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Video #1:                             100 Years of Plastic Surgery

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Video #1:                             100 Years of Plastic Surgery

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Take a look back at the last 100 years of plastic surgery, from dangerous paraffin injections in the 1920s and board-certified plastic surgeons in the 1940s, to the rise in popularity of plastic surgery in the 1980s and the influence of celebrities and social media in the 2010s.(Allure, 2018)

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Website #1:                        The Top Plastic Surgery Trends of 2019

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Website #1:                        The Top Plastic Surgery Trends of 2019

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Here are a few plastic surgery trends, top on the list is Coolsculpting, shocking to me that there is a Wiki page specially dedicated to 'Coolsculpting', is a fat removal procedure that involves cooling and freezing fat cells over a period of sessions. Clients therefore faceless invasiveness and still find fairly good results with this procedure. Followed by Breast Reductions, Botox, Labiaplasty, Fillers, Non- surgical Nose Job and PRP Injections. PRP actually stands for platelet rich plasma, which is exactly what is in these injections. PRP injections use the patient’s own blood. The blood is spun to extract the platelets from within it. The platelet plasma is then injected back into the patient, targeting the problem areas. PRP injections came about because plasma was thought to be able to rejuvenate and regenerate soft tissue. It quickly became a popular procedure to treat hair loss and was also used in facials.(Cummings, 2018)

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The rise of plastic surgery in the past few years has come as no surprise to anyone. We're living in the era of social media and with it comes the pressure to look a certain kind of way. But, the hundreds of Instagram models we see aren't the only reason for the surge in plastic surgeries. Celebrities have also become vocal about the surgeries they have which have normalized plastic surgeries for many of us. Honestly, this is a great thing. The taboo on plastic surgeries was always pointless and with it gone comes an era of more honesty. In line with that, we analyzed the biggest plastic surgery trends of the last few years to bring you the top plastic surgery trends of 2019.

We have a Wiki page dedicated to Coolsculpting here! Coolsculpting is a fat-removal procedure that involves cooling and freezing fat cells over a period of sessions. Clients therefore face less invasiveness and still find fairly good results with this procedure.

A decade ago, breast implants were one of the most famous plastic surgery procedures there was. However, today more and more people are moving towards smaller breasts. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) even stated that breast reductions increased by 11% during the last year. We expect this trend to continue in the upcoming year, with breast reductions increasing.

However, the ASAPS has also said that the Laser Bra Lift is now rivalling traditional breast reductions and could completely replace them in the upcoming years. The Laser Bra Lift is a procedure made by LA based plastic surgeon Grant Steve who describes it as having an "internal bra". It is a new form of breast reduction that is scalpel free and laser assisted. The procedure used a CO2 laser to improve elasticity and smoothness. In 2019, it's predicted that while the number of breast reductions will increase, the amount of Laser Bra Lifts will also increase.

The Botox has always been the most famous minimally invasive plastic surgery procedure. The Botox works to smooth skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the skin. Now, it is also used as a preventive procedure - to prevent these lines and wrinkles from even appearing onto the skin. One of the reasons it's so popular is because it can be used in a variety of different ways. It reduces lines and wrinkles, prevents them in younger people, and is even used to treat excessive sweating in the underarm area. In 2017, there were 7.25 million Botox procedures and this number is predicted to keep on rising.

In the upcoming year, though, plastic surgeons predict that a newer procedure will replace Botox. Michigan based plastic surgeon Anthony Youn is one of such surgeons. He stated that it is very likely that another procedure will surface in 2019 that will be even better than the Botox. However, despite these claims, no one really knows what this procedure will be. So, for the time being, a replacement for the Botox remains in the dark.

Labiaplasty is the process of reshaping the labia, by reducing its length, for aesthetic or comfort purposes. In 2016, the number of labiaplasties done increased by 23% and it has been increasing steadily ever since. There are many different procedures when it comes to a labiaplasty. The most common one is the trim procedure which reduces extra tissue. The wedge procedure removes the tissue and then shapes the remaining labia. Many other minor changes can also be performed. All types of these surgeries including labiaplasty can be seen on our Seattle plastic surgery page.

