There was a time when few people would openly admit that they had undergone or were considering a cosmetic procedure. Even some celebrities prefer to keep quiet about procedures they have had in fear of being judged by the public, as well as friends and associates. However, those fears are beginning to change, according to a new study.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) has just released results of a consumer survey about current attitudes and the perceptions surrounding cosmetic surgery. The focus of the survey was on how “accepted” it is in the mainstream to have had work done.

The results aren’t too surprising: 71 percent of respondents think society is now less judgmental about plastic surgery than it was even five years ago. 62 percent of those surveyed feel that this less judgmental outlook has made them personally more comfortable when thinking about getting a procedure.

Dr. Mark Berman, AACS President-Elect, says the data only confirms what many patients and plastic surgeons have felt for a long time – that cosmetic surgery has become mainstream.

“A variety of factors have contributed to the normalization of our industry, but the bottom line is that people are not afraid to talk openly about cosmetic surgery anymore,” he said in a press statement.

The most accepted surgical procedures were breast augmentation, face lifts, and tummy tucks while the most accepted non surgical procedures were Botox and laser hair removal.

Younger respondents embraced the notion of a nip and tuck more so than their older counterparts, with twice as many people under age 40 saying they would consider a procedure in the future than those over age 40. And, although the overall consensus is that cosmetic surgery is more acceptable, only 52 percent of survey respondents said they would tell family if they were going under the knife.

The latest surgery that have I made was about 7 to 8 months ago in one of the Afghan hospitals “Cure International”. However, this surgery has made my scar look thicker and bigger in size/shape. It might be cause of the reaction of usage (silk/nechrom) in the operation. We can refer also the reasons to a poor surgeon or it can be due the lowest equipment facilities at relevant hospital, although its clear we don’t have the latest technology in our hospitals for such treatment throughout Afghanistan…

I have attached the recent scar photo as well as the scar after the first surgery that I took in late 2007.

For your more information, we have been invited to participate on a Biosafety/Biosecurity event at Dubai and my flight has been confirmed from Jan 11 till mid Jan 2010, so I will be there available to discuss this with you from 11 Jan 09.

Your thoughts and guidance in relation to the best treatment for my face lift scar are highly appreciated before my arrival,

Thank you!

A new and improved facial filler has hit the market – boasting a low price and the distinction of being the first one approved by the government to mix lidocaine and hyaluronic acid.

The combination brings the promise of a facelift that is more affordable and comfortable for its patients.

The product is called Hydrelle, a product from Anika Therapeutics, based in Massachusetts.

It is a dermal filler that has lidocaine, an anesthetic, mixed in during manufacturing. This sets it apart from other fillers that require pre-injection mixing. Similar to Juvederm and Restylane, the results of Hydrelle last roughly a year.

But according to its promotional literature, Hydrelle not only costs less than those products, but produces the same results with half the amount. It has been designed to correct folds and wrinkles of all sizes through only 50 percent of the injection volumes required by other fillers.

Hydrelle has received the blessing of the Food and Drug Administration after successful testing on more than 200 patients. Clinical studies have shown that negative side effects were no more than moderate in nature and usually disappeared within a week.

An upcoming beauty pageant in Hungary has been designed to break new ground by changing local views about plastic surgery.

The Miss Plastic Hungary 2009 pageant is open to women ages 18 to 30 who have undergone at least one cosmetic procedure that involves general or local anesthesia.

Officials say the contest may help the region turn a cultural corner. In years past, cosmetic surgery was out of favor in Hungary. Critics had complained that women who have plastic surgery tend to get results that look fake rather than naturally beautiful.

But pageant officials say the contest will demonstrate how Hungarian cosmetic surgery techniques have advanced in the past decade – providing a viable and affordable way for women to look naturally beautiful and improve their self-image.

The price of plastic surgery in Hungary has also become quite alluring through the years. A face lift in this region costs less than half the price a woman might pay in the United Kingdom.

The pageant is open to any woman with a Hungarian residence, regardless of her nationality. The ceremony is set for October 9th, and so far, more than 100 women have signed up. But, there can only be three winners. According to the contest website, the crowned queen receives the key to her new apartment, the runner up drives away in a new car, and the second runner up will win a vacation for two to Kenya.

New legislation in the Philippines requires women who want any kind of cosmetic surgery to first get a pregnancy test.

The bill was authored in light of reports that cosmetic procedures have led to miscarriages among women who didn’t know they were pregnant, as well as reports indicating that some women who undergo surgery are hoping to induce an abortion.

The new policy requires all female plastic surgery patients to take a pregnancy test administered by the plastic surgeon or by another practitioner who can verify the results. The measure covers a wider surgical range than many would expect, but the emphasis is on procedures that require anesthesia, such as liposuction, breast augmentation, tummy tucks and buttock augmentation.

Women in the Philippines are now also required to test for pregnancy even if the cosmetic work is more minor, such as a facial chemical peel. According to the bill, a surgeon will be held criminally liable if he doesn’t make the patient aware of all the bodily risks associated with the cosmetic procedure.

Penalties for surgeons who violate the bill range from a reprimand upon the first offense to hefty fines and a 30-day suspension of the surgeon’s license. And if the doctor performs an operation that actually results in the death of an unborn child, he faces a higher fine, plus suspension of his license for a year or longer.

While a shaky economy has consumers thinking twice about spending, they aren’t willing to sacrifice looking their best.  And for some, that means putting off surgery or major procedures and focusing on the smaller, more budget friendly procedures like Botox, fat or collagen injections or skin resurfacing.

It’s true that spending on more expensive cosmetic procedures like tummy tucks and facelifts, is down. In fact, overall, spending on cosmetic procedures in the U.S. is down about 9% annually.

But the U.S. market is steady right now at about $9 billion, in part because spending on other cosmetic procedures is actually increasing.

For example, Botox injection sales rose 8% between 2007 and 2008. Other procedures that have seen an increase are laser treatments for spider veins in legs, skin resurfacing, and wrinkle filler injections.

Reportedly, some consumers see these less invasive, more affordable procedure as a quick fix until the economy picks up and they can invest in more permanent solutions.

More and more men and women are seeking medical procedures like facial rejuvenation to reduce the signs of aging and recapture their skin’s youthful glow. But often, many undergo treatment without any amount of research or information on the expected results.  For anyone considering facial rejuvenation, the following article provides an overview of popular skin treatments available today.

Facial Rejuvenation: An Overview

Although more women traditionally undergo facial rejuvenation, treatment is available for anyone hoping to minimize the effects aging can have on our faces. In general, facial rejuvenation refers to a set of cosmetic and surgical procedures performed on the face to restore a more youthful appearance, such as by reducing the appearance of wrinkles or brightening skin tone.  Many facial rejuvenation procedures can involve both invasive and non-invasive skin treatments that can have temporary or long-lasting results.

Facial Rejuvenation Procedures
Current approaches to facial rejuvenation can involve a single type of treatment or a combination of both non-invasive invasive facial procedures. Popular treatments include:

• CosmoDerm / CosmoPlast
• Zyderm Zyplast
• Chemical Peel
• Dermabrasion
• Juvéderm
• Lip Augmentation
• BOTOX® Cosmetic
• Fat Injection

Most facial rejuvenation procedures are widely available to the public, but it is crucial for those seeking treatment to consult practitioners who have expertise in the field of skin rejuvenation. For the best results, you should consider plastic surgeons and dermatologists who are board certified and practiced in the field of cosmetic surgery.

Looking younger is not impossible with today’s technology and advanced medical approaches to facial rejuvenation. By arming yourself with the right information and resources, you will be on your way to recapturing that youthful glow.