I think this version is a little bit better. I have an interview with my mother as well as a decades worth of data on various procedures and demographics. It came out to about 5 pages in word so I think it's long enough now.
Hit me with the complaints
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Trend Second Draft
The quest for the fountain of youth is endless. Looking eternally young, once a thing reserved for the rich and famous, has trickled down to the masses, and it’s not just the women. Today we have more than just plastic surgery to beat father time, we have less invasive procedures which are less drastic, but still effective. Botox, Restylane, Perlane, Radiesse, laser skin rejuvenation, hair removal, laser cellulite treatments, stretch mark removal, and laser lipo are just a few of the beauty wonders technology has achieved. While plastic surgery can cost several thousand dollars and put you out of work for a while, medical aesthetic procedures have minimal downtime and are much more affordable, making them popular with the masses. Many people who are against plastic surgery because it alters how you look, many justify the use of fillers such as Botox, because when used properly, it maintains a look, not alters”56% of women say they approve of cosmetic surgery. 57% of men say they approve of cosmetic surgery. 31% of women and 20% of men would consider cosmetic surgery for self, now or in the future. 78% of women and 79% of men say that, if they had cosmetic surgery in the future, they would not be embarrassed if people outside their immediate family and close friends knew about it.” (ASAPS 2007) As a society we are justifying the means to preserve youth more and more.
Botox is derived from the toxin that causes botulism, it causes the muscle to freeze and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles, however, it was invented to stop eye spasms and has even been effectively used for migraines and excessive sweating (such as severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis.). It was first used cosmetically in April of 2002, and treatments have gone up exponentially. Even though there are 8 types of Botox toxin, the most stable and common form is Botulinum Toxin Type A. Some of the other types have not yet been approved for aesthetic use or are not yet approved in the U.S. Botox works by blocking the release of Acetylcholine (ACH) at neuromuscular junctions. In plain English this mean, that ACH, which is released by nerve cells to control muscle movement is inhibited so that there is less muscle movement. This helps to prevent muscles from deepening the wrinkles formed by repetitive contraction. As I have mentioned before, it began as a high end treatment and recently the masses have been taking advantage of it as well. There are even Botox parties which are considered the new and hot Tupperware party. Because there is usually a large number of people receiving the treatment there is a discount, which adds to the appeal.
Many people however still prefer the medical aesthetic spa since it feels like a more clinical and professional approach. These spas also offer many more treatments than just Botox. For example, you can get a liquid facelift which consists of Botox and Restylane. Or you could always do a skin rejuvenation series with lasers with minimal pain. Let’s says you don’t show off your legs because you have spider veins, those can be laser treated out too. Now let’s say that now you have spider vein free legs, but now you don’t want to shave, the medical aesthetic spa can zap away those hairs. Now you’re worried about cellulite on the beach or those stretch marks on your thighs, guess what, there’s a treatment for that too. Almost any beauty concern has a treatment, and if it doesn’t, they’re working on it. I myself have had a few treatments and I’m hooked. The more you do the more you want, because who doesn’t want to look great forever. People have always searched for the fountain of youth, might as well have the next best thing.
My mother is a registered nurse who with colleagues has been certified to administer fillers such as Botox and to perform certain laser treatments. I asked her if she felt that medical aesthetic procedures were on the rise. “Yes. Everybody wants to look and feel their best. I feel that not only is it on the rise, but that so far it’s at its peak, with Botox being the number one cosmetic procedure in the U.S. by far.” I also asked her about her prediction for this trend. “I think this trend will continue to grow because people are competitive. Even in the workplace, people are not just judged on their experience, but also on their personality and appearance and how they present themselves. If you have someone who is highly qualified, but looks old or careless and someone who is just as qualified who looks young and presentable, who do you think they’ll pick? Whether people are willing to admit it or not, there are two things that cannot be denied: people are judged by how they look and there is discrimination.” When asked about her views on aesthetic procedures she had this to say: “There’s nothing wrong with trying to look better or younger to an extent, if done for the right reasons like feeling better about yourself. There’s a limit to how far people should go, they need to have realistic expectations. If you’re 40 years old, you should try to look the best for your age, not like you’re 20.”
