High unemployment and austerity measures across Europe have not checked the continent’s sales in Botox and breast implants, according to a recent report in the Financial Times. This new report comes amidst recent statistics released by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, which indicate that Greece and Italy are among the top three countries in the world for cosmetic procedures in terms of percentage by population.

According to the Financial Times report, US pharmaceutical giant Allergan’s sales have been booming in the first three months of 2012. According to David Pyott, chief executive of Allergan, the company generated double-digit growth in sales of breast implants in Europe during those three months, compared with the same period last year. Botox sales on the continent have also been performing strongly.

“In southern Europe,” Pyott told the Times, “people spend a higher proportion of their income on appearance and lifestyle. They are happy to live in a modest apartment and look good facially and body-wise when they go out.”

The ISAPS statistics indicate that breast augmentation surgery (using saline or silicone breast implants) is the most popular cosmetic procedure in Greece. In Italy, Botox use is widespread, while liposuction is the most popular surgery. Greece and Italy occupy the second and third top spots in the ISAPS rankings; only South Korea ranks higher than the two Mediterranean nations.

Allergan’s revenues have risen nearly 10 per cent when compared to early 2011. The growing popularity of the company’s cosmetic products in Europe is a major factor in this growth. Much of the success of Allergan’s rest implant sales on the cotton can be explained by the recent Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) breast implant scandal, in which a French manufacturer was using industrial-grade silicone in its breast implants. The American company’s sterling reputation for safety resulted in more European doctors choosing its breast implants over those of regional competitors.

While Hollywood actors and actresses have made the US plastic surgery industry internationally famous, you may be surprised to learn that the United States doesn’t have the most cosmetic surgeries in terms of percentage of population. In fact, according to recent statistics released by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the US is #6. The figures reveal differences in cosmetic priorities and procedures across the top 7 countries.

1. South Korea has the most plastic surgeries per capita, with roughly one in five women from Seoul having undergone some type of cosmetic procedure. The most popular plastic surgeries in South Korea are liposuction, rhinoplasty, and eyelid surgery.

2. Greece came in second despite its economic woes. Breast augmentation surgery is the most popular plastic surgery in the country. In 2010, there were 592 penis enlargement procedures performed in Greece, which is ten times the average amount for other countries in the top seven.

3. Italy is a major user of Botox, which is the most popular procedure in the country, while liposuction is the most sought-after plastic surgery.

4. Brazil was a major market for liposuction and breast augmentation in 2010. Plastic surgery is considered perfectly normal in Brazil, where the government has offered tax deductions to elective plastic surgery.

5. Colombia has become a major cosmetic tourism hotspot, with liposuction being the most popular procedure. However, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) president Malcolm Z. Roth cautions Americans against travelling abroad for surgery. “There are absolutely safe procedures being done in other countries, but you have to be very careful,” Roth told ABC News. “If something goes wrong, a lot of things can go worse when you’re not in your own country with your own doctor.”

6. USA has experienced a rebound in demand for plastic surgery alongside the slow economic recovery. Liposuction and breast augmentation are the most popular procedures.

7. Taiwan is a major market for wrinkle-reducing procedures such as Botox.

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

Could breast implants impact your exercise routine? While most exercises are unaffected by breast implants, the increased size and projection of breasts after augmentation surgery can cause some changes in your balance and maneuverability.

Breast augmentation patients with an active lifestyle should discuss their options with their plastic surgeon, according to a recent article on the Digital Journal, which highlights some of the ways that breast augmentation can affect exercise routines. Some women may wish to receive small or moderate-sized implants in order to easily maintain their active lifestyle.

Women who run or jog will usually notice that breast implants can cause a shift in their center of balance due to increased weight in the chest. While this doesn’t prevent running activities, it may take a little while to adapt.

Swimmers may notice that breast implants can cause changes in buoyancy and balance in the water, since the implants add weight to the upper body and have a different density than breast tissue. Enhanced curves resulting from breast augmentation will mean that your body will be less streamlined and offer more resistance to the water. If you’re a competitive swimmer, breast implants may lead to a slight drop in your time.

Activities that require reaching across the chest, such as golf and tennis, can be affected by breast implants, which increase the projection of your chest. Women are usually able to adapt to their new breasts by using their torso and chest muscles more.

If you’re considering breast augmentation surgery and wish to continue your active lifestyle, be sure to discuss your options with your board-certified plastic surgeon. Different implant shapes and sizes are suitable for a wide range of uses, offering enhanced curves without inhibiting your active lifestyle. By asking questions about exercise with breast implants, you can maximize the benefits of your breast augmentation.

On April 15, 2002, Botox Cosmetic received FDA approval and officially entered the US market, ushering in a new era of facial rejuvenation. The world’s most popular injectable cosmetic treatment will reach its 10th birthday on Sunday, April 15.

According to a recent article on the WPTV website, Botox has thrived over its decade on the market, despite the major economic downturn of the past few years. “When the down economy sent more expensive surgical procedures like breast augmentations and facelifts plummeting, more Americans turned to the less-costly magic found in a vial of Botox.”

