Since time immemorial, the human beings desire to look beautiful has remained unchanged. Plastic surgery, for instance, has been with us for thousands of years. Today, cosmetic surgery continues to break new grounds, thanks to technological advancements, innovative medical research, and advances in cosmetic surgery. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans undergo cosmetic surgeries and minimally invasive procedures. According to USA Today, Americans spend a record $16 billion on various invasive surgeries and cosmetic plastic surgery in 2016. The most popular cosmetic surgical procedures were breast augmentation, liposuction, buttock augmentation, nose reshaping and tummy tuck.
Some 290, 000 breast augmentations and 235,000 liposuction procedures were conducted in the US in the year under review. With regards to minimally invasive procedures, the most popular in 2016 were wrinkle treatment injections, Hyaluronic acid fillers, Microdermabrasion, Chemical Peels and laser treatments. Wrinkle treatment injections topped the list with 7 million procedures followed by Hyaluronic acid fillers, which recorded 2 million procedures. The number of people performing laser treatment stood at slightly over 650,000. Compared to conventional surgery, minimally invasive surgery only requires a small incision. The procedure is also less discomforting and promises quicker recovery times. On the overall, most experts attribute the high rate of awareness and success in cosmetic surgery to advances in technology, better education, and excellent safety record.
Role of technology in cosmetic surgery industry
Plastic surgery can be ordered as a personal, self-improvement decision or part of a medical requirement. Due to advances in technology, various procedures can be done safely in no time. For instance, a person can undergo cosmetic surgery without any disfigurement and get back to work soon after. According to Smarterware, some of the new technologies that have revolutionized cosmetic surgery industry, include Computer-aided Imaging, Tissue Engineering, and Microsurgical procedures. With a tiny incision, Micro-surgical procedures can be undertaken using devices that leave little blemishes.
One of the most common Micro-surgical devices is the endoscope, a thin, hollow instrument connected to a camera to relay video of underlying tissue. The surgeon then uses the live video to effect the required changes. Microsurgery can also be used to perform breast augmentation and reconstruction. Because of its efficiency and high levels of accuracy, computer-aided imaging has become popular in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. Craniofacial surgery is a popular computer-aided imaging procedure. The procedure can be undertaken to correct deformities in various parts of the skeletal; for example, the facial bones and cranium. Tissue engineering has also greatly revolutionized the cosmetic surgery industry.
Today, the preference for silicone materials to generate safe implants and tissues has surpassed the need to perform procedures such as skin grafting. Tissue engineering has also given surgeons and other experts in the medical fraternity crucial insights into aspects like cellulose response to external stimuli. With the help of tissue engineering technologies such as biomaterial technology, surgeons can use alloplastic biodegradable scaffold instead of the hitherto preferred human cell growth. Bone and cartilage engineering can also be realized with the use of poly-L-lactic and other acids. Research to create tissues for various cosmetic surgery procedures using 3D technology is ongoing.
Conclusion
The future of cosmetic surgery is well guarded as more people get into the act. Although women outnumber men, people who undergo cosmetic surgery come from all walks of life irrespective of income levels, age or occupation. Advances in technology, impeccable safety record and the need for self-improvement are some of the factors that have made many people embrace cosmetic surgery. The technological advances taking place in the cosmetic surgery industry such as 3D tissue printing will also likely open new doors of possibilities.
Dr. Usha Rajagopal
Dr. Usha Rajagopal is one of the most respected plastic surgeons in the Bay Area, where she serves as a Medical Director of the San Francisco Plastic Surgery and Laser Center. Her areas of specialty include facial surgery, breast augmentation, and body contouring procedures, which includes gynecomastia, liposuction, and tummy tuck. Dr. Usha enviable professional certifications include that of the American Board of surgery, Board Certified General Surgery and American Board of Plastic Surgery. She is also a member of several professional organizations, among them the California Society for Plastic and the American Society for Plastic Surgeons.
Because of her expertise and solid reputation, Dr. Usha has been featured in various local and national media houses. Her most notable appearances have been on Women Now TV, the San Francisco Chronicle and the widely read Readers Digest. Outside of her work, Dr. Usha established the Dr. Usha Rajagopal Scholarship to mentor students who desire to pursue cosmetic surgery as a career. As part of the requirements, entrants are required to submit their names and that of their college or university, along with a well written 500-word essay on the appointed topic.