Cosmetic vs Plastic Surgery: Understanding the Differences

By Your Health Magazine

Anyone who is planning to undergo the procedure, whether it is plastic surgery or cosmetic surgery, should know the difference. These terms are often used interchangeably and people need to be fully aware of the differences in targets and skills needed for each. In this blog, we will compare and contrast cosmetic and plastic surgery clinics based on actual surveys from the UK regarding the perception of such surgeries.

Definitions and Distinctions

Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery is a surgery that is primarily performed for the beautification of a particular individual. These surgeries are not necessarily compelled by a health necessity but are done to change or correct some aspect of the body that is not impaired in any way. Common cosmetic procedures include:

Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping)
Breast augmentation or reduction
Liposuction (fat removal)
Facelifts (skin tightening)

Thus, the purpose of cosmetic surgery is to improve the appearance of the patient, and the surgeries are performed by doctors who may not have specialization in plastic surgery. This is a significant consideration for patients, especially those considering plastic surgery abroad, where the qualifications and experience of surgeons can vary widely.

Plastic Surgery

Plastic Surgery on the other hand is a broad facet of the medical practice it also includes reconstructive surgery. This type of surgery is aimed at restoring function and appearance to parts of the body affected by congenital defects, trauma, or disease. Examples include:

Reconstructive breast surgery after mastectomy
Cleft palate repair
Skin grafts for burn victims

Training and Certification

The training and certification processes for plastic and cosmetic surgeons differ significantly. In the UK, plastic surgeons must complete training programs and get certification from recognized institutions. This ensures that they have the necessary skills that they are capable of handling complex procedures safely given that they have attained sufficient training.

On the other hand, the term “cosmetic surgeon” is relatively more liberal as there are no stringent measures that one has to adhere to to carry with the title. It is important to note that doctors can do cosmetic procedures without as much training as a plastic surgeon. Such a situation results in confusion for patients since not all the practitioners that they attend have the same level of education or practice experience.

Another survey, published by Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors in January 2012, found that a large number of people simply do not know what the formal requirements for the surgery are or where to go to find a good practitioner.

Public Perception and Awareness

The survey conducted in the UK involved 991 participants and revealed several key insights about public knowledge and attitudes toward cosmetic surgery, including a strong preference for undergoing procedures at a plastic surgery clinic in London.

Awareness of Procedures: Around 8.78% of patients who had undergone cosmetic procedures, showed a general hesitance and knowledge lack to such treatments.

Safety Concerns: A majority of respondents expressed concerns about the safety of cosmetic procedures, with many unsure about how to identify qualified practitioners. This highlights a critical gap in public knowledge, as both men and women surveyed showed a lack of understanding regarding safety protocols in cosmetic treatments.

Gender Differences: It was found that the responses also had some variations between the genders as per the survey conducted. Males and females were equally concerned with safety but their attitudes towards procedure were different, females were much more willing to undergo cosmetic procedures.

Non-Surgical Alternatives

In recent years, non-surgical procedures, particularly cosmetic treatments, have gained significant popularity. Options like Botox, dermal fillers, and laser sessions are considered less invasive and come with minimal recovery times. Many people choose to have these procedures done at an aesthetic clinic in London, where they can enjoy convenient outpatient care and minimal downtime.

There are fewer regulations for cosmetic surgeries to perform such non-surgical procedures. This can raise concerns such as efficacy and safety.

Many practitioners offering these services may not have formal medical training, leading to potential complications and unsatisfactory results. The survey results show that almost half of the respondents had considered non-surgical options but were not so sure about the qualifications of the experts offering the services.

Risks and Complications

Cosmetic and plastic surgeries both have their potential risks. According to recent surveys, 77% of people are unaware of the potential risks that a patient can get such as cosmetic procedures, even though they are less invasive still they can lead to complications like scarring, infections, and dissatisfaction with the results.

Plastic surgery on the other hand is way more complex and also it carries risks, particularly in cases of reconstructive surgeries where the stakes are higher. So a patient should know the potential results and complications after the surgeries.

Conclusion

Cosmetic and plastic surgeries are two types of surgeries that are different and people must distinguish between the two. Even though both activities are concerned with improving looks, they achieve this in distinct ways and demand divergent levels of training. The survey done recently in the United Kingdom reveals that the public needs to be educated about the professionals doing these jobs and the dangers that accompany the practice of cosmetic procedures.

With the emergence of many people seeking the services of cosmetic procedures, clients and potential patients should ensure that they acquire adequate information and find professionals in the field of their speciality. In this way, patients will be empowered to make the right decisions concerning cosmetic and plastic surgery.