The procedure itself is also simple and can be performed under local anaesthetics. In addition, labiaplasty surgery is associated with a satisfaction rate of over 90% according to plasticsurgery.org. This could explain its rising popularity. As more and more people opt to get a labiaplasty, it is predicted to be one of the hottest plastic surgery trends of 2019.

Fillers have been a very hot plastic surgery trend these past few years. With a procedure like lip fillers popularized by Kylie Jenner, it's no surprise that surgeons have seen an exponential increase in the amounts of fillers requested by people. Getting cheek, lips, and eye fillers are all highly popular plastic surgery procedures.

Another filler trend that we guess will be huge in 2019 is fillers to reshape the eye area. Conventionally, surgeons removed fat from around the eyes to minimize the appearance of eye bags. However now, fillers are injected into the upper and lower eyelids in an attempt to restore volume. Thus, instead of removing the fat around the eyes, a new substance is now being injected.

What is also gaining a lot of popularity towards the end of 2018 is dermal fillers. These are non-surgical and an alternative to going under the knife. We'll talk more about them in the next point.

A nose job, or a rhinoplasty, is one of the most famous plastic surgery procedures out there. It is estimated that there are a quarter of a million nose reshaping procedures every year. Perhaps, this is because the nose is critical when it comes to establishing the symmetry of your face. Hence, if there is even a slight deformity in the nose it could change the whole look of your face.

Even though rhinoplasty surgery is very popular, it is not slowly being replaced with non-surgical nose jobs. Non-surgical nose jobs use dermal fillers to reshape the nose in a simple 15-minute procedure. The dermal filler used has hyaluronic acid, a substance that is naturally found in the human body. The filler is also estimated to last one to two years. We now see more and more people opt for this procedure instead of a rhinoplasty, which is permanent and involves going under the knife.

The last plastic surgery trend we have predicted for 2019 is PRP injections. If you're familiar with celebrity beauty trends then you may have heard this name being thrown around here or there. But don't worry if you never really understood it because we're here to help!

PRP stands for platelet rich plasma, which is exactly what is in these injections. PRP injections use the patient's own blood. The blood is spun to extract the platelets from within it. The platelet plasma is then injected back into the patient, targeting the problem areas. PRP injections came about because plasma was thought to be able to rejuvenate and regenerate soft tissue. It quickly became a popular procedure to treat hair loss and was also used in facials.

Celebrities such as Angelina Jolie and Kim Kardashian swear by PRP injections and the 'Vampire Facial', which is PRP injections injected into the face. Though PRP injections have been around for a while, it is only recently that they are showing clinical promise in actually doing everything they claim to do. With this piece of information in the picture, it is only logical that PRP injections will become a wildly popular plastic surgery trend in 2019.

2019 promises to show us the popularity of many non-invasive procedures. As science progresses we see the possibility of more and more traditional plastic surgery procedures being replaced by faster, non-invasive ones. Gone are the days of preparing a week before surgery and resting a week after. Plastic surgery procedures are becoming more efficient and more transparent as well, with most new ones being performed under local anaesthetics. With these predictions of 2019 in mind, we can only imagine what 2020 will bring.

In other celeb news, we think Tekashi 6ix9ine may need plastic surgery to survive in prison.

Find out why by clicking here!

This post was originally published on October 21, 2018 and last updated on March 23, 2019.

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The Top Plastic Surgery Trends of 2019 - PlasticSpot Blog

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The rise of plastic surgery in the past few years has come as no surprise to anyone. We're living in the era of social media and with it comes the pressure to look a certain kind of way. But, the hundreds of Instagram models we see aren't the only reason for the surge in plastic surgeries.

