20 cosmetic surgery myths debunked

After endless hours of looking at ourselves up close on Zoom, many of us have decided we’re long overdue for an upgrade. The pandemic has led to an increase in cosmetic surgery as people look to improve their looks—and have the time and means to do so. Here’s a roundup of 20 myths about cosmetic surgery that we’ve debunked for you.




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Myth: Cosmetic and plastic surgery are the same thing

Many people use the terms interchangeably—however, cosmetic and plastic surgery have different overarching philosophies, training, and goals. In a nutshell, cosmetic surgery is “focused on enhancing a patient’s appearance,” whereas plastic surgery is “dedicated to reconstruction of facial and body defects due to birth disorders, trauma, burns, and disease.”




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Myth: Surgeons must have specific certification to perform cosmetic surgery

Although it differs by country, in the United States, for instance, doctors do not require certification specific to the field of cosmetic surgery to perform this kind of procedure. The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is the only certifying body in the country that “guarantees a surgeon has received training in all aspects of cosmetic surgery.”




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Myth: Cosmetic surgery is only for women

According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, “More and more men are seeking cosmetic surgery.” Popular procedures among men include nose jobs, Botox, hair transplants, breast reductions, and liposuction.




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Myth: Women cannot breastfeed if they have breast implants

According to the Mayo Clinic, some women can breastfeed just fine with breast implants, while others cannot. If you’re concerned, talk to your doctor first.




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Myth: Implants cause breast cancer

Breast implants do not increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. However, emerging evidence has shown that breast implants are associated with an increased risk of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), which is not a breast cancer, but rather a rare kind of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.




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Myth: Cosmetic surgery is only for old people

In fact, with so much focus on appearance in today’s selfie and social media era, an increasing number of young people are seeking cosmetic surgeries to correct issues such as a “misshapen nose, protruding ears, overly large breasts, asymmetrical breasts, or severe acne and scarring.”




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Myth: Cosmetic surgery is only for people with psychological problems

Most people who seek cosmetic surgery are “just as psychologically healthy as anyone else.” In addition, cosmetic surgery may have positive psychological outcomes for patients, including “reduced anxiety, depression, and social phobia as well as improvements in mental and physical health, self-esteem, and life satisfaction.”




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Myth: Liposuction gets rid of cellulite

Liposuction is a medical procedure that is performed to remove fat cells, thereby reducing the amount of unwanted fat. However, it does not get rid of cellulite. In fact, the surgery may actually increase the amount of visible dimpling.




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Myth: Botox leads to “frozen face”

While it may have been mocked endlessly on TV and in the movies, Botox does not lead to stiff or frozen facial expressions when used properly. “Frozen face” is unfortunately the result of the “wrong placement and incorrect dosing of the drug.” For this reason, it is important to seek treatment from an experienced and licensed medical professional.




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Myth: Cosmetic surgery is never covered by health insurance

Although it varies by country and coverage plan, some cosmetic procedures may actually be covered by your insurance. For instance, if a woman is in pain due to large breasts, her breast reduction surgery may be covered. If a woman requires reconstruction after a mastectomy, this may also be covered. Even an unwanted mole may be removed at the insurer’s expense if a doctor suspects it could be cancerous.




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Myth: Cosmetic surgery abroad is risk-free

While it is certainly possible to have cosmetic surgery performed in another country, it’s important to know what the risks are. If you are planning on having surgery during a vacation, keep in mind that many vacation activities can thwart healing and increase the risk of complications. In addition, long flights and surgery can also “increase the potential risk of developing pulmonary embolism and blood clots.”




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Myth: Botox causes your eyelids to droop

If Botox is administered correctly, the risk of developing droopy eyelids after a treatment is less than two per cent. However, if you do suffer from droopy eyelids, you can rest assured that the condition is temporary and should clear up within four to six weeks.




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Myth: Fat can come back after liposuction

The good news is that, once fat cells are removed during liposuction, they cannot come back. However, if a patient gains weight after the procedure, the fat cells that remain can grow, causing the body to get bigger. If, however, this weight gain is not too dramatic, the improved body shape should remain.




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Myth: Cosmetic surgery lasts forever

Cosmetic surgery results have a lifespan that varies by procedure and lifestyle. Typically, a breast augmentation lasts 8 to 10 years, a facelift has a shelf life of about 10 years, and an eyebrow lift can last 5 to 10 years. A nose job and hair transplants, however, should last a lifetime.




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Myth: Cosmetic surgery leaves no scars

All surgeries that cut the skin leave scars. This is inevitable. However, depending on the surgeon’s skill level, it is possible to “design scar placement in a way which may make the scar less obvious over time.” Patients can also learn how to “optimize early healing and scar management.”




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Myth: Liposuction is a magic bullet for weight loss

In fact, liposuction does not help you lose weight, per se. The medical procedure is typically used to remove body fat from specific locations in people who “otherwise have a stable body weight.”

If you’re looking to lose weight in general, it is better to focus on diet and exercise or consider bariatric surgery.




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Myth: Liposuction causes saggy skin

In truth, liposuction, which removes unwanted fat cells from a specific spot on the body, does not cause loose or saggy skin. However, some people’s skin may not “bounce back and retract” following the procedure.

One reason may be that the skin has been overstretched due to long-term weight gain. If this is the case, a cosmetic surgeon may suggest trimming the skin during the liposuction surgery.




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Myth: Only the rich and famous get cosmetic surgery

While the rich and famous may make headlines for their seemingly endless physical upgrades, all kinds of people get cosmetic surgery. As reported by Medical News Today, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, nearly 18 million people had cosmetic procedures in the United States in 2018.

That number has only gone up during the pandemic. Too many hours staring at ourselves on Zoom? Too much time on our hands? Nowhere to spend our money? Time to heal and rest post-surgery at home? YOLO? There are many reasons why cosmetic surgery is on the rise today.




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Myth: Cosmetic surgery is all about vanity

At first glance, cosmetic surgery may appear vain and shallow. However, a JAMA Dermatology study shows that “patients seeking cosmetic procedures are driven by emotional, physical, social, and professional reasons.”




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Myth: Cosmetic surgery isn’t real surgery

While cosmetic surgery is elective or non-essential, that doesn’t make it any less real in terms of medical procedures. “All surgeries, including cosmetic procedures, carry risk.” It’s important to understand the risks, have realistic expectations, know how to prepare, and know what to do post-procedure.




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