Many procedures are crafted to uplift an individual’s innate beauty and boost self-assurance. However, a few trends from the past year might not be the best choice moving forward.
Let’s delve into the lesser-admired cosmetic procedures from 2022 and discuss why giving them a miss in 2023 might be a good idea.
Why Do Cosmetic Surgery Trends Occur?
Several factors are at play when it comes to the rise and fall of cosmetic fads.
For many, embracing these trends is a path to enhanced self-esteem and allure. For others, it’s about blending in with a particular social circle. Celebrity and influencer endorsements also play a massive part in pushing specific procedures to the forefront.
Further, the role of advertising in moulding the appeal of cosmetic interventions cannot be overlooked.
Service providers can stir demand by presenting their treatments as revolutionary or the newest answer to cosmetic concerns, thereby instilling a ‘need to have it now’ mindset in potential clients.
Cultural nuances too have a hand in determining what’s ‘in’. Different societies might prize particular aesthetic attributes over others, shaping beauty standards. For instance, while some cultures might value a fuller facial profile as a mark of wellness and beauty, others might lean towards a chiselled appearance.
The genesis of cosmetic trends is a blend of personal choices, societal nudges, promotional strategies, and cultural inclinations.
But trends ebb and flow and are often geographically or culturally specific.
Why Some Trends Aren’t Good For You
Some cosmetic ventures might do more damage than good for various reasons.
Firstly, a handful of procedures come attached with substantial complications.
Certain treatments might require a hefty dose of anaesthetics or entail deep-rooted surgical measures. Such procedures could expose individuals to risks like infections, permanent scarring, or even undesirable anaesthetic reactions. What’s more, sometimes the end result might not align with expectations, leading to unintended effects like altered skin feel or hue.
Another concern is the lack of stringent regulation around some treatments, making it easier for unskilled or uncertified practitioners to offer services.
Misleading promises or underplaying potential risks can also lead individuals astray.
Then there’s the matter of expense. Cosmetic interventions often carry a hefty price tag. With insurance typically sidestepping cosmetic treatments, the financial burden rests squarely on the individual’s shoulders.
Finally, some people may be motivated to undergo cosmetic procedures due to societal pressure or negative self-image. This may lead to more negative consequences on their mental health, especially if the surgery goes wrong.
Remember, seeking cosmetic procedures to address insecurities or to fit in may not address the root causes of these issues. Instead, cosmetic surgery should enhance one’s look and confidence, not solve the root problem.
In summary, some cosmetic procedures may be harmful or risky for humans due to the potential for complications, inadequate regulation, high cost, or adverse effects on mental health. Hence, you must carefully consider any procedure’s potential risks and benefits before deciding to get it.
7 Worst Cosmetic Procedure Trends of 2022
Here are the worst cosmetic procedure trends of 2022:
1. The Overfilled Face
Source: Dazed
This involves the hefty use of dermal fillers to achieve a voluminous facial appearance.
Though fillers are designed to tackle wrinkles and enhance facial volume in areas like the cheeks or lips, overdoing it can yield an artificial and distorted look.
The aftermath? A condition commonly dubbed as the “pillow face”, where the visage takes on a puffy, distorted guise. This effect is particularly evident in the central face region, often overshadowing defining features like the cheekbones and nose.
Beyond aesthetics, overly plumped faces can interfere with natural facial expressions, given the fillers might impede the normal movement of facial muscles.
Furthermore, health issues may arise from excessive facial fillers. Over-injection can result in blocked blood vessels, potentially leading to tissue decay. In severe scenarios, it’s been reported that some individuals experienced facial paralysis.
Yet, alarmingly, this high-risk trend keeps gaining traction.
Many are lured by the appeal of budget-friendly treatments, often resorting to uncertified practitioners. Such choices are fraught with risks, especially if the injector lacks proper training or experience.For those contemplating facial fillers, it’s crucial to consult seasoned professionals, such as Dr. Julian De Silva, to ensure safety and desired outcomes.