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Image #1:                   Marlene Chinea, a nurse from Florida, may just be the ultimate Kim Kardashian fan, as she underwent a $10,000 Brazilian butt lift surgery specifically to try to re-create the reality star's famous bum.   (Walano, 2016) 

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Image #1:                   Marlene Chinea, a nurse from Florida, may just be the ultimate Kim Kardashian fan, as she underwent a $10,000 Brazilian butt lift surgery specifically to try to re-create the reality star's famous bum.   (Walano, 2016) 

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Marlene Chinea (left) and Kim Kardashian. Pictures by: John Lamparski/Getty

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Video #2:                          Kylie Jenner's Plastic Surgery transformation at the age of 18 years old.

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Video #2:                          Kylie Jenner's Plastic Surgery transformation at the age of 18 years old.

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This is a great example of facial attractiveness to look symmetrical and the golden ratio 1:1:618 that we learned how based on scientific beauty the more average the face the more good looking the face is. From this research I learned that 'standards' of beauty have changed over time and mostly subjected to societal influences. Women feel they must look like the images seen in the media and feel pressured to keep up with social network sites.

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Kylie Jenner's Plastic Surgery Transformation

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What did you learn about the topic that most surprised you?
The topic that most surprised me is how young girls as young as eighteen years old going through Botox’s, fillers to make their lips look bigger and nose jobs to make Snapchat or Instagram pictures to look perfect. Lots of them also want to follow Kylie Jenner because she is the one who is the trend setter at the moment getting a whole lot of work done on her face to look symmetrical just like her sister Kim Kardashian. This just shows how young girls are influenced by social media and how being fake in pictures are such a normal thing for them now. Teen view plastic surgery as a way to fit in and look acceptable to friends and society. Adults, on the other hand, frequently see plastic surgery as a way to stand out from the crowd.

According to American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), there’s been a 200% increase in non-invasive treatments like Botox and dermal fillers since 2000, and millennial's are the biggest fans. Unlike past generations, they were the first to come of age when plastic and cosmetic enhancements started to become normalized, if not flat-out mainstream, and social media has played a huge role in homogenizing non-surgical facial procedures - not just in the US, but globally. In the era of selfies and Snapchat, subtle and low commitment treatments like injectables, lasers and peels are in especially high demand. As per ASPS, more than 200,000 people nineteen years and younger had either major or minor plastic surgical procedures in 2013.

Provide a real-life example of how this topic is relevant or interesting for you. Relate the topic to your life in some way?
This topic is relevant and interesting to me because in my twenties I wanted to do breast augmentation and I picked this topic because I wanted to research and see if I did the right decision and I’m so glad I didn’t because all the side effects that can happen is not good and everyone who did plastic surgery never stop at one they keep doing to make them look perfect and this is how they get obsessed and start to idolize their favorite celebrity and try to look like them spending all the money they don’t have just to look good and end up having lots of health complications when they older.

Which research did you find most interesting?  Why?
The research that I found most interesting is about “Facial Feminization Surgery” or FFS is a surgery that involves the cosmetic modification of facial characteristics, its described as a set of procedures used to alter and soften masculine facial features to have a more feminine appearance. For example, just like Bruce Jenner transitioning from male to female. This is why its the most interesting because, I always wondered what kind of surgery ‘Bruce Jenner’ went through to look like ‘Caitlyn Jenner’ and this project research lead me to understand what the surgery is all about to make somebody look more feminine, making their facial features less course, basically what they are doing is thinning the nose down, raising the cheekbones up and make the cheeks look less full. So, I must say this really is the most interesting finding to me because not only did he go through FFS but he also did breast augmentation as well.

It’s an interesting article, I found in people.com website and I’ve added it on my wall.

What are you most likely to remember from this research?
Most likely to remember from this research is to be natural as possible. Not to let social media or celebrities influence me and to be true to my inner beauty and appreciate that beauty is in the eye of the beholder not from plastic surgeries.

