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The Politics of Plastic Surgery

Allure — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:24:33 PST

We're happy to present this story from our friends at Allure:

Super Tuesday has come and gone with no apparent progress in the GOP presidential sweepstakes and barely a hint of drama - at least in comparison to the political excitement of a place like, say, Egypt.

If you haven't heard, that nation was rocked by a plastic surgery scandal earlier this week when a male member of parliament was busted by his own doctors for having a nose job and then lying about it. Anwar Al-Bulkimy, of the extreme Islamist Al-Nour party (seen above), checked in for the elective surgery, but claimed to the world outside that he had been beaten by masked gunmen. Supporters streamed to his bedside, until his surgeon called in to a popular TV show and offered the truth behind the politician's bandaged face. It turns out extreme Islamists look harshly on vanity procedures, and Al-Bulkimy was soon out of a job.

The moral of this story: don't lie to voters about something that's written all over your face. Critics have hounded Russia's Vladimir Putin for using Botox, and Italy's scandal-ridden ex-prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, whose hair plugs were visible from France, was cornered into admitting a "slight retouch" of his eyelids after disappearing for weeks in 2004 and returning with a boyish mien. Back in the 1990s, Argentine president Carlos Menem tried in vain to pass off work on his cheeks as swelling caused by a wasp bite.

Could it ever happen here? The pressure to look good is no doubt equally strong, and the faces of politicians such as John Kerry, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Nancy Pelosi have all come under scrutiny. But among the frontrunners of the current election cycle, there just doesn't seem to be the need. The only intervention incumbent Barack Obama could use is from a hair colorist to mask the gray, and likely Republican rival Mitt Romney is, at least by outward appearances, genetically perfect - with hair so thick it makes regular headlines.

Can You Spot the Real Cosmetic Surgery Stories From the Fakes?

Jaime Richards — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:15:26 PST

Every day there seems to be a story in the news about a cosmetic surgery gone awry or some kind of illegal activity associated with said activity. In fact, some are so outlandish they seem to be made up. But can you spot the real going-under-the-knife stories from the fakes? It's time to find out.

Take the Quiz

What Might Change For Cosmetic Surgery in 2012

Miriam Lacey — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:07:38 PST

Dr. Anthony Youn is one of the US's top-ranked cosmetic surgeons, and you've probably watched him on Rachael Ray or seen his memoir, In Stitches. But besides being one of the coolest doctors around, he's also an inexhaustible fount of knowledge on all things cosmetic and surgical. Here, Dr. Youn shares some big changes in the world of cosmetic surgery we might just see in 2012. Check out the interview after the jump.

Dr. Anthony Youn Talks Botox Cream and Common Cosmetic Surgery Misconceptions

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:42:00 PDT

You may know Dr. Anthony Youn as the cutie-pie doctor on the Rachael Ray Show and Dr. 90210, but he's also the author of the funny, touching memoir In Stitches. But most of all, he's a board certified cosmetic surgeon with a flourishing Michigan practice. We recently spoke with Dr. Youn about the no-needle Botox that's in FDA trials, why "bargain" procedures aren't actually great deals and lots more. The doctor is in, so just keep reading.

A Plastic Surgeon Speaks Honestly About Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:55:01 PDT

Dr. Anthony Youn gave a great and enlightening interview on NPR yesterday about plastic surgery, body dysmorphic disorder, and the fallout from living in a world with narrowly defined (and stereotypically Caucasian) beauty ideals. Youn, a prominent plastic surgeon who appears on Rachael Ray's show, himself had a painful jaw reduction surgery at age 17, so he's keenly aware of the pressure to conform that our society places on young people of color.

It's a fascinating listen, especially if you've ever wondered about the intersection of body image and race. Listening to Youn, you realize that the most unhealthy social norms are oftentimes literally written across our faces, and how imperative it is for us to create a more inclusive model of beauty.

Can You Guess These Stars' Opinions on Cosmetic Surgery?

Jaime Richards — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 03:02:31 PDT

Apparently, Kate Winslet, Emma Thompson, and Rachel Weisz have even formed a "British Anti-Cosmetic Surgery League," eschewing cosmetic surgery altogether. "It goes against my morals, the way that my parents brought me up, and what I consider to be natural beauty," Kate told the Telegraph. "I am an actress; I don’t want to freeze the expression of my face."

Plenty more stars have things to say when it comes to going under the knife. Take the quiz now to see if you can guess who said what on the often-controversial subject.

Take the Quiz

Want a Nose Job? You Might Have Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Miriam Lacey — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 11:36:10 PDT

A new study in the August 2011 issue of journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that 33 percent of patients seeking rhinoplasty showed moderate to severe symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder. BDD is a common psychological illness in which patients don't see their bodies or aspects of their appearance as they really are, and it plays a significant factor in many eating disorders and body image issues generally. Which is why it's both alarming and unsurprising to find such a high incidence of the disease in nose-job seekers. Keep reading to see more about the study's findings.

Want to Look Young Forever? Here's What It Might Cost

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 03:00:02 PDT

When it comes to the pursuit of beauty, women in the US put a disproportionate emphasis on looking young. It's far less expensive (and often more attractive) to simply age gracefully and take care of yourself. But just as a thought experiment, we wanted to see just how much you'd spend over a lifetime if you were to try and look 25 forever. We did the math, so to find out, just keep reading.

Despite Risks, Silicone Breast Implants Still Considered Safe

Jaime Richards — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:24:06 PDT

Almost 20 years ago, silicone-gel breast implants were taken off the market due to claims they caused autoimmune disorders. But in 2006, after these claims couldn't be backed up to solid evidence, silicone implants became available again.

And now that five years have passed, the FDA is saying that while silicone implants are still safe, they come with risks. Some of the most common are hardening around the implant, reoperation implant rupture, asymmetry, wrinkling, scarring, infection, and pain.

Because of this, the FDA notes that women need to understand silicone implants are not meant to be forever, as the chance of problems increases the longer the implants stay. In fact, one in five women who get silicone implants for breast augmentation purposes has to have them removed within 10 years. And for those who receive them for breast reconstruction, one in two needs them removed within 10 years.

"Despite frequent local complications and adverse outcomes, the benefits and risks of breast implants are sufficiently well understood for women to make well informed decisions about their use," the FDA said. Do you think that silicone implants should still be on the market?

People in Japan Are Getting Bagelheads

Miriam Lacey — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:12:37 PDT

Vice has a fascinating piece on the "bagelhead" body modification trend in Japan. Some young people have taken to infusing their foreheads with saline to create bulges and "bagel" or "donut" shapes. It's not a permanent effect, but the look is certainly noticeable. It's a fascinating read, and the pictures are amazing. What do you think of this form of body art? Is it any different, really, than popular American cosmetic procedures?

Source: Vice Style