A March 28 article on Allure discusses new data from ASAPS (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) showing that, despite the increasing popularity of injectables and other non-surgical treatments, actual plastic surgery still accounts for 77 percent of all aesthetic procedures. Among the facts mentioned, it appears that Botox has not diluted the popularity of traditional facelifts. In fact, United States procedures rose by nearly 22 percent in 2017. We agree with Allure that one very important reason for the ongoing popularity of plastic surgeries in the face of the newer alternatives is that their impacts typically last far longer. In some cases, such as rhinoplasty (nose jobs), a surgery’s impact can last as long as the patient.

Botox, for example, is a powerful temporary antidote to wrinkling – some believe it may even help prevent it – and facial fillers such as Juvederm can do a great deal to improve someone’s appearance. However, for the impact to last more than a matter of months, injectable treatments need to be repeated on a regular basis. That’s why a great many patients still opt for a face lift to deal with wrinkling and sagging. 

Moreover, there are other plastic surgeries that simply can’t be treated in any other way. ASAPS stated that eyelid lifts, known medically as blepharoplasty, can deal with sagging and dark circles far more powerfully than such currently available cosmetic fixes as make-up, cucumbers, and Preparation H. Of course, blepharoplasty can also be used to alter the shape of the eye. Of course, this type of surgery is not always strictly a cosmetic matter. Sagging eyelids can actually obstruct clear vision and blepharoplasty may, on occasion, be covered by medical insurance when that is the case.

For procedures impacting the body, of course, the only nonsurgical options are proper diet and exercise and special lingerie such as push-up bras and girdles. While both tactics are obviously tried and true, they are also limited. Lingerie, of course, only works while you’re wearing it; even diet and exercise has several limitations. Procedures such as breast lifts, liposuction, and tummy tucks can make a truly dramatic difference that will probably never be fixable with anything that comes out of a syringe.