MIAMI, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — A nip here and a tuck there. Plastic surgery techniques have never been better at turning back the clock. But many of those procedures are expensive. More than 13 billion dollars was spent on cosmetic procedures last year alone. Now doctors are seeing some disturbing trends as more people look to cut corners with sometimes dangerous results.
Tracie Samara’s nightmare innocently started eleven years ago.
“At 44, I wanted to get back into modeling.” Samara started.
An ad in the paper about a contest that offered free non-invasive facial rejuvenation and Samara jumped at it.
“It took me a while to realize something very wrong was going on.” Samara continued.
She says she was bruised, swollen and nearly blinded by the injection around her eyes. A facial plastic surgeon says Samara’s story is all too common.
Cosmetic Ophthalmic and Facial Plastic Surgeon John J. Martin, JR., MD, said “We’re certainly seeing a lot of things that people are injecting or putting into themselves that are not legal and should not be put into your body.”
Doctor Martin says these “do-it-yourself” videos on YouTube are a disturbing trend.
“They watch a video and it makes it look pretty easy, you just put a little injection in here. How hard could that be?” Dr. Martin explained.
But experts warn permanent disfigurement is a real possibility.
“So they saved money by doing it themselves and now they’re going to have to pay so much more to try and take care of it.” Dr. Martin shared.
Samara had no idea what she had injected into her face.
“You can ask them what are you using? It should come in a box; it should have the name of the product on it.” Dr. Martin advised.
After trying to remove the illegal filler along with radio frequency treatments to create new collagen, Samara finally has hope.
“I’m starting to come back, and I hope I come back even stronger.” Samara shared with Ivanhoe.
Samara hopes her story will help warn others. Dr. Martin says when it comes to plastic surgery or fillers do your homework. Choose a board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist.
Contributors to this news report include: Janna Ross, Producer; Roque Correa, Editor; Judy Reich, Videographer.
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DIY PLASTIC SURGERY: THINK AGAIN!
REPORT #2456
BACKGROUND: The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has released new data that shows continued growth in cosmetic procedures over the past few years. The types of procedures patients have chosen have shifted since the start of the new millennium. In 2015, the number of surgical or minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures performed in the United States was 15.9 million, a 2 percent increase over 2014. ASPS President, David Song, MD, MBA, FACS, states, “while more traditional facial procedures and breast augmentations are still among the most popular, we’re seeing much more diversity in the areas of the body patients are choosing to address.” It’s important to know why you want cosmetic surgery and whether you’re likely to get the results you want. Some things to consider are: what is your motivation and are you doing it for yourself or someone else; what do you want to change and why; how long have you wanted to do this; and, does your surgeon agree that your goals are reasonable. The decision is personal and the key is to set realistic expectations. (Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160225181636.htm and http://www.webmd.com/beauty/choosing-cosmetic-surgery)
SURGERY AND SOCIAL MEDIA: Year after year, the number of requests for plastic surgery is increasing and one of the primary reasons may be the growth of social media. Social media has dramatically increased self-awareness which translates into more people seeking to improve their appearance. Smartphone apps are another new wave of technology that is having an impact on plastic surgery trends. These apps can be used to alter images to create a different appearance. They can even be as simple as a filter that changes the shading on an image, or applies artificial makeup and removes wrinkles. Health insurance does not typically cover cosmetic surgery which can come with a hefty price tag. However, more and more people are going through with cosmetic procedures. There are also additional costs to take into consideration like anesthesia and operating room facilities.
(Source: http://bevhills.com/social-medias-influence-on-plastic-surgery/ and http://www.webmd.com/beauty/financing-your-cosmetic-surgery
TRENDS: For the sake of saving a few bucks, at-home injectables and fillers have led to numerous injuries and hospitalizations due to patients bypassing doctors. Paired with extensive information that is available on the internet, the idea of “do-it-yourself” has lured many consumers to order questionable goods online. Teens in Asia are even turning to fads with new devices which claim to slim noses, give instant facelifts, and improve smiles. This concerns cosmetic surgeons that such products can harm natural development in adolescents who are barely in their teens. Dr. Hong Jung Gon, of the Metro Plastic Surgery Clinic in Seoul, recently revealed that, “…his clinic has occasionally treated teenagers who’ve inflicted damage on themselves by using the face-shaping gadgets”. Many users of these devices have experienced bruising and pain. So, while some things are definitely worth doing yourself, most if not all plastic surgery should be performed by professionals.
(Source: https://americanhealthandbeauty.com/articles/4482/diy-plastic-surgery-to-do-at-home and http://www.thedailybeast.com/diy-plastic-surgery-can-you-change-your-face-without-going-under-the-knife)
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