Botox is a refined form of botulinum toxin, which has the ability to paralyze targeted muscles by inhibiting nerve signals. Before 2002, Botox had been used in therapies for muscle spasms for many years, and doctors came to realize that it could have cosmetic applications. With Botox, a plastic surgeon can selectively target certain facial muscles, which relax and allow others to extend more fully, and in turn erase the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Since it was introduced in 2002, Botox Cosmetic has become the most popular cosmetic procedure in the United States, far surpassing any other treatment. Roughly 5.7 million Americans received Botox last year.

The WPTV article quotes Dr. Fredric Brandt, a dermatologist from Miami, who says that Botox was “the biggest revolution in cosmetology and dermatology in the last 30 years.” It ushered in the age of dermal fillers and other nonsurgical alternatives to traditional procedures such as the facelift. Previous treatments had offered limited results, but Botox “opened the door” to new methods and techniques.

Thanks to Botox, wrinkle reduction without surgery is now a common practice, with products such as Juvederm and Restylane offering similar results through different approaches. Who knows the next 10 years will bring?

According to a recent study published in the April issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, patients undergoing liposuction or abdominoplasty experience “significant improvements in self-esteem and quality of life.” The study also revealed that these benefits were enhanced when the two procedures were combined.

Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck surgery, is a popular procedure that removes excess skin from the lower abdomen. Liposuction is a procedure that can remove excess fatty deposits from different parts of the body, including the arms, abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. These surgeries can be combined to provide an overall improvement in body contour.

The new study examined surgical outcomes in 360 patients who were undergoing different plastic surgeries, with post-recovery surveys that included questions about discomfort, self-esteem, and quality of life. Sixty percent of the patients underwent liposuction, while 5 percent received tummy tuck surgery. The remaining 35 percent received both techniques in a single procedure.

Liposuction typically resulted in significantly shorter recovery times: 6 days off work compared with 16 days for those recovering from tummy tuck surgery. Liposuction patients also experienced less discomfort during their recovery period.

However, the study also found that  patients who received abdominoplasty rated their surgical outcomes higher than the liposuction group. On average, liposuction resulted in a satisfaction score of 80 percent, while abdominoplasty resulted in 90 percent. A combined procedure resulted in a 99 percent satisfaction rate with no increase in pain compared to abdominoplasty.

Overall, 86 percent of patients reported an improved sense of self-esteem, and 70 percent reported an improved quality of life. These factors were much more common among the combined-procedure group. Study author Dr. Eric Swanson hopes that this study will contribute to a growing awareness of the emotional benefits of plastic surgery.

While so-called “gummy bear” breast implants have been approved in Europe and Canada, the FDA has not approved them for use in the United States despite widespread demand, according to a recent article on ImplantInfo. A recent poll on the website revealed that 51 percent of 800 readers would be willing to wait for FDA approval before receiving breast augmentation surgery.

What are Gummy Bear Breast Implants?

“Gummy bear” is a popular slang for a newer type of silicone breast implant. The difference between this implant and older models is that it is stickier and has a superior ability to retain its form and soft texture over the long term. The reference to the popular gelatinous candy refers to its texture. According to Dr. Steven Teitelbaum, who was interviewed by ImplantInfo writer Christine Adamo:

“Today’s silicone gel breast implants are far more cohesive, less likely to leak and less likely to spread than the more ‘liquid’ implants of the ‘70s and ‘80s – the type of silicone that gave breast implants a bad name.”

While the silicone in these newer implants is a liquid and retains a slight risk of leakage, they are less likely to cause capsular contracture. Clinical trials are now ongoing.

“Trials test for safety and efficacy,” Dr. Teitelbaum told ImplantInfo. “The FDA will use the results to decide if the implants should be approved for general use. Since it is a study that demands a lot of paperwork and compliance, it is only open to a few surgeons.”

Gummy Bear: Advantages

• superior shape retention
• hardening of scar tissue (capsular contracture) is infrequent
• less likely to cause folds or shell collapse
• unlikely to leak

Gummy Bear: Disadvantages

• higher cost
• longer incisions
• danger of distortion with rotation
• less flexible shape
• firmer feel

Dr. Teitelbaum says that it’s not certain how long women will need to wait before gummy bear implants are approved for the US market.

“The FDA’s job is to be sure that medical devices sold to the public are safe for them. When fiascos like those with PIP happen, it delays the process because it worries everyone. But the data from (Gummy Bear) implants are better than for any other implant to date. It seems inevitable that they will get approved.”

Image source: Pumbaa80, Wikimedia Commons

With the rising popularity of body contouring surgeries such as the buttocks lift, it’s sad but not surprising to discover that a black market for these procedures has begun to develop in the US. Over the past two years, cases of illegal butt augmentation have entered the headlines, most notably with Florida woman Oneal Ron Morris.

Morris, who was charged last year with illegally injecting toxic substances into women’s buttocks, was recently brought up on further charges as more victims came forward. The substances that she allegedly used included flat-tire sealant, glue, cement, Super Glue, and mineral oil. According to the victims, she wore a nurse’s uniform, gloves, and an ID tag who administering the shots. The women have suffered medical complications and infections as a result of the injections.

