risks as dermal filler to the jaw.
Downtime: Swelling for up to one week.