How has learning about this topic changed you? Discuss your attitude, practices, etc.
Learning about this topic that changed me and my attitudes towards being negative that plastic surgery is for only to make someone’s appearance to look more beautiful and perfect actually its not true because plastic surgery can also be positive like for example reconstructive procedures to correct defects on the face or body. Reconstructive surgery helps repair significant defects or problems. These includes physical birth defects like cleft lips and palates and ear deformities, traumatic injuries like those from dog bites or burns, or the aftermath of disease treatments like rebuilding a woman’s breast after surgery for breast cancer.

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Website #4:                    Facial Femization Surgery: is a term to describe a set of procedures used to alter and soften masculine facial features to have a more feminine appearance.

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Website #4:                    Facial Femization Surgery: is a term to describe a set of procedures used to alter and soften masculine facial features to have a more feminine appearance.

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This article is all about the procedure – and what it involves.

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caitlyn jenner facial feminization surgery

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caitlyn jenner facial feminization surgery cost

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caitlyn jenner facial feminization surgery money

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Caitlyn Jenner's Facial Feminization Surgery: All About the Procedure - and What It Involves

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Videos:
https://youtu.be/O2S7ZhR3DYw

Allure (Director). (2018). 100 Years of Plastic Surgery [Motion Picture].

https://youtu.be/cz2lMwO0eAk
Central, H. (Director). (2015). Kylie Jenner's Plastic Surgery Transformation [Motion Picture].

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZOpLpSNW6c

Broadly (Director). (2018). I Got Surgery to Look Like My Snapchat and Facetune Selfies [Motion Picture].

https://youtu.be/r6Ua-wuNNE0
Today (Director). (2016). Why Brazil Is The Plastic Surgery Capital Of The World | TODAY [Motion Picture].

Websites:
Cummings, a. (2018, October 21). Lifestyle. Retrieved from https://plasticspot.io/blog/top-plastic-surgery-trends-2019/: https://plasticspot.io/blog/top-plastic-surgery-trends-2019/

Pariona, A. (2018, August 24). WorldAtlas.com. Retrieved from https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-number-of-cosmetic-surgery-procedures-by-country.html: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-number-of-cosmetic-surgery-procedures-by-country.html

Cassano, O. (2019, 03 04). https://www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/body/article/43589/1/unpacking-global-plastic-surgery-trends. Retrieved from https://www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/body/article/43589/1/unpacking-global-plastic-surgery-trends

Mariah Haas, N. S. (2015, June 02). people.com. Retrieved from https://people.com/celebrity/caitlyn-jenner-facial-feminization-surgery-costs-35000-estimates-doctor/: https://people.com/celebrity/caitlyn-jenner-facial-feminization-surgery-costs-35000-estimates-doctor/

Images:
Walano, R. (2016, Jan 6). https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-body/news/kim-kardashian-fan-gets-10k-butt-lift-to-recreate-her-booty-w160805/. Retrieved from www.usmagazine.com: https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-body/news/kim-kardashian-fan-gets-10k-butt-lift-to-recreate-her-booty-w160805/

https://www.seoultouchup.com/. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.seoultouchup.com/: https://www.seoultouchup.com/

Tyler, C. (2012, Aug 16). http://www.dbtechno.com/health/2012/08/16/trista-sutter-plastic-surgery-before-and-after-pics/. Retrieved from dbtechno.com: http://www.dbtechno.com/health/2012/08/16/trista-sutter-plastic-surgery-before-and-after-pics/

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Image #2:                      Korea's plastic surgery before and after.

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Image #2:                      Korea's plastic surgery before and after.

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Video #3:                                  I got surgery to look like my 'Snapchat' and 'Facetune Selfies'. Broadly production, follows two women on a surgical journey to perfect themselves: one who has yearly nose and lip fillers and the other who prepares for a rhinoplasty.  