2. The Cat-Eye or Fox-Eye Surgery
Source: The Sun
Canthoplasty and blepharoplasty are distinct surgical procedures for the eyes. While blepharoplasty focuses on getting rid of excessive skin from the upper or lower eyelid without altering the eye’s natural size or shape, canthoplasty modifies both the shape and size of the eyes, giving them a more feline or fox-like appearance.
But the thing is, our eyes are not supposed to look like cat or fox eyes. We have distinct eye shapes as humans. Hence, going beyond the natural human-shaped eyes makes you go beyond the natural balance of your face.
Generally speaking, cat-eye surgery doesn’t work. It might work for some people, but most people who get it look artificial.
Moreover, the procedure calls for incisions on the corners of the brows and lifting them excessively. Doing so might detach the ligaments of your eyelids, which allow your eyes to blink.
Remember that unlike fillers, surgery is permanent, so be careful when you decide to push through with it. In addition, reconstructive surgery takes a lot of recovery, effort, and money, so make sure that the procedure you’re going through is something you really want.
3. Thread Lift
Source: The US Sun
Thread lifts are a type of non-surgical facelift involving threads, which usually dissolve over time. While this cosmetic treatment sounds like a less invasive alternative to a traditional facelift, many studies have yet to prove that thread lifts can produce all the results a facelift can.
In addition, many studies suggest that some threads can lead to different complications, including but not limited to pain, scarring, unevenness, and swelling.
Another problem many cosmetic surgeons have with thread lifts is they only give patients temporary results. As stated above, the threads will eventually dissolve, making you go back to where you started. Hence, the lift that you want will gradually disappear.
Moreover, the insertion of foreign objects into the skin carries a risk of infection. It can be perilous in the face, where it can spread quickly and cause serious complications.
Threads can also cause creases. They work like barb sutures that can catch your skin as they get pulled up. In their early stages, the threads also hurt people so much.
Despite the potential risks, some people pursue thread lifts to achieve a youthful appearance without surgery. However, the benefits of these procedures are often minimal, and they provide different results than a traditional facelift.
If you want to lift your face, consult a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon who can help you choose the best procedure for your goals.
4. Silicone Injections
Source: USA Today
However, using silicone for injections can be perilous, potentially leading to severe issues or alterations to one’s appearance.
A primary concern with such procedures is that the silicone might shift to different parts of the body, resulting in uneven protrusions.
There’s also the possibility of silicone hardening the skin or causing scar tissue. Plus, if any issues arise, extracting the material can prove challenging.
Worryingly, these injections are sometimes administered by individuals without the proper credentials. This lack of expertise heightens the chance of complications or mishaps post-treatment.
Moreover, silicone injections aren’t greenlit by several official bodies and are even illegal in certain places. Thus, opting for this treatment could land individuals in both legal and medical hot water.
Lastly, there’s no guarantee of achieving the aspired look with silicone injections, which might necessitate further interventions to set right any resulting problems.
5. Designer Genitalia Procedure
Vaginal rejuvenation, commonly referred to as labiaplasty, is a surgical intervention aiming to modify the look or function of female genitalia.
People might choose this surgery for varied reasons, from wanting to reduce the labia size, alter its shape, or improve the overall aesthetic of the vulva.
However, it’s worth noting that this kind of surgery can be quite contentious and isn’t always recommended.
Firstly, such surgeries come with inherent risks such as infections, the possibility of scars, or even decreased sensitivity. Post-operative pain or discomfort is another potential downside.
Further, the efficacy of vaginal rejuvenation remains under scrutiny. As of now, there’s scant evidence underlining its long-term advantages or validating its outcomes. The full spectrum of its after-effects or potential complications isn’t wholly known either.
The procedure, for some, verges on bodily alteration stemming from societal influences or diminished self-worth. This viewpoint introduces ethical dilemmas regarding the surgery.
6. Ear Cropping
Source: Metro UK
Also known as “elfing,” the procedure gives the ears a pointed shape with a pronounced tip.
