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Business Insider
4 days ago
- Health
- Business Insider
Would you spend $5,000 to remove your eye bags?
Two years ago, Emily Gordon began taking note of her under eyes. They'd become increasingly prominent, puffy yet hollow, making her feel like she looked "exhausted" and "old" at just 27. At first, she thought sleep, paired with a clean diet and proper skincare regimen, was the solution. Regardless of her efforts, though, the bags persisted. "I'd wake up in the morning, I would see the eye bags, and I would try to avoid mirrors as much as possible," she said. That was until Gordon stumbled upon other women with the same eye bags on TikTok. Instead of just venting about them, they were documenting their lower blepharoplasty, a 90-minute, $5,000 procedure to permanently remove excess skin, fat, or muscle in the lower eyelid — also known as their under-eye bags. Four months later, she got her own bags removed. Now, Gordon loves her appearance — especially her smooth under eyes. "I have no eye bags, my under-eye area looks great, nice and smooth," she said. "I just felt on top of the world and just so happy that I decided to do it in the first place." Gordon is more than two decades younger than the average blepharoplasty patient, who's typically in their 50s and 60s, according to recent data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Still, she isn't an anomaly — Gordon is one of a growing number of women opting for the procedure before turning 30. "A lot of the patients were 30s, 40s, and older. Now, we are seeing more 20s, 30s," said Dr. Pradeep Mettu, a North Carolina-based oculofacial plastic surgeon who specializes in the procedure. "There's no doubt it's shifted to even younger than it was before." Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the United States, and it's only becoming more common. Reports from the ASPS, which use yearly surveys of thousands of board-certified physicians and data from a national plastic-surgery database, reveal the procedure's frequency rose about 18% from 2019 to 2023 alone. Although it's long been a favorite of those over 50 to discreetly address signs of aging, lower blepharoplasty is now growing in popularity among women in their 20s who, like Gordon, are hoping to look more fresh-faced and youthful. The twentysomething blepharoplasty boom Smooth, airbrushed undereyes have been en vogue since far before the invention of filters and Facetune. Concealer advertisements from the 1950s even showed models miraculously aging in reverse after the product was applied to camouflage their dark circles. "We don't want to look tired, stressed, sad, or vulnerable," said Dr. Jeffrey Spiegel, a top Boston plastic surgeon. "All these things are read in the eye." For many 20-somethings opting for the procedure, their undereyes are congenital — meaning they are essentially "born with eye bags," said Mettu. "I see patients commonly in their 20s that tell me 'I've had this my whole life,'" Dr. Ivan Vrcek, a Dallas-based oculoplastic surgeon, said. "It's not about age, it's about anatomy. You could be 50 and not have the problem, or you could be 25 and have the problem worse than a 50-year-old." Although no amount of eye cream or lasers can counteract the genetics responsible for eye bags, surgery can for many. The option has become increasingly attractive as the pendulum swings away from injectables — filler use increased by just 1% in 2024, according to the ASPS — and toward long-lasting procedures. This permanence was what drew Gordon to lower blepharoplasty — she wasn't interested in "Band-Aid" approaches like filler or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. Both require multiple sessions and thus, payments. Filler can run you anywhere from $500 to $1,500 per syringe, and PRP can range from $500 to $2,000 per session of which providers recommend doing at least three. Meanwhile, the average cost of a lower blepharoplasty can be about $5,100 — and it's typically a one-time procedure. In total, Gordon paid $9,500 all-in for her lower blepharoplasty (nearly $900 was for the general anesthesia, under which most surgeons perform the procedure), which she paired with a CO2 laser to tighten and a fat transfer to plump the area — a number that, while high to some, made sense to her. "I was like, 'Oh my gosh, that's a lot of money,'" said Gordon. "But if I were to consider if I did under-eye filler and I would get it touched up once a year for the rest of my life, that, to me, sounded like way more money than doing a surgery." Plus, because the procedure is often done transconjunctivally (meaning the incision is made inside the eyelid), patients typically experience bruising and slight swelling, but no visible scarring, and pain that is often manageable with