Top trends in cosmetic surgery according to Dr. Enfry Salas

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The projected growth of the cosmetic surgery is estimated to reach $66.69 billion by 2026 according to Fortune Business Insights with surgical procedures being the leading market segment. The global market size was estimated to be around $50.67 billion during 2018. The growing number of medical spas that offer diversified services and increased per capita expenditure are expected to help drive the adoption of cosmetic surgery according to analysts. Some major share prices to watch in this field include Soliton Inc. (SOLY), InMode (INMD) and Sientra Inc. (SIEN).

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So what are the top trends right now?

Botox was one of the top cosmetic surgery trends during 2020 according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “Botox is still really popular and injectors are busy playing catch-up from being closed down,” Laura Hunnewell from Oxygenetix confirmed. Let’s take a closer look at the top trends surfacing in current cosmetic surgery.

Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

Lip fillers with hyaluronic acid is the most popular procedure at Enfry Clinic. “It has become a very popular treatment because the effects are immediate and they range from very natural to very plump and outlined,” Dr. Enfry Salas stressed the importance of adapting to the patient’s needs and their natural anatomy. Apart from the natural appearance hyaluronic acid fillers offer, these fillers can be dissolved with a special solution in case of an adverse event or if the patient dislikes the appearance. Most fillers of this category come premixed with a numbing agent helping to maximize comfort during the treatment process.

Microdosing is Out for Now

For practical reasons microdosing is “not something I’m really going to recommend right now,” San Francisco based cosmetic surgeon David Sieber said. Microdosing spiked in L.A. and New York and provided a more natural looking approach to line reduction. Smaller doses combined with a shorter toxin lifespan could be a recipe for frustration when taking the current pandemic situation into account. This form of treatment requires frequent upkeep and regular appointments.

Uplifting Eyes

COVID-19 and mandatory mask wearing have had an interesting effect on eye treatment in cosmetic surgery. “Whether it’s Botox around the eyes or a Botox brow lift, the requests for injections stem from the fact that we’re all wearing masks,” Sarah Quinn, medical director at Arcadia Wellness Center shared her views on the origin of this trend. Patients are also having bigger procedures done as recovery time is no longer an issue with the work from home norm.

Non-Surgical Nose Jobs

Also known as a “liquid nose job” this non-surgical option gives patients the option to better shape the nose, raise the tips, smooth a deviation and even fix a previous surgical procedure. “After the lips augmentation this is a must do for our patients,” Dr. Enfry Salas explained that the most challenging part of the procedure is creating the illusion of a smaller nose by using fillers as well as developing techniques that can be tailored to work with each individual patient’s unique needs and physiology.

ZOOM Dysmorphia and Body Positivity

The pressures of a virtual lifestyle has evolved the selfie-awareness trend into a hyper-awareness of one’s own on-screen image that is broadcast live and via video. “ZOOM Dysmorphia” was coined in a recent study published in the journal of Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine. This study pays particular attention to the role webcams play. Webcams offer the chance for us to observe our own faces while we speak and display emotions. Video calls also offer the opportunity to compare our faces side-by-side with who we are conversing with. The study goes on to point out that webcams record at a shorter focal length which produces an image with a more rounded face, wider eyes and broader nose. “Real time video cannot be FaceTuned or photoshopped to smooth out a bump on the nose, crow’s feet or a sagging neck,” Dr. Paul Carniol, president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, noted.

The ZOOM dysmorphia phenomenon rests on the groundwork provided by the facial feedback hypothesis which states that one’s facial expression directly affects emotional experience. Or simply put: your face influences your emotions. This is why smiling makes you feel happier and scowling makes one feel angrier.

Dr. Salas advocates body positivity through a pro bono program offered by Enfry Clinic, “We have an open program for any patient that has a syndrome, accident, victim of violence or cancer and needs help with their facial scars or asymmetry and we always do that pro bono.”