Title: Is
the current advancement in aesthetic surgery heading in a negative direction?
Executive summary
This report sets out
to investigate the direction of the advancement in aesthetic surgery. We trace
the progress of aesthetic surgery through time – the background and rise of
aesthetic surgery, where it is today and its intended effects, and explore
where this technology is heading. We will explore the on-going debate over the
multi-faceted pros and cons of the aesthetic surgery for the individual, for
the society, as well as its impacts on the progress of technology and mankind
as a whole. We then come up with solutions to the problems we foresee.
Background of Aesthetic Surgery – A
Look at the How and What
History – How Aesthetic
Surgery Came About
Plastic surgery started as early as 600 BC, where a Hindu surgeon
reconstructed a nose using a piece of cheek. By 1000 AD, rhinoplasty was
common, due to the barbaric custom of cutting off the noses and upper lips of
one's enemies. In the 16th century, Gaspare Tagliacozzi, known as "the
father of plastic surgery," reconstructed noses slashed off by swords
during duels by transferring flaps of upper arm skin. This procedure was also
used to correct the saddle nose deformity of syphilis.
The term plastic surgery, from the Greek "plastikos" (fit for moulding),
was coined by Pierre Desault in 1798 as a label for procedures to repair facial
deformities. The invention of anaesthetic aided the practice of plastic surgery
in the 19th century. Plastic surgeons further honed their skills
during the 2 world wars, then applied their techniques to victims of birth
defects and automobile and industrial accidents. Today, advertisements and
marketing campaigns drive the industry of plastic surgery.
Aesthetic Surgery In Its Various Forms
– What Aesthetic Surgery Is
Aesthetic surgery comprises
two categories: Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery. As defined by the American
Society of Plastic Surgeons, cosmetic surgery is concerned with reshaping
normal structures of the body in order to improve the patient’s appearance and
self-esteem, whereas reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures
of the body to improve function, but may also be done to approximate a normal
appearance. However, there may be some grey areas, as there may be refinement
of aesthetic outcomes following a reconstructive procedure.
Endoscopic
lifting technique
Surgical procedures
used to stretch skin on the intended area for one to look younger. However in
recent time, precision tools have improved recovery time as well as changed the
conventional method. Now, precision tools make micro incisions in our face, then
the tissue is shifted back in place where it was. This gives the patient a more
natural yet youthful look as it restores the tissues to its original position.
Laserwash
Technology
With the introduction
of lasers, very precise surgeries can be performed, such as mole removal,
tattoo removal, red or brown skin spots. This is groundbreaking because it can
rid a user of natural born “defects” in appearance that causes misery as a
result of bullying.
Current Situation – A Look at Where We
Are Today
Impacts of Aesthetic Surgery
Good
1.
It can alleviate mental illness
2.
People have freedom of expression.
3.
Wealthy people need to spend their money somehow
4.
if the person had a car crash or was burned in fire, the might
have a cosmetic surgery to improve their appearance.
5.
Cosmetic surgery can improve an individual’s subjective well-being
only when other people’s attitude towards them are improved.
6.
Physiognomy: A person's facial features or expression,
esp. when regarded as indicative of character or ethnic origin. Having the ‘right
face’ gives you a higher chance to get the desirable job or marriage.
7.
Medicalisation of the body. The use of cosmetic
surgery as “medicine” to treat people with inferior physical traits. E.g.
Breast augmentation helps ladies with small breast to reduce their emotional
pain by giving them the “ideal” size of breast.
8.
Fake breasts are experienced as symbols of
social status.
9.
Improving social status of women.
10.
A form of treatment for BDD (Body Dysmorphic
Disorder) → a condition
characterised by an excessive preoccupationwith a perceived or imagined
physical defect.
11.
Improve the appearance and well-being of women
12.
A solution for “anti-ageing”
Bad
1. it shows us what a
spoilt race we are
2. People go into
debt copying celebrities
3. People take what
can be good to the extreme
4.
It can be very dangerous, if their surgery fails, the consequences are serious.
They end up looking like a monster. Some pictures can be seen from:
http://pinterest.com/chrispeters87/cosmetic-surgery-the-good-bad-and-ugly/
5.
Some media even promote aesthetic surgery, they mislead audience and make they
believe aesthetic surgery is acceptableNumerous medical implications
6.
It can heal physical deficiencies, but might not
be able to heal the emotional pain. E.g. Ladies suffering physical disfigure
from family violence can have their face fixed, but the emotional pain behind
the suffering will still prevail.
Looking Into The Future
(Same with this section – I think we
need to cut down on the points and select a few to elaborate on)
How aesthetic surgery
progress from now on hinges on the interaction of three entities in the
marketplace – the patients, the providers, and the technology available. In
this section of the report, we envisage the possible
·
future
applications of plastic surgery – how consumers may change their expectations
of aesethic surgery, how aesthetic surgery may be abused in the marketplace
etc, as well as the
·
advancement
in the technology of aesthetic surgery itself – the emerging technologies in
the marketplace that may or are already starting to revolutionize the field.
1. Bionics (plastic
surgery in this case covers regenerative medicine and robotic prosthetics)
2. Genetic
engineering -> designer babies and engineered athletes.
3. Scarless wound
healing - burn, trauma victims and surgery patients to health without a scar
4. Genitalia Redesign
-> total freedom to choose gender, the detachment of gender
and sex -> confusion/chaos, or a more equal world?
5. Face
Transplantation -> emergence of a black market for criminals on the run
6. Wings??? Part
animal/part human -> a world that allows people to indulge in their
unhealthy fetishes
7. Microfat grafting
8. Structural
tightening
9. Smart lipo
technology
10. 3D technology ->
possible consequences: minimizing of danger -> even greater popularity and
acceptance of plastic surgery?
Our Humble Recommendations
-Under construction-
References