over-the-counter medications and ice. Immediately after her procedure, besides a haze from the anesthesia, Gordon said she felt "zero pain." "Even the next couple days, I had no pain on my face, which most people are shocked to hear." Most patients are back to work in a week, said Vrcek. "Oftentimes, it's impossible to tell that someone actually had the blepharoplasty," said Chicago-based oculofacial plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Phelps. Lower blepharoplasty's new demographic Vrcek said lower blepharoplasty's popularity has "exploded" in his practice within the past five years. Of the 12 lower blepharoplasties he averages each week, he estimates that half are done on women in their 20s and 30s. Spiegel, a top Boston plastic surgeon, added that he'd seen five patients under the age of 30 for blepharoplasty consultations recently. Mettu said he's seeing a lot more lower-blepharoplasty patients between the ages of 20 and 29 than he has in the past two years — and his youngest is a 20-year-old who traveled to him for this procedure in June. "It is kind of an old-school mindset of, 'This person is too young for surgery,'" said Mettu. "As long as someone's 18 and older, and is cognitively able to have an informed discussion … then I think if they're a good candidate, surgery is reasonable." Lower blepharoplasty's rising popularity is partially thanks to the social media content being posted about it. Gordon's videos on her surgery, for example, have over 7 million views. In 2024, then-28-year-old influencer Madeline White chronicled her experience in several videos, which have garnered almost 14 million views. And since being posted in January, 26-year-old content creator Jas Anahis 's videos about her lower blepharoplasty, done by Mettu, have been viewed over 11 million times. Mettu said he received over 10 consultation requests within 24 hours of Anahis's first video being posted, then more in the weeks that followed. "Many young people didn't realize that lower blepharoplasty was an option for them," he said. "When a popular video comes up, or a transformation video, people see that and they realize what's possible." One of those women was 27-year-old Sugelly Machado. In March, she drove from Connecticut to North Carolina for her lower blepharoplasty with Mettu after coming across Anahis's videos while researching the procedure. "I don't see it as plastic surgery. I just see it as an enhancement." Sugelly Machado, who got a lower blepharoplasty at 27 "I was like, 'I'm getting it,'" Machado said after seeing her video. "There was no doubt in my mind." Machado's eye bags were genetic, and given her age, she knew she didn't want to wait another 20 years to address them. Despite being confident, she said they were her only insecurity. Pre-surgery, she recalls rarely leaving the house without fake lashes or posting on social media without a filter to hide them. "My friends would always be like, 'Oh, your eyes are so puffy,' or 'You look so tired,'" Machado said. "And I'm like, 'I'm not tired. I got eight hours of sleep. I don't know what to tell you.'" Now, three months post-op, Machado has zero regrets. "I can leave the house without putting on makeup," she said. "I genuinely feel beautiful." Machado also shared her blepharoplasty experience on her TikTok account. A video of her before-and-after garnered more than 1.4 million views, and many commenters looked for the details of what she had done. And although she said her goal is never to convince any of her followers to get surgery, sharing the details of her lower blepharoplasty felt different. "I don't see it as plastic surgery," she said. "I just see it as an enhancement." Our eyes matter — a lot The amount of time spent looking at ourselves — in real life and online — is another motivator for these women, said Spiegel. This was the case for 30-year-old Kiana Robinson, who, despite first noticing her "puffy" eye bags back in 2017, hadn't considered surgery until she started working a remote job that required frequent video calls. "I was in a very high-demand job," she said, "and I feel like people were like, 'Are you OK?' 