Morris has adamantly denied that she performed backroom beauty procedures and continues to protest her innocence. She is now free on bail.

In Philadelphia, 42-year-old Padge Windslowe faces a similar spate of charges. The police are investigating so-called “pumping parties” at which Windslowe was charging $2,000 for the procedure. She has been implicated in at least one death. If released on bail, Windslowe will be required to stay away from needles and glue, reports Fox News.

Other cases are likely to arise in the coming months and years, as many people who want to have larger buttocks to complement their figures will seek less expensive alternatives. Back-alley butt injectors are able to offer low prices because they have no medical training, facilities, or insurance. If you’re considering butt augmentation or other cosmetic procedures, make sure that your provider is a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in the procedure. Your life may depend on it.

“Cosmetic surgery patients are overwhelmingly white, so we wondered why. Is it because African Americans have an advantage in the age game?” Thus begins the fifth installment of ABC 20/20’s recent profile of the plastic surgery industry, which highlights the rising role of black women in plastic surgeons’ offices across the country.

ABC interviewed Phyllis Jackson, who attended a Beverly Hills dinner party where patients received Botox injections. She says that she received Botox despite pressure from her peers. “There’s a pressure from the community that, you know, ‘African-American women don’t need to have beauty enhancements,’” she told ABC.

Linda Caradine-Poinsett, another black woman, says “I think African-American women are still in the closet about having plastic surgery…[but] I think we’re doing it a lot more.” Linda received body contouring surgeries that enhanced her breasts and reduced the size of her waistline.

Why Blacks are Underrepresented in Plastic Surgery

“Maybe that expression you may have heard, ‘black don’t crack,’ is true.”
- Barbara Walters

The stigma described by Phyllis and Linda is only part of the reason for blacks’ underrepresentation in plastic surgery. Black skin, with its dark pigments and high oil production, has natural advantages that offer significant protection against damage. “Darker skin has natural protective factors against sun,” plastic surgeon Dr. Julius Few told ABC. “So we don’t see the same wrinkling, because sun exposure typically will cause weathering or cracking or folding of the skin.

“A lot of people think oil in the skin is bad. The reality is oil in your skin is good. It’s kind of like folding a piece of paper. The more you fold the piece of paper, the more you’re likely to get a wrinkle in it. Well, if the skin is a bit oiler, has better moisture to it, it will tend not to get a heavy crease in it.”

Facelifts

Anti-Aging Food Strategies

• Toxins such as BPA, which is found in plastic and canned foods, should be avoided. These products often have hormone-like properties that can disrupt your healthy balance.
• Sugars and starches can cause inflammation and make you look and feel older than you actually are. Avoid sugar, potatoes, pastas, and breads.
• There are a number of foods that experts believe can help in the fight against aging. These include strawberries, blackberries, corn, egg yolk, artichoke hearts, broccoli, flaxseed, and dark green, leafy vegetables. Foods heavy in vitamins, including vitamin D, are invaluable.

Positive Lifestyle Strategies

• Avoid sun exposure and use an appropriate SPF sunscreen. While skin care products such as Therapon and Obagi can correct the damage caused by sun exposure, prevention is crucial to ensure your skin’s health.
• Get enough sleep and avoid stress. “Stress increases the hormone cortisol and anything that we can do to decrease the hormone cortisol will… slow down the aging process,” one anti-aging expert comments.
• Exercise regularly. This can help preserve the benefits of body contouring surgeries such as liposuction and tummy tuck.
• Quit smoking. Besides reducing the risk of developing nasolabial folds around your lips, this will enhance your body’s healing response, and improve your appearance more generally. (Of course, it goes without saying that the benefits of quitting extend far beyond cosmetic improvements!)

Plastic surgeries and cosmetic procedures can offer amazing benefits, but aren’t much good if you don’t maintain the results. These and other tips can help you maximize your cosmetic results.

Breaking Down the Stats

• 34 percent of those who underwent breast augmentation or breast lift surgery reported an overall increase in satisfaction with their sex life.
• 61 percent said that they had sex more frequently after their surgery.
• 70 percent said that their overall sex life satisfaction had improved.
• 7.5 out of 10 women who have had breast augmentation say it was “worth it.”
• 8 out of 10 women who have had breast lift surgery say it was “worth it.”

Many plastic surgeons find that their patients experience greater confidence and self-image after their breast surgeries. “The poll results are not surprising,” a Texas-based plastic surgeon said in a press release from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. “I see a transformation in what patients wear and how they carry themselves in the office after having a breast augmentation. In my personal observation, women definitely feel more confident after the procedure, and you can easily see how that improved confidence will lead to improvements in other areas of their lives.”

This online study reinforces earlier studies which have also revealed a positive link between cosmetic breast surgeries and the patient’s sex life. A University of Florida study in 2007 revealed that while pre-op patients “didn’t have particularly low self-esteem or particularly poor sexual function prior to surgery,” their sexuality and self-esteem “significantly improved after they got breast implants.”

“They were already OK with self-esteem and sexuality – they just wanted larger breasts,” Cynthia Figueroa-Haas, PhD, told WebMD back in 2007. “They got increased levels of self-esteem and sexuality.”