According to Empire Medical Training data provided at a training seminar we see the number of cosmetic surgery procedures in 1997 at 2,099,173 with it quadrupling in 2001 at 8,470,363 and in their last research year, 2007, those numbers were up to 11,701,031. The number of nonsurgical procedures was only 1,126,177 in 1997, but was up to 9,621,999 in 2007 (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.) According to 2007 data: “Since 1997, there has been a 457 percent increase in the total number of cosmetic procedures. Surgical procedures increased by 114 percent and nonsurgical procedures increased by 754 percent.” The ASAPS also provide us with the numbers and percentages of men and women having cosmetic procedures and which were the top 5 surgical and nonsurgical procedures. “Women had nearly 10.6 million cosmetic procedures, 91 percent of the total. The number of cosmetic procedures for women increased 1 percent from 2006…Men had nearly 1.1 million cosmetic procedures, 9 percent of the total. The number of cosmetic procedures for men increased 17 percent from 2006. The top five surgical cosmetic procedures in 2007 were: liposuction (456,828 procedures); breast augmentation (399,440 procedures); eyelid surgery (240,763 procedures); abdominoplasty (185,335 procedures); and breast reduction (153,087 procedures). The top five nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in 2007 were: Botox injection (2,775,176 procedures); hyaluronic acid (1,448,716 procedures); laser hair removal (1,412,657 procedures); microdermabrasion (829,658 procedures); and IPL laser treatment (647,707 procedures).” They also give the top 5 surgical procedures for men and women as well as the top procedures for 18 and under and the age spectrum for procedures. “The top five surgical procedures for women were: breast augmentation, liposuction, eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty, and breast reduction. The top five surgical procedures for men were: liposuction, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast reduction to treat enlarged male breasts and hair transplantation. The most common procedures for age 18-and-under were: laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, chemical peel, otoplasty (ear reshaping) and rhinoplasty. People age 35-50 had the most procedures – 5.4. million and 46 percent of the total. People aged 19-34 had 21 percent of the procedures; age 51-64 had 25 percent; age 65-and-over had 6 percent; and age 18-and-younger had less than 2 percent. Americans spent just under $13.2 billion on cosmetic procedures last year.” Americans spent $4,752,340,323 on nonsurgical procedures in 2007 alone. Between 1997 and 2007 Botox alone had a percentage change of 4159.2% more-so than any other surgical or nonsurgical procedure. Statistics from the ASAPS also tell us that procedures among different races and ethnicities were divided up as such: “78.6% Caucasian, 8.8% Hispanic, 6.3% African-American, 4.5% people of Asian descent, 1.9% other.” The large majority of these procedures being done on Caucasian women makes me wonder just how much those girls in Orange County are contributing. As time goes on though, I feel cosmetic procedures will be even more for the masses and not just “the rich white girls.”
Information provided through Empire Medical Training with data supplied by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery gathered between 1997 and 2007. Seminar provided by Dr. Stephen Cosentino, Medical Director; Dr. Michael Sinclair, and W. Horninger. Interview provided by Flavia Thornson, Registered Nurse.
Botox is derived from the toxin that causes botulism, it causes the muscle to freeze and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles, however, it was invented to stop eye spasms and has even been effectively used for migraines and excessive sweating (such as severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis.). It was first used cosmetically in April of 2002, and treatments have gone up exponentially. Even though there are 8 types of Botox toxin, the most stable and common form is Botulinum Toxin Type A. Some of the other types have not yet been approved for aesthetic use or are not yet approved in the U.S. Botox works by blocking the release of Acetylcholine (ACH) at neuromuscular junctions. In plain English this mean, that ACH, which is released by nerve cells to control muscle movement is inhibited so that there is less muscle movement. This helps to prevent muscles from deepening the wrinkles formed by repetitive contraction. As I have mentioned before, it began as a high end treatment and recently the masses have been taking advantage of it as well. There are even Botox parties which are considered the new and hot Tupperware party. Because there is usually a large number of people receiving the treatment there is a discount, which adds to the appeal.