'Have you been crying all night?'" When eye creams and heavy hydration didn't minimize the appearance of her eye bags, Robinson went to Mettu to ask about filler. He suggested lower blepharoplasty instead. She had it done in April. Three months after her surgery, Robinson describes the mental and physical difference as "night and day." "When you see that change, you feel younger," she said. "Perception-wise, you feel healthier." It's no surprise Robinson feels this way — eyes are one of the first areas of the face to show signs of aging. Eye bags rarely shrink with age (or a daily-use serum), and this is especially true for congenital ones, which can worsen with age. "I'm not going to be miserable for 30 years and then determine, 'Maybe I'll look into it," Machado said about her decision to get the procedure in her 20s. "I feel like if the ladies in their 50s had all the resources that we had, they would have done it in their 20s as well." Although younger patients are increasingly showing up for consultations, surgeons note they aren't always agreeing to perform the procedure. "I spend a lot of time telling people, 'You look good, you look normal, you are healthy,'" said Spiegel. "'Ignore what you're seeing online.'" Given the sensitive nature of eyes and their functionality, lower blepharoplasty carries inherent risks — including dry eye and vision changes — which is why surgeons urge prospective patients to do their research. It's also important to rule out potential health issues, like sleep apnea or allergies, which can contribute to prominent eye bags. "People need to be aware that those underlying issues and self-confidence are things that should be worked on in conjunction, and not hanging their whole hat on surgery," Phelps said. Though the procedure has been known to promise long-term results, Phelps also cautions that, as with any surgery, people should be aware of how they're treating their body afterward. For the first two weeks, surgeons typically recommend avoiding strenuous physical activity, alcohol consumption, and makeup. "If you don't take care of your body, you may have a problem with longevity," Phelps said. "But for a person who's taking good care, as they should be, it should last basically forever." Now 29, Gordon is in the midst of planning her 2026 nuptials — an event she is happy to have gotten her surgery done before. "I'm not going to be nervous about my wedding pictures or how my bags look," she said. "Now I'm thinking about a boob job, but that's a different story."
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How A New Generation Of Doctors Are Using Patients' Own Bodies To Fight Wrinkles And Hair Loss
Mention the words "Botox"or "filler," and the image conjured in the mind's eye of many is still one of overfilled duck lips, a frozen, expressionless face, or puffed-up pillow cheeks—the artificial appearance of youth. It's why some people still cringe at the idea of surrendering their face to a cosmetic dermatologist. No one wants to look overdone. Wouldn't it be great, these people may be wondering, if there were alternative treatments that tapped the body's own regenerative processes for softer-looking results? Well, good news: The future is now. Functional medicine doctors are bringing their integrative approach to noninvasive aesthetics, harnessing new technology that uses a patient's own biological material (mostly their blood) and other cutting-edge naturally-derived molecules. Most importantly, these practitioners pride themselves on offering a customized experience that delves deeply into their patients' medical history—not merely an assessment of their visual appearance. 'Comprehensive lab work, an analysis of symptoms, and other diagnostic tools allow us to create a plan that meets you where you are to help you live as vibrantly as possible,' says Raheleh Sarbaziha, MD, an integrative aesthetic physician based in Beverly Hills. It's more like visiting your GP than a dermatologist. Meet the experts: Raheleh Sarbaziha, MD, is an integrative aesthetic physician based in Beverly Hills. Alexander GolBerg, MD, DO, is a double board-certified functional and aesthetic physician in New York City. Nadia Musavvir, ND, is a licensed naturopathic doctor based in Miami. Steven Williams, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Oakland, CA and the immediate past president of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Yes, many of them are still using muscle relaxing injections like botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid fillers—after all, they're effective in the right hands—but the focus is on addressing the root cause of the visible signs of aging rather than just masking them with surface-level fixes. Some of these treatments—stuff like PRP, PRF, NAD+, exosomes, and peptides—may be familiar to you. Some may feel completely foreign. Either way, we've got a bird's eye view into all of these advancements from the physicians leading the charge. Meet the new era of undetectable aesthetics. The guiding philosophy For the uninitiated, functional medicine, which has been around for decades, is characterized by a merging of traditional Western practices with personalized lifestyle recommendations that may encompass a supplement regimen, an anti-inflammatory diet, and IV therapy to treat everything from vague concerns like low energy and brain fog to conditions as varied as anxiety, depression, autoimmune disorders like lupus, and seasonal allergies. The goal is to address what's happening below the surface, rather than focusing solely on symptoms, by tapping the body's natural healing processes. 