Popular amongst the cosplay community, “elfing” is not usually advised by cosmetic doctors because it produces permanent results.
While cosplayers may need elf-like ears for conventions and the like, they don’t need to have such ears every day.
Like the cat-eye or fox-eye surgery, ear cropping also goes beyond the natural balance of the human’s face.
We have our distinct ear shapes as humans. Human ears aren’t supposed to look like elf ears.
Hence, going beyond the natural human-shaped ears makes you look artificial. Plus, getting your ears turned into elf-like ones lets people know you have work done.
Another concern with ear cropping is that it can be painful. The procedure requires general anaesthesia.
It also puts you at risk of complications such as infection, scarring, or adverse reactions to the anaesthesia. In addition, ear cropping might damage some nerves and muscles, affecting your hearing.
7. Tongue Splitting
Source: Healthline
The procedure’s usually done around the tip of the tongue or sometimes toward the middle of the tongue. The process aims to give the tongue a “forked” look.
People want to split their tongues for many reasons. For one, patients do it entirely because they want to look better or different from others and get a better sense of self-identity. Meanwhile, some people do it so they can do oral acts that the normal tongue can’t; with some claiming that this can improve their sexual relationships.
However, this type of cosmetic procedure is extremely dangerous relative to the results you’re going to get.
First of all, your tongue contains a lot of nerves and muscles which affect how you taste and feel food. A tongue splitting procedure can damage these muscles and nerves, especially if the treatment is not done by a qualified and experienced doctor.
Additionally, tongue splitting might give you an infection. Since the mouth filled with bacteria every single day, any change or trauma or change to the tongue puts you at risk of getting infections that might put you in the hospital.
This often dangerous procedure can also lead to significant bleeding. Unlike the other parts of the body, the tongue is harder to control once it bleeds.
Your nerves can also be damaged. Your taste and sensation might be affected, and worse, you might lose them. Your tongue’s movement might also be impaired, making it difficult or impossible for your to speak properly again.
In this case, you can ask yourself if splitting your tongue is really worth it given the many damages and risks that come with it. After all, your tongue is one of the most crucial parts of your body.
Considering Cosmetic Surgery? Tread Carefully
Here are the reasons why you should follow a conservative approach when it comes to cosmetic surgery trends:
Health Concerns
Almost every cosmetic procedure has its associated risks, from infection and scarring to potential reactions to anaesthesia. Regularly opting for cosmetic treatments can amplify these risks.
Unnatural Look
An over-reliance on cosmetic treatments might leave one with an exaggerated or unnatural appearance. This is especially true when multiple treatments are bundled together or when excessive fillers are used.
Regulatory Concerns
Not all practitioners possess the appropriate skills or qualifications, posing safety concerns. The more you rely on these procedures, the higher the chance of crossing paths with an under-qualified practitioner.
Financial Strain
Cosmetic procedures aren’t cheap. Constantly opting for them can strain one’s finances. Plus, since insurance doesn’t typically cover such procedures, the costs come directly out of your pocket.
Mental Wellness Concerns
The consistent drive for beauty modifications, propelled by societal pressures or inner doubts, can impart mental strains, especially if the outcomes fall short of what’s anticipated.
Conclusion
Enhancements in cosmetics can certainly uplift one’s self-assurance and refine one’s look, but understanding potential challenges is critical.
Several factors, spanning from personal choices to societal norms and adept advertising strategies, contribute to the evolution of cosmetic trends.
That said, a few 2022 fads, like the preference for excessive fillers, cat-like eye surgeries, thread enhancements, and silicone treatments, may not align with everyone’s ideal results or safety standards.
If you’re mulling over a beauty alteration, ensure you delve into ample research, engage with a proficient surgeon, and meticulously gauge the potential upsides and downsides. Also, sometimes, less conspicuous changes can be more appealing than stark transformations.
Intrigued about refining your look under the guidance of a seasoned cosmetic surgeon? Think about setting up a consultation with me. You may also visit my clinic located at 23 Harley St, London W1G 9QN, UK.
