Resumption of Cosmetic Surgery During COVID - Experience of a Specialised Cosmetic Surgery Day-case Hospital

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic On Patient Social Media Use and Acceptance of Cosmetic Procedures

Objective

We sought to explore facets of social media usage and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the acceptance of cosmetic procedures.

Methods

At an outpatient dermatology clinic from October 2019 to June 2022, 175 subjects who were English and Spanish speaking and aged 18 years or older were recruited. Participants completed a questionnaire including demographic information, social media usage, perceptions of cosmetic procedures, and desire to have a cosmetic procedure. Results were grouped into a pre-COVID-19 pandemic group and post-COVID-19 pandemic group due to a natural experiment that arose. Data were analyzed to ascertain the effect of social media usage and other factors that impact desire to undergo a cosmetic procedure between patients before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

Factors resulting in differences in desire to have a cosmetic procedure included using photo editing applications (p=0.002), following celebrities and influencers on social media (p<0.001), and following social media accounts showing cosmetic results (p=0.013). There was a statistically significant change in number of participants that: followed social media accounts showing results of cosmetic procedures (pre-COVID: 31.9%, post-COVID: 50.6%, p=0.036); had thought about having a cosmetic procedure done (pre-COVID: 63.8%, post-COVID: 86.4%, p<0.001); had discussed cosmetic procedures with a physician, dermatologist, or other professional (pre-COVID: 43.6%, post-COVID: 67.9%, p=0.001); and believed that a cosmetic procedure would help their self-esteem (pre-COVID: 47.9%, post-COVID: 77.8%, p<0.001).

Limitations

Limitations of this study include response bias, recall bias, and single institution study design, limiting generalizability.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that time spent on social media and use of photo-editing applications significantly contributes to desire to undergo a cosmetic procedure and contributed to the rise of cosmetic consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Updated trends of breast implant surgeries: An Israeli analysis

INTRODUCTION

Breast augmentation remains one of the most prevalent procedures in plastic surgery. While most patients experience high satisfaction with the outcomes, a subset may encounter various complications or dissatisfaction with achieved results necessitating subsequent surgical intervention including implant removal or exchange.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We collected information from three pivotal private medical centers in Israel where a considerable number of breast surgeries are performed. We examined the number of breast augmentations, implant exchange and implant removal surgeries with or without breast lift that were performed on a biannual basis for each center for the period 2018-2022. Trends in surgery types were analyzed and compared to registries in other countries.

RESULTS

Between the years 2018 and 2022, 20,075 surgeries were done in three main private medical centers in Israel. Data show a gradual increase in implant removal surgeries from 2018 (n = 80, 2.9%) to 2019 (n = 269, 9.9%), followed by a significant increase in 2020 (n = 1436, 27.3%), and a gradual decline between 2021 (n = 1019, 22.8%) and 2022 (n = 916, 18.5%). The overall number of breast implant insertion procedures (breast augmentation procedures and exchange procedures) was 2659 in 2018 (97%), 2424 in 2019 (90.0%), 3816 in 2020 (72.6%), 3437 in 2021 (77.1%), and 4019 in 2022 (81.4%).

SUMMARY

We present updated trends in breast implant surgeries in Israel. 2020 was a key year in which the rate of explantations was the highest, and the percentage rate of implantations was the lowest and a year in which the trend changed. These patterns partly align with trends seen in other countries worldwide.

Extended Superolateral Cheek Lift With a Short Preauricular Scar: A Local Anesthesia-based Practicable Technique for the Correction of Moderate-degree Facial Aging Signs

An ideal technique applicable to middle-aged individuals with a moderate degree of facial aging signs has not yet been established. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of an extended superolateral cheek lift with a short preauricular scar technique for the correction of facial aging signs. A total of 200 female patients (mean age: 43 y, range 27-56 y) who underwent a local anesthesia-based extended superolateral cheek lift for the correction of facial aging signs confined to the malar and nasolabial area, lower eyelid, jawline, and neck were included. Data on the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale, patient-reported outcomes, and complications were recorded at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. The Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale scores revealed exceptional improvement in 90% of patients along with no complications at month 24. None of the patients developed a depressed scar, skin necrosis, breaking of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system plication sutures, asymmetry, or facial nerve problems. At postoperative month 24, the appearance was reported to be very much improved by 90% of patients, and 94% of patients reported that they were very satisfied with the treatment and that they would recommend this treatment to friends and acquaintances. Our findings revealed the potential utility of an extended superolateral cheek lift with a short preauricular scar as a local anesthesia-based practicable technique for the correction of facial aging signs in middle-aged patients, offering a favorable postoperative outcome, lack of complications and high patient satisfaction in addition to invisible scars and a short-term postoperative recovery.

An Analysis of Aesthetic Concerns Identified by Video Conferencing

Background During and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there was a significant increase in the demand for aesthetic procedures nationwide. We believe that one of the factors contributing to this increase was the use of video conferencing apps. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the aesthetic concerns that were identified by video conferencing. Methodology In Saudi Arabia, an observational, cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April, 2022. An online survey was used to assess the aesthetic concerns raised by video conferencing. The survey addressed multiple aspects, including demographic data, information on video call utilization, the attentional focus of the participants during video calls, and new appearance concerns identified on video calls. Results The survey successfully captured 432 adult participants. More than 85% of participants disliked at least one character of their appearance during video conferencing. The skin color type (based on the Fitzpatrick scale), time spent on video calls, and visual focus during the virtual meeting were significantly correlated with self-perception of new disliked features. Conclusion Video conferencing showed a significant statistical correlation with identified disliked facial/body features in both genders. People with skin color type III were less likely to perceive a disliked feature through video conferencing applications. The likelihood of having a disliked feature was significantly higher among individuals who spent up to one hour per day using video calls. Additionally, those who mainly paid attention to their face or body during virtual meetings were more likely to have disliked features.

The Psychological Impact of Remote Communication on Body-Image Perception: Cosmetic Surgery on the Rise

Abstract

In recent times the number of requests for teleconsultations with plastic surgeons in private practice (70% in the UK and 64% in the USA) has increased. The correlation between this increase and the concept of “Zoom Boom” changing how we perceive our image is under speculation. However, this could also be linked to the psychological impact of the pandemic on patients’ moods. This study investigated the correlation between the pandemic era and seeking cosmetic surgery while focusing on the psychological impact of the pandemic on body-image perception. An anonymous web-based poll was distributed through social networks in Italy and the UK to patients seeking cosmetic surgery. The questions gathered responses on: 1. patient demographics; 2. cosmetic procedures requested; 3. motivations; 4. delays to cosmetic surgery caused by the pandemic; 5. pandemic effects on mood; 6. influence of video conferencing on body-image perception. A total of 159 respondents completed the online poll. Patients were more inclined to undergo cosmetic surgery during the pandemic citing the wish to improve their “lockdown face” (61%) and also the benefits of home recovery during smart working (36%). Eighty-one percent of respondents stated that video conferencing had impacted on their body-image perception, 95% indicated lower mood due to backlogs and surgery delays, while 72% of participants noted declined body-image perception during the pandemic. Data suggest that although video conferencing appears to play a key role in rising requests for cosmetic surgery consultations, a patient’s negative self-perception is also likely linked to the psychological impact of the pandemic on mood levels.

Level of Evidence V

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.