'Functional medicine is about regaining function and supporting the body so it can operate at optimal levels during all stages of life,' says Dr. Sarbaziha. And that approach extends to the health and vitality of your skin and hair: It's about treating the body as a single, integrated system and rejuvenating the entire system at the cellular level. Hair loss, for example, isn't viewed as just a scalp issue. The goal of the functional medicine doctor is to identify what's happening inside the body that's causing the shedding. A significant piece of this puzzle is the idea that when your mitochondria—the energy centers of each cell—are firing on all cylinders, your body functions more efficiently, says Alexander GolBerg, MD, DO, a double board-certified functional and aesthetic physician in New York City. 'When the body can produce sufficient energy and heal properly, it also improves skin health,' he says. Just as important as optimally functioning mitochondria is a healthy gut. 'This is so key because when the gut is healthy, it's reflected in the skin,' says Dr. Sarbaziha. 'When inflammation is low, hair starts to regrow. When hormones are balanced, your mood, energy, and glow return. Everything in the body is connected, part of the same ecosystem.' The fact that you'll leave these offices looking better is almost a by-product rather than an end goal. 'As we improve and optimize cellular function, we also improve appearance,' says Nadia Musavvir, ND, a licensed naturopathic doctor based in Miami. 'Reducing systemic inflammation, for example, tends to lead to decreased redness and puffiness and a slower rate of collagen breakdown.' A new approach to aging. For the most part, traditional cosmetic treatments performed by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon are focused on improving visible changes that have already occurred. They've got it backward, according to functional medicine doctors. 'With traditional anti-aging procedures, the internal reasons for changes in the skin are not addressed,' Dr. Musavvir says. 'I have patients who've done aesthetic procedures, and although they may look younger than their chronological age, their cellular age is older.' It's a nuance that's not addressed during a routine Botox appointment, but will likely be the focus of a consult with a functional aesthetics doctor. You'll discuss your skin and hair concerns and goals and, after a physical assessment, be bombarded with questions about your medical history, lifestyle, and current skincare routine. From there, baseline blood work, a hormone panel, and nutrient testing will be ordered to devise a unique-to-you treatment plan. 'We're not trying to simply freeze or fill away the signs of aging; we're working with the body to address them internally too,' explains Dr. Sarbaziha. That's not to say fillers and neurotoxin injections aren't on the menu—they're just typically combined with regenerative treatments like peptides, polynucleotides, exosomes, and platelet-rich plasma and fibrin (PRP and PRF). 'We want to stimulate collagen, improve blood flow, support skin structure, and reduce inflammation, leading to more harmonious, sustainable results that are rooted in good health—not just cosmetic change,' says Dr. Sarbaziha. It's an approach that's generating buzz, but not everyone is sold—mostly because the science on some of these newer treatments isn't all that solid. 'It's easy for patients and providers to get swept up in claims about miracles,' says Steven Williams, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Oakland, CA and the immediate past president of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). 'While some of these therapies are backed by rigorous science, others are just wishful thinking. It's important to be honest about the limitations." The functional aesthetics toolkit. Though every protocol is different, there are a few things that typically pop up in the repertoire of a functional aesthetics provider. These are a few of the most common, all focused on enhancing the health and appearance of the skin and hair. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) Two of the most popular treatments for enhancing the look of skin and improving hair loss are PRP and PRF. The former is so well-substantiated, it's become commonplace in the offices of traditional cosmetic dermatologists across the country—even Dr. Williams is a fan. Both PRP and PRF involve a simple blood draw, which is then spun down to extract the platelets that are injected into the scalp or face to do their job. While they can be done on their own, PRP and PRF are often used along with microneedling and laser tightening to help speed up the healing process. PRF is considered a second-generation platelet concentrate technology, and research shows it can produce higher levels of tissue-regenerating growth factors that are released in a more prolonged way. While four PRP or PRF treatments are typically recommended to combat hair loss, 'results for thinning can be seen after the second treatment, with hair quality changes normally setting in around the three- to six-month mark,' says Dr. GolBerg. When it comes to skin, both are known to stimulate collagen and elastin and can be used under the eyes to help brighten and in the cheeks, temples, and nasolabial folds for more fullness. 'PRP floods the tissue with growth factors that signal repair, boost collagen production, and improve skin texture,' says Dr. Williams. 'It's not magic; it's cellular logistics. If you want skin that glows, this is where to start.' Exosomes Think of these extracellular vesicles, which can be derived from human stem cells or biomimetic plant material, as tiny shuttles that travel deep into skin where they help cells communicate with one another to stimulate growth and healing. Rich in growth factors, exosomes can be used on the scalp to encourage thicker, healthier hair, or to improve skin quality. For the most part, they're injected (or used topically) alongside microneedling, PRP, or PRF. But note: Exosomes are not FDA-approved, so they remain a somewhat ambiguous area in the world of aesthetics. NAD+ An abbreviation for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD+ is often referred to the ultimate anti-aging IV cocktail remedy. It's a coenzyme that's present in all the cells in our body, and research shows it assists with energy production, DNA repair, and overall cellular health. It also naturally declines with age, which is why functional medicine doctors try to get more into the body in the form of IV drips, topical products, and supplements. The theory goes that 'by optimizing NAD+ levels, cellular health and function are restored, which is reflected by less collagen breakdown, fewer gray hairs, and reduced hair loss,' says Dr. Mussavir. While many of these therapies are used on their own, another key tenet of the functional aesthetic philosophy is to stack or combine regenerative treatments to produce more dramatic results. Dr. GolBerg's Signature Lift, for example, relies upon a combination of Botox, collagen-stimulating PDO threads, and PRF to sculpt, lift, tighten, and rejuvenate. He insists the results are comparable to a surgical facelift—without the downtime. The future is bright (and firm). If any—or all—of this sounds appealing, it's important to find a vetted expert. 'A practitioner who doesn't know what to look for will just recommend the buzziest supplement or treatment and get limited results,' says Dr. Musavvir. That's why it's crucial to find someone qualified, experienced, and educated in functional and aesthetic medicine. Many functional aesthetic therapies are still in their infancy and not FDA approved, so it's important to grill your provider about the science to find someone who uses these treatments responsibly. And while the crossroads of aesthetic and functional medicine are still being paved, the promise of natural-looking results by less invasive means is appealing—and is changing the way many people look at cosmetic tweaks. 'At the very least, it's clear to me that people want more than just filling, cutting, and freezing,' says Dr. Williams. But, he cautions, buyer beware: 'In a world that thrives on innovation, it's tempting to chase the new thing. But when it comes to your face, stick with what's been proven—people deserve results rooted in evidence, not alchemy." You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
Bangkok Post
24-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Brokerage sees Thai equities recovering
Thai equities are expected to recover in the second half of 2025, supported by expansionary fiscal measures, a more accommodative monetary policy stance and key earnings drivers, according to Asia Plus Securities (ASPS). According to Therdsak Thaveeteeratham, ASPS's executive vice-president, the government's forthcoming fiscal stimulus -- likely to follow the approval of the 2026 annual budget -- combined with anticipated policy rate cuts, could improve market sentiment. ASPS estimates that each 25-basis-point rate cut could lift the SET Index by around 70 points. "The timing is now appropriate for a rate cut. Given the current economic conditions, we expect 1-2 policy rate reductions this year, each of which could act as a catalyst for the equity market," Mr Therdsak noted. ASPS also sees additional upside from specific corporate catalysts. These include the anticipated mid-August relisting of Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) and a major strategic transaction by Siam Cement Group (SCC). Both are expected to help push the SET's earnings per share (EPS) above 90 baht in 2025. The broader economic environment also supports policy easing. Bond yields have declined, the baht has strengthened, and traditional growth drivers -- especially exports -- have weakened. ASPS also cautioned that the risk of higher US import tariffs on Thai goods could further dampen export momentum in the latter half of 2025. Key external risks to monitor include ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East -- currently subdued -- and the Thai-Cambodian border dispute, which has de-escalated into a "social media war". Domestically, political uncertainty is unlikely to obstruct passage of the 2026 budget, and markets appear to have already priced in much of the concern over potential US trade retaliation. However, final clarity on US tariff rates for each country remains crucial. If Thailand ends up with a higher tariff burden than regional peers, it could slip into a technical recession, potentially triggering more aggressive fiscal and monetary responses. Despite these concerns, ASPS believes export-related earnings risks are manageable. In the worst-case scenario, US tariffs would reduce total revenue for four key export sectors -- agriculture, food, petrochemicals and electronics -- by 3.1% and profits by only 1.1%. According to ASPS, fears that the SET Index could plunge to a new low near 1,056 points have likely passed. Nonetheless, elevated tariffs could deter foreign direct investment. "If Thailand remains at a 36% tariff rate while Vietnam and Indonesia are at 20% and 19%, respectively, we may lose competitiveness in attracting new investment. That said, there's still a sizeable pool of Board of Investment-approved projects in the pipeline, which should sustain investment activity for some time," Mr Therdsak added. ASPS expects listed companies to post flat earnings on a quarterly basis in the second quarter of 2025, with total profits of around 262 billion baht. For the full year, earnings are projected at 1.06 trillion baht, or 86 baht per share, representing 17% year-on-year growth. Sectors likely to show sustained third-quarter momentum include electronics, healthcare, property and transportation. Investor sentiment is also improving. Thai listed companies have repurchased shares worth 24 billion baht year-to-date, matching the total recorded for the whole of 2024, signalling renewed corporate confidence. Meanwhile, margin call pressures have eased, with margin loan balances declining to pre-Covid levels, suggesting reduced risk of forced selling. Thailand's stock market has staged a strong rebound, delivering the best returns globally over the past month. This momentum increases the likelihood that MSCI and FTSE will raise Thailand's weighting in their August reviews -- potentially attracting further foreign inflows. ASPS maintains a conservative year-end SET Index target of 1,376 points, based on an EPS estimate of 86 baht and a policy rate of 1.75%. With the index currently trading in the 1,140–1,170 range, there is significant upside potential. The firm recommends a diversified investment strategy, with a focus on high-dividend-yield stocks across multiple sectors.
Bangkok Post
23-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
ASPS sees Thai equities recovering
Thai equities are expected to recover in the second half of 2025, supported by expansionary fiscal measures, a more accommodative monetary policy stance and key earnings drivers, according to Asia Plus Securities (ASPS). According to Therdsak Thaveeteeratham, ASPS's executive vice-president, the government's forthcoming fiscal stimulus -- likely to follow the approval of the 2026 annual budget -- combined with anticipated policy rate cuts, could improve market sentiment. ASPS estimates that each 25-basis-point rate cut could lift the SET Index by around 70 points. "The timing is now appropriate for a rate cut. Given the current economic conditions, we expect 1-2 policy rate reductions this year, each of which could act as a catalyst for the equity market," Mr Therdsak noted. ASPS also sees additional upside from specific corporate catalysts. These include the anticipated mid-August relisting of Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) and a major strategic transaction by Siam Cement Group (SCC). Both are expected to help push the SET's earnings per share (EPS) above 90 baht in 2025. The broader economic environment also supports policy easing. Bond yields have declined, the baht has strengthened, and traditional growth drivers -- especially exports -- have weakened. ASPS also cautioned that the risk of higher US import tariffs on Thai goods could further dampen export