Over the past few decades, we’ve witnessed a dramatic evolution within the field of cosmetic surgery, and today, a range of innovative and effective treatments we could have previously only dreamed of are available to address a range of body issues and concerns.
According to the Centre for Surgery – a leading provider of plastic surgery in London, the effects of the global pandemic have seen a dramatic increase in the number of people seeking out nips, tucks and tweaks, with the stresses and strains of the past two years having well and truly taken their toll. As the quest for looking our best intensifies, spurred on by unrealistic social media filters that have us all feeling like we could do with a little boost, bookings have surged.
From breast lift and enlargement to tummy tucks and brow lifts, there’s seemingly no problem that modern plastic surgery can’t fix. Here, we take a look at some of the most popular treatments we’ll be seeking out in 2022.
Brazilian buttlift
Thanks to the ‘Kardashian Effect’, we’ve seen a huge trend for larger, rounder derrieres dominating in recent years, but not everyone is naturally blessed with the hourglass shape. Enter, the Brazilian buttlift, which despite the associated risks, has been one of the most popular treatments women have been choosing to undergo of late.
A surgical procedure that involves taking fat from other parts of the body and placing it into the buttocks, the Brazilian buttlift technique has been around for decades, but recent advancements have improved its safety and effectiveness. The way in which surgeons perform this surgery, too, has changed for the better, which means more of us are opening our minds to the idea of having it done.
Of late, surgeons have begun to favour a rate-controlled liposuction technique called Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL) as part of the Brazilian buttlift procedure. This involves a special cannula that vibrates to break up fat cells before they are removed from the body, and allows surgeons to remove larger amounts of fat with smaller incisions, meaning patients can typically go home sooner after surgery and enjoy shorter recovery times, with less pain and bruising compared to older techniques.
Body contouring
Body contouring refers to more than just a single type of procedure – rather, it is an umbrella term for several different types of cosmetic surgery and non-surgical treatments that all focus on transforming the appearance and shape of the body. The procedures can be used to remove excess skin and fat or add shape to various areas of the body.
Common procedures include breast augmentation, breast lifts, liposuction, tummy tucks, buttock implants and enhancement, body lifts, and calf implants. Also increasingly popular are “mommy makeovers” – packages of procedures designed to get women’s bodies back into their prior shape after going through pregnancy and childbirth.
While body contouring is undoubtedly one of the biggest trends of this decade, surgeons from around the world are doing their best to convince people not to undergo procedures they don’t deem to be necessary. From offering counselling sessions with licensed psychologists to educating people about the potential risks and downsides of going under the knife, we’re seeing a crack down on procedures that surgeons feel will do little to help the individual in the long-run – for example, if they have already undergone multiple surgeries and are suffering from poor body image or dysmorphia.
Of course, these cases aside, surgeons are still advocating body contouring for those they truly believe they can help. Weight loss surgery, in particular, is something they are often in support of because of its ability to help improve patient health in cases where obesity is a factor.
A 2020 study concluded that body contouring improves Quality of Life (QOL) and Physical Activity (PA) in patients after massive weight loss. For this reason, ethical surgeons are still accepting patients who are in dire need of body contouring even though the number of surgeries being performed has plummeted.
Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty, or as it’s more commonly referred to, a ‘nose job’, remains the most popular plastic surgery procedure for both men and women and is often used to remove bumps and reshape uneven noses, as well as making them smaller or larger, so that they better complement a subject’s features. They can also alter the angle between the nose and the upper lip; change the size of the nostrils, and just about anything else you could think of – so it’s easy to see why those who dislike their noses, have broken them in the past, or are dealing with asymmetry, continue to turn to them.
For many, a rhinoplasty can help them to feel better about their appearance, increase confidence, and improve overall quality of life. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the rhinoplasty is not merely a cosmetic procedure and can repair nasal deformities caused by injury or birth defects, as well as improving breathing and sleep apnea – so it’s not just about the overall look.
Rhinoplasty is among the most popular cosmetic surgeries in London and one of the reasons for this could be the fact that it caters to a wider age range than many other procedures do. Anyone above 15 years of age can opt for rhinoplasty, whereas the patient is legally required to be 18+ for most of the other surgeries – and when you consider that people of all ages may have problems and issues related to their noses, it’s easy to see why the number of patients in this area continues to soar.
Skin tightening
As we age, our skin loses its elasticity and starts to sag on both the face and body, causing us to look older than we really are. Given the growing number of people opting to go under the knife or have injectable fillers, it’s only natural that skin smoothing and tightening is on their agendas, too. And a skin tightening procedure is a hot favourite among women who are looking for a natural way to refresh their appearance, without invasive surgery or downtime.
The treatment uses radiofrequency (RF) or ultrasound technology to boost collagen production in the skin and heat up the deep layers of the skin, causing it to contract and tighten over time. This helps to reduce wrinkles and improve skin tone and texture, creating the youthful and more radiant look many of us crave.
The best part? If you are wary of injections, there’s also a non-invasive version of ulthera treatment called Ultherapy, which uses ultrasound technology to help tighten skin without inducing scars on your body.
Liposuction
No list is complete without the inclusion of liposuction, as it is still an immensely popular procedure for reshaping the body and removing the kind of stubborn fat that dieting and exercise just can’t seem to tackle. Liposuction can be used to get rid of fat from all over the body, including the abdomen, hips, back, thighs, knees, arms and neck – and the results are permanent, as long as patients maintain their weight.
Contrary to popular misconception, liposuction is not intended as a weight-loss solution or alternative to exercising or dieting. Instead, it is an approach to addressing specific body concerns that cannot be corrected by non-surgical solutions.
Although liposuction is extremely accessible, it is only recommended to those who genuinely need it.