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Video #3:                                  I got surgery to look like my 'Snapchat' and 'Facetune Selfies'. Broadly production, follows two women on a surgical journey to perfect themselves: one who has yearly nose and lip fillers and the other who prepares for a rhinoplasty.  

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Example of what we learned in one of our modules "Selfies and self objectification" of how to snap the perfect photo for Snapchat. The three stages of selfie-objectification: 1) Capturing photos of oneself to admire and scrutinize 2) Ranking and editing those photos to generate an acceptable final image and 3) Sharing those photos online for others to validate. This video is a great example of how the girls wants to look just like their Snapchat pictures. In an instant, social media can change the way you look by using Snapchat and Instagram filters and apps like Facetune. Smoother skin, a different nose, plumper lips  and the pictures created by an app called 'Facetune' it's like plastic surgery on your phone that makes people's face look perfect and corrects the imperfect picture to look perfect. So sad how SNS(social network sites) are influencing all the millennial's.

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I Got Surgery to Look Like My Snapchat and Facetune Selfies

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Website #2:                Highest Number Of Cosmetic Surgery Procedures by Country

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Website #2:                Highest Number Of Cosmetic Surgery Procedures by Country

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Here is the quick view of the highest by Rank, Country and the Total Number Of Cosmetic Procedures for 2015.

1 | United States | 4,042,610
2 | Brazil | 2,324,245
3 | South Korea | 1,156,234
4 | India | 935,487
5 | Mexico | 907,913
6 | Germany | 617,408
7 | Colombia | 548,635
8 | France | 488,718
9 | Italy | 418,760

Reasons for Cosmetic Surgery
The driving reason behind cosmetic surgery is the desire to enhance a patient’s appearance. Evidence suggests that the people most likely to seek these surgeries are females with low self-esteem and heavy TV consumption. Today, the procedures are increasingly affordable which has led to an increase in the number of operations performed every year.(Pariona, 2018)

Being slaves to an unachievable image keeps the economic wheels turning....

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The practice of plastic surgery involves reconstructive surgery of the human body. It has various sub-specialties, including cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic surgery focuses on aesthetic changes to a person's appearance with the intent of improving the way they look. The common defense of this medical practice is that it helps to improve self-esteem levels thus allowing the patient to lead a happier life post-surgery. The country with the most plastic surgery operations is the United States.

Surgeons can operate on any area of the body. The body parts function properly prior to surgery, meaning that cosmetic surgery is elective. Common surgeries include breast augmentations, breast reductions, liposuction, face lifts, and tummy tucks.

Reasons for Cosmetic Surgery

As mentioned previously, the driving reason behind cosmetic surgery is the desire to enhance a patient's appearance. Evidence suggests that the people most likely to seek these surgeries are females with low self-esteem and heavy TV consumption. Today, the procedures are increasingly affordable which has led to an increase in the number of operations performed every year. Below is a look at which countries have the highest number of recorded surgeries for 2015.

Countries with Highest Numbers of Cosmetic Surgeries

The United States tops the list with 4,042,610 cosmetic procedures performed in 2015. This number represents an increase over the previous year. The most common surgery in the US is breast augmentation, the enlarging of breasts by inserting implants. Following this was liposuction, a procedure that removes fat from unwanted areas. The third most common procedure was nose reshaping. Miami in Florida has the highest rate of cosmetic surgeries every year, 18 out of every 100,000 people has had something done. This is followed by New York City where there are over 600 cosmetic surgeons.

With 2,324,245 cosmetic procedures in 2015 alone, Brazil takes second place. This represents approximately 12% of all cosmetic surgeries performed worldwide. The most requested enhancement is to breasts, this is followed by face lifts, and tummy tucks (in that order). Rio de Janeiro is the capital of cosmetic surgeries. The country has also developed medical tourism for patients who either come due to the less expensive costs or to recover in privacy.

Third on the list is South Korea, which reported 1,156,234 surgeries for 2015. Approximately 20% of women between the ages of 20 and 49 claim to have had at least one cosmetic procedure in their life. One of the most common surgeries here is referred to as "double eyelid". This procedure creates a crease in the eyelid, a characteristic that is not common in most people of Asian descent. The second most popular procedure is a type of jaw line reduction that changes the appearance of a squared-off jaw to a more of a V shape.

Other countries where aesthetic surgery is popular include India, with 935,487 such procedures in 2015, followed by Mexico (907,913), Germany (617,408), Colombia (548,635), France (488,718), and Italy (418,760).

Risks and Precautions

Some of the possible risks of cosmetic surgery involve complications with anesthesia which can result in pneumonia post-surgery. Infections are also possible which could lead to scarring of the operation site, often requiring additional surgery. Additionally, mild bleeding and fluid buildup may also occur. A permanent risk is nerve damage which could result in lifelong numbness and tingling.

Some precautions can be taken to ease and promote recovery. Avoiding pain and strenuous activity are helpful as well as keeping the wound site clean to avoid infection. Following the doctor's postoperative recommendations is critical. Getting lost of rest and eating a healthy diet will also ensure a strong immune system to increase recovery.

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Highest Numbers Of Cosmetic Surgery Procedures By Country

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The practice of plastic surgery involves reconstructive surgery of the human body. It has various sub-specialties, including cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic surgery focuses on aesthetic changes to a person's appearance with the intent of improving the way they look.

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Video #4:                          Why Brazil Is The Plastic Surgery Capital ranking second in the world.

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Video #4:                          Why Brazil Is The Plastic Surgery Capital ranking second in the world.

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This video explains why appearance is so important in Brazil. This is the culture of the country to look beautiful and sexy.

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Why Brazil Is The Plastic Surgery Capital Of The World | TODAY

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Image #3:                       Trista Sutter from America's Bachelorette before and after her plastic surgery to look perfect.  

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Image #3:                       Trista Sutter from America's Bachelorette before and after her plastic surgery to look perfect.  

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Website #3:           Unpacking plastic surgery trends around the world 

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Website #3:           Unpacking plastic surgery trends around the world 

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Body positivity might be on the rise, but as it turns out, plastic surgery is as well. Surgically enhanced beauty has become the status quo all over the world, and the global cosmetic surgery market is expected to reach $43.9 billion by 2025. We’re quickly moving towards a globalization of beauty standards, but who is getting what done where? 20% of all cosmetic surgery is done in the United States. “Different cultures have idealized different body types and the tendencies to prioritize different body features, whether it’s jaw-shaping surgery in Southeast Asia, body-contouring in South America, or breast augmentation in North America.” According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), nearly 1.8 million cosmetic surgical procedures were performed in 2017 alone, with boob jobs, lipo and rhinoplasty being the most popular. Injectables and fillers are also insanely popular in the UK. Even more popular than in the US, Brazil has the second highest number of cosmetic procedures in the world, with breast and butt augmentation being the most popular procedures, largely due to cultural beauty ideals. “Many Brazilians believe their culture is driven by looks,” says plastic surgeon Dr. Dirk Kremer. While in the West the average age for surgery is between 35 and 55, it’s reported that about one in three South Korean women aged 19 to 29 have had something done. Face-altering tweaks are generally the most common, with double eyelid surgery being a long-coveted procedure, and fillers becoming increasingly popular. Iran has been nicknamed the “nose job capital of the world” and women undergo rhinoplasty at a rate seven time higher than in the US. But the procedure is also incredibly popular in Lebanon, dubbed the ‘Mecca’ of plastic surgery, where 1.5 million procedures are carried out every year. (Cassano, 2019)
This is a great example of the video that we watched "The Illusionists- The globalization of beauty, and how "Insecurity sells": Beauty can be bought if people keep consuming.

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Are we all just getting the same work done?

Body positivity might be on the rise, but as it turns out, plastic surgery is as well. Surgically enhanced beauty has become the status quo all over the world, and the global cosmetic surgery market is expected to reach $43.9 billion by 2025. We're quickly moving towards a globalisation of beauty standards, but who is getting what done where? We broke it down for you.

20% of all cosmetic surgery is done in the United States, but considering that the birthplace of Hollywood has a population of more than 325 million people, that figure makes sense. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), nearly 1.8 million cosmetic surgical procedures were performed in 2017 alone, with boob jobs, lipo and rhinoplasty being the most popular. And contrary to popular belief, the facelift is still alive and well. "It has long been understood that beauty ideals vary geographically and culturally, just as they vary from generation to generation," says Dr. Charles Galanis, a double board certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills. "Different cultures have idealised different body types [and] tendencies to prioritise different body features, whether it's jaw-shaping surgery in Southeast Asia, body-contouring in South America, or breast augmentation in North America."

The ASPS also reports that there's been a 200% increase in non-invasive treatments like Botox and dermal fillers since 2000, and millennials are the biggest fans. Unlike past generations, they were the first to come of age when plastic and cosmetic enhancements started to become normalised, if not flat-out mainstream, and social media has played a huge role in homogenising non-surgical facial procedures - not just in the US, but globally. In the era of selfies and Snapchat, subtle and low commitment treatments like injectables, lasers and peels are in especially high demand. According to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, in 2018 72% of US surgeons saw an increase in injectables in patients under 30. "The modern patient wants a treatment that costs less, has less recovery and the best result," Dr. Galanis tells Dazed Beauty. "For younger women however, with the explosion of social media, filters and other methods of photo alteration, there is a growing concern over an obsession with unrealistic beauty ideals. This is something that plastic surgeons need to be aware of in evaluating and treating this demographic."

Injectables and fillers are also insanely popular here in the UK, no doubt thanks to the popularity of reality TV shows like Love Island. "Non-invasive procedures continue to rise in the UK far more than any other sector," says Dr. Jonquille Chantrey, cosmetic surgeon and international aesthetic lecturer, adding that the popularity of fillers is symptomatic of today's quick-fix culture. "People want comparable surgical results but without the risks and downtime. Botox remains extremely popular, but I'm seeing a huge increase in non-invasive body contouring and fat removal through machines such as CoolSculpting." And of course, the infamous BBL has also become big in the UK, especially since the rise of social media, which Dr. Chantrey notes is a common denominator in her patient's decision to get procedures. However, she specifies that social media is often a catalyst, rather than a cause. Other big influences include intrinsic factors like negative self-talk, constant comparison and low self-esteem which often make "people want to improve," says Dr. Chantrey.

"Due to the tropical climate, endless beaches and the culture of Samba and Carnival, Brazilians always put an effort to have a good-looking body" - Dr Dirk Kremer

Even more popular than in the US, Brazil has the second highest number of cosmetic procedures in the world, with breast and butt augmentation being the most popular procedures, largely due to cultural beauty ideals. "Many Brazilians believe their culture is driven by looks," says plastic surgeon Dr. Dirk Kremer. "Due to the tropical climate, endless beaches and the culture of Samba and Carnival, Brazilians always put an effort to have a good-looking body." Surgeons there are as famous as the celebrities they operate on, and finding one is as easy as finding a hairdresser. In public hospitals, procedures are cheap (if not free), they can be deducted as a tax write-off, and every year the Brazilian government subsidizes nearly half a million elective surgeries (*pause for thought*). For Brazilians, this is known as the " right to beauty ".

Brazil's obsession with surgical beauty isn't unique, and it's happening even on the other side of the world, in South Korea. The East Asian nation has one of the highest rates of plastic surgery in the world - nearly 1 million procedures a year - and also the highest number of plastic surgeons per capita. The New Yorker dubbed South Korea "the world's plastic surgery capital" and Business Insider reports that in the affluent Gangnam neighbourhood (home the famed Apgujeong plastic surgery district) there are at least 500 places to get a procedure. The country also boasts a thriving cosmetic surgery tourism industry, worth almost £400 million annually. Incheon airport in Seoul even considered including a plastic surgery clinic inside a terminal so travelers - who mostly come from Japan and mainland China - wouldn't have to go into the city for procedures (the idea was eventually scrapped.)

While in the West the average age for surgery is between 35 and 55, it's reported that about one in three South Korean women aged 19 to 29 have had something done. Face-altering tweaks are generally the most common, with double eyelid surgery being a long-coveted procedure, and fillers becoming increasingly popular. "Koreans can have volume deficient foreheads and temples, so they like fillers to the foreheads and temples," says Dr. Chantrey. "They also like to completely reshape their jawline so rather than looking wide and thick through the jaw they look much slimmer, and a slightly more pointed chin, so this gives the illusion of narrowness to the face." The appeal of this aesthetic is largely due to the influence of K-pop culture. In 2017 the girl band Six Bomb released the single "Becoming Prettier," praising all the plastic surgery each member had undergone. It's not uncommon for K-pop stars to have work done, and the phenomenon has created a completely new identikit look that nods to eurocentric features: wide eyes, a slim jawline, high cheekbones, and a button nose, the latter becoming increasingly requested in pan-Arab countries as well.

"We're living in an age where all over the world everyone is getting the same work done, often watering down their ethnic features"

According to Dr. Kremer says Iran has been nicknamed the "nose job capital of the world" and women undergo rhinoplasty at a rate seven time higher than in the US. But the procedure is also incredibly popular in Lebanon, dubbed the 'Mecca' of plastic surgery, where 1.5 million procedures are carried out every year. "The shape of the nose has long been seen as 'problematic' by some in this region," Dr. Kremer explains. "Lebanese [women] are not all 'blessed' with small and straight noses that fit the idea of western beauty standards, which have been peddled for so long across the Middle East."

He adds that Lebanese media has had a huge impact on the surge of nose jobs. "When MBC [The Middle East Broadcasting Center] launched a few decades ago, it introduced a new wave of young, pretty broadcasters and newsreaders who were different from the old school. Men were mesmerised and smitten and women wanted to look like them as they were somehow more familiar and accessible than film stars." Elsewhere, Egypt is becoming a leader in dental and body cosmetics due to the fact that procedures are cheaper there than anywhere else in the region, and similarly to Brazil cosmetic surgery is offered for a very low price in more and more public hospitals.

Although the US, Brazil, Japan, Italy and Mexico remain responsible for almost half of all cosmetic surgeries worldwide, it's clear that going under the knife (or needle) is quickly becoming the thing to do everywhere. "Beauty standards are becoming global," Dr. Kremer tells Dazed Beauty, adding that Instagram culture and smartphone filters are definitely a culprit. "It seems indeed that women all over the world follow the same trends: fuller lips, fuller cheeks, arched eyebrows, chiselled jawline, perky breasts etc. This is a pity because these facial and body trends don't suit everybody, [and] shouldn't become the must-have."

The internet, social media and celebrity culture have allowed eurocentric features - what Dr. Kremer refers to as the 'Kylie Jenner look' - to become the most coveted aesthetic. While that might not be a new phenomenon, the fact that procedures today are more accessible, cheaper, and often require less downtime means more and more women are turning to plastic and cosmetic surgery. We're living in an age where all over the world everyone is getting the same work done, often watering down their ethnic features and upholding a homogenisation of what is considered "beautiful" - and it shows no sign of stopping. The more the demand increases, the more likely that the "Kylie Jenner look" will become the status quo. Whether that's a good or bad thing is up to you.

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Unpacking plastic surgery trends around the world

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Body positivity might be on the rise, but as it turns out, plastic surgery is as well. Surgically enhanced beauty has become the status quo all over the world, and the global cosmetic surgery market is expected to reach $43.9 billion by 2025.