Many people however still prefer the medical aesthetic spa since it feels like a more clinical and professional approach. These spas also offer many more treatments than just Botox. For example, you can get a liquid facelift which consists of Botox and Restylane. Or you could always do a skin rejuvenation series with lasers with minimal pain. Let’s says you don’t show off your legs because you have spider veins, those can be laser treated out too. Now let’s say that now you have spider vein free legs, but now you don’t want to shave, the medical aesthetic spa can zap away those hairs. Now you’re worried about cellulite on the beach or those stretch marks on your thighs, guess what, there’s a treatment for that too. Almost any beauty concern has a treatment, and if it doesn’t, they’re working on it. I myself have had a few treatments and I’m hooked. The more you do the more you want, because who doesn’t want to look great forever. People have always searched for the fountain of youth, might as well have the next best thing.
My mother is a registered nurse who with colleagues has been certified to administer fillers such as Botox and to perform certain laser treatments. I asked her if she felt that medical aesthetic procedures were on the rise. “Yes. Everybody wants to look and feel their best. I feel that not only is it on the rise, but that so far it’s at its peak, with Botox being the number one cosmetic procedure in the U.S. by far.” I also asked her about her prediction for this trend. “I think this trend will continue to grow because people are competitive. Even in the workplace, people are not just judged on their experience, but also on their personality and appearance and how they present themselves. If you have someone who is highly qualified, but looks old or careless and someone who is just as qualified who looks young and presentable, who do you think they’ll pick? Whether people are willing to admit it or not, there are two things that cannot be denied: people are judged by how they look and there is discrimination.” When asked about her views on aesthetic procedures she had this to say: “There’s nothing wrong with trying to look better or younger to an extent, if done for the right reasons like feeling better about yourself. There’s a limit to how far people should go, they need to have realistic expectations. If you’re 40 years old, you should try to look the best for your age, not like you’re 20.”
According to Empire Medical Training data provided at a training seminar we see the number of cosmetic surgery procedures in 1997 at 2,099,173 with it quadrupling in 2001 at 8,470,363 and in their last research year, 2007, those numbers were up to 11,701,031. The number of nonsurgical procedures was only 1,126,177 in 1997, but was up to 9,621,999 in 2007 (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.) According to 2007 data: “Since 1997, there has been a 457 percent increase in the total number of cosmetic procedures. Surgical procedures increased by 114 percent and nonsurgical procedures increased by 754 percent.” The ASAPS also provide us with the numbers and percentages of men and women having cosmetic procedures and which were the top 5 surgical and nonsurgical procedures. “Women had nearly 10.6 million cosmetic procedures, 91 percent of the total. The number of cosmetic procedures for women increased 1 percent from 2006…Men had nearly 1.1 million cosmetic procedures, 9 percent of the total. The number of cosmetic procedures for men increased 17 percent from 2006. The top five surgical cosmetic procedures in 2007 were: liposuction (456,828 procedures); breast augmentation (399,440 procedures); eyelid surgery (240,763 procedures); abdominoplasty (185,335 procedures); and breast reduction (153,087 procedures). The top five nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in 2007 were: Botox injection (2,775,176 procedures); hyaluronic acid (1,448,716 procedures); laser hair removal (1,412,657 procedures); microdermabrasion (829,658 procedures); and IPL laser treatment (647,707 procedures).” They also give the top 5 surgical procedures for men and women as well as the top procedures for 18 and under and the age spectrum for procedures. “The top five surgical procedures for women were: breast augmentation, liposuction, eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty, and breast reduction. The top five surgical procedures for men were: liposuction, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast reduction to treat enlarged male breasts and hair transplantation. The most common procedures for age 18-and-under were: laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, chemical peel, otoplasty (ear reshaping) and rhinoplasty. People age 35-50 had the most procedures – 5.4. million and 46 percent of the total. People aged 19-34 had 21 percent of the procedures; age 51-64 had 25 percent; age 65-and-over had 6 percent; and age 18-and-younger had less than 2 percent. Americans spent just under $13.2 billion on cosmetic procedures last year.” Americans spent $4,752,340,323 on nonsurgical procedures in 2007 alone. Between 1997 and 2007 Botox alone had a percentage change of 4159.2% more-so than any other surgical or nonsurgical procedure. Statistics from the ASAPS also tell us that procedures among different races and ethnicities were divided up as such: “78.6% Caucasian, 8.8% Hispanic, 6.3% African-American, 4.5% people of Asian descent, 1.9% other.” The large majority of these procedures being done on Caucasian women makes me wonder just how much those girls in Orange County are contributing. As time goes on though, I feel cosmetic procedures will be even more for the masses and not just “the rich white girls.”