momentum in the latter half of 2025. Key external risks to monitor include ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East -- currently subdued -- and the Thai-Cambodian border dispute, which has de-escalated into a "social media war". Domestically, political uncertainty is unlikely to obstruct passage of the 2026 budget, and markets appear to have already priced in much of the concern over potential US trade retaliation. However, final clarity on US tariff rates for each country remains crucial. If Thailand ends up with a higher tariff burden than regional peers, it could slip into a technical recession, potentially triggering more aggressive fiscal and monetary responses. Despite these concerns, ASPS believes export-related earnings risks are manageable. In the worst-case scenario, US tariffs would reduce total revenue for four key export sectors -- agriculture, food, petrochemicals and electronics -- by 3.1% and profits by only 1.1%. According to ASPS, fears that the SET Index could plunge to a new low near 1,056 points have likely passed. Nonetheless, elevated tariffs could deter foreign direct investment. "If Thailand remains at a 36% tariff rate while Vietnam and Indonesia are at 20% and 19%, respectively, we may lose competitiveness in attracting new investment. That said, there's still a sizeable pool of Board of Investment-approved projects in the pipeline, which should sustain investment activity for some time," Mr Therdsak added. ASPS expects listed companies to post flat earnings on a quarterly basis in the second quarter of 2025, with total profits of around 262 billion baht. For the full year, earnings are projected at 1.06 trillion baht, or 86 baht per share, representing 17% year-on-year growth. Sectors likely to show sustained third-quarter momentum include electronics, healthcare, property and transportation. Investor sentiment is also improving. Thai listed companies have repurchased shares worth 24 billion baht year-to-date, matching the total recorded for the whole of 2024, signalling renewed corporate confidence. Meanwhile, margin call pressures have eased, with margin loan balances declining to pre-Covid levels, suggesting reduced risk of forced selling. Thailand's stock market has staged a strong rebound, delivering the best returns globally over the past month. This momentum increases the likelihood that MSCI and FTSE will raise Thailand's weighting in their August reviews -- potentially attracting further foreign inflows. ASPS maintains a conservative year-end SET Index target of 1,376 points, based on an EPS estimate of 86 baht and a policy rate of 1.75%. With the index currently trading in the 1,140–1,170 range, there is significant upside potential. The firm recommends a diversified investment strategy, with a focus on high-dividend-yield stocks across multiple sectors.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Demand for Noninvasive Fat Reduction Is Plummeting
Huy Luong This article is based on a piece that originally ran on Jolene Edgar's Substack, Aesthetics Unfiltered. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons' (ASPS) annual trend-spotting report has arrived, plotting the popularity of plastic surgery and noninvasive procedures. Every year, it analyzes key shifts in aesthetic medicine—and never fails to provide a juicy surprise or two. The 2024 installment that just came out had a few highlights: Demand for cosmetic interventions mostly held steady across the surgical and minimally invasive categories, without any major spikes. While facelifts and related glow-ups like brow lifts and lip lifts dominated on social media, the most popular plastic surgery procedures in ORs were actually butt and thigh lifts and, interestingly enough, cheek implants, each recording a three percent uptick from the previous year. In the nonsurgical realm, neuromodulators (like Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport) and hyaluronic acid fillers (such as Restylane and Juvéderm) claimed the top two spots, respectively. Next up, people were getting more skin resurfacing treatments (peels, lasers, microdermabrasion), which came in third, up six percent from 2023. What caught my eye, though, was a far bigger number in the % CHANGE 2024 vs 2023 column: negative 40%. It's the data equivalent of a free fall, and it was attached to the number of noninvasive fat reduction procedures—CoolSculpting, Vanquish, Kybella, and the like—performed by plastic surgeons year-over-year. They fell from 745,967 in 2023 to 447,581 in 2024. What's most surprising about the drop-off, according to some doctors, is the sheer fact that it took so long to transpire. When I posted on Instagram about the rapid decline, plastic surgeons replied with comments like, 'Finally!' and 'Thank god!' Consider the track record of these treatