Cosmetic surgery do’s and don’ts
BOTOX USE HAS BOOMED IN THE PANDEMIC BUT THERE ARE THINGS TO WATCH FOR
Demand for cosmetic medical procedures, such as lip filler, increased by 50 per cent in the 12 months to the end of September this year, data from Australian cosmetic clinics shows.
Patients are booking treatments for Botox, eye-lid surgeries and breast augmentations as body image concerns spike during the pandemic.
Experts say it is crucial people do their research before buying fillers and other cosmetic services because of how serious the repercussions can be.
In the aftermath of the Great Depression, women around the globe turned to their mirrors to distract themselves from the world crumbling around them, with cosmetic sales soaring like never before. Dubbed the “lipstick phenomenon”, women invested in lipsticks to make their faces and moods a little brighter.
And in a POST-COVID world, it appears Australians are increasingly doing the same – except this time around they have opted for lip fillers.
Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery Medical Dean Dr Ron
Feiner says his own clinic and those of his colleagues have been flooded with customers, and he expects the trend to grow with summer approaching.
“During times of economic stress, Australians need a pressure-relief valve, and indulgence is one way to achieve that,” he says.
“People have lots of time on their hands right now and not much to do, so many are turning the attention to themselves.
“There’s been research which shows that injections that are put into the frown have an impact on the brain area in increasing happiness. (Scientists) are understanding more and more the impact these procedures can have on people.”
About 100,000 Australians had a cosmetic medical procedure in the last two months of 2019. This year, the country is on track to reach 150,000 treatments between November and December 2020.
The cosmetic procedure industry is understood to be raking in more than $1bn through 500,000 procedures annually, and Dr Feiner said this excludes the growing
underbelly of illegal suppliers. “We are seeing people show up with lumps and nodules (after procedures) … many people are not being told about the substances that are being put inside their faces,” he warns.
“There is a misconception that Botox and dermal fillers are beauty treatments, in the same category as make-up or facials. But they are medical practices and carry risks, including blindness (Botox) or even death (liposuction).”
Feiner says the growing availability of cosmetic clinics makes such treatments more available to Australians than ever before, but it has also led to a spike in risk which must be addressed. Former Bachelor Australia contestant Monique Morley is the latest celebrity to speak up about cosmetic procedures gone wrong.
The 26-year-old said in an interview that she had a bad experience with Botox and lip fillers.
“My lips. Oh my god, it was awful! Thank god I have naturally big lips. Not sure what I was thinking making them bigger!” she told a gossip website. “I’ve also had dodgy Botox and my brows went droopy for two months!”
Morley said she had spent
$25,000 on cosmetic procedures and had to get her lip fillers dissolved after getting a bad result.