Information provided through Empire Medical Training with data supplied by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery gathered between 1997 and 2007. Seminar provided by Dr. Stephen Cosentino, Medical Director; Dr. Michael Sinclair, and W. Horninger. Interview provided by Flavia Thornson, Registered Nurse.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Post Write for Trend
This piece isn’t done at all. I have to interview my mother and get the scholarly articles together and my mother has all the numbers and charts of the number of procedures so I’ll add that in soon. Sorry I didn’t get this on the blog sooner, I was having trouble logging in.
Trend
The quest for the fountain of youth is eternal. Looking eternally young, once a thing reserved for the rich and famous, has trickled down to the masses, and it’s not just the women. Today we have more than just plastic surgery to beat father time, we have less invasive procedures which are less drastic, but still effective. Botox, Restylane, Perlane, laser skin rejuvenation, hair removal, laser cellulite treatments, stretch mark removal, and laser lipo are just a few of the beauty wonders technology has achieved. While plastic surgery can cost several thousand dollars and put you out of work for a while, medical aesthetic procedures have minimal downtime and are much more affordable, making them popular with the masses. Many people who are against plastic surgery because it alters how you look, many justify the use of fillers such as Botox, because when used properly, it maintains a look, not alters.
Botox is derived from the toxin that causes botulism, it causes the muscle to freeze and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles, it was however invented to stop eye spasms. It was first used cosmetically in April of 2002, and treatments have gone up exponentially. As I have mentioned before, it began as a high end treatment and recently the masses have been taking advantage of it as well. There are even Botox parties which are considered the new and hot Tupperware party. Because there is usually a large number of people receiving the treatment there is a discount, which adds to the appeal.
Many people however still prefer the medical aesthetic spa since it feels like a more clinical and professional approach. These spas also offer many more treatments than just Botox. For example, you can get a liquid facelift which consists of Botox and Restylane. Or you could always do a skin rejuvenation series with lasers with minimal pain. Let’s says you don’t show off your legs because you have spider veins, those can be laser treated out too. Now let’s say that now you have spider vein free legs, but now you don’t want to shave, the medical aesthetic spa can zap away those hairs. Now you’re worried about cellulite on the beach or those stretch marks on your thighs, guess what, there’s a treatment for that too. Almost any beauty concern has a treatment, and if it doesn’t, they’re working on it. I myself have had a few treatments and I’m hooked. The more you do the more you want, because who doesn’t want to look great forever. People have always searched for the fountain of youth, might as well have the next best thing.
Botox is derived from the toxin that causes botulism, it causes the muscle to freeze and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles, it was however invented to stop eye spasms. It was first used cosmetically in April of 2002, and treatments have gone up exponentially. As I have mentioned before, it began as a high end treatment and recently the masses have been taking advantage of it as well. There are even Botox parties which are considered the new and hot Tupperware party. Because there is usually a large number of people receiving the treatment there is a discount, which adds to the appeal.
Many people however still prefer the medical aesthetic spa since it feels like a more clinical and professional approach. These spas also offer many more treatments than just Botox. For example, you can get a liquid facelift which consists of Botox and Restylane. Or you could always do a skin rejuvenation series with lasers with minimal pain. Let’s says you don’t show off your legs because you have spider veins, those can be laser treated out too. Now let’s say that now you have spider vein free legs, but now you don’t want to shave, the medical aesthetic spa can zap away those hairs. Now you’re worried about cellulite on the beach or those stretch marks on your thighs, guess what, there’s a treatment for that too. Almost any beauty concern has a treatment, and if it doesn’t, they’re working on it. I myself have had a few treatments and I’m hooked. The more you do the more you want, because who doesn’t want to look great forever. People have always searched for the fountain of youth, might as well have the next best thing.
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About Me
- Stephanie
- I enjoy writing and I love art, so since this is a blog for writing I just added in some art. I also really like word of the day and quote of the day. Enjoy and please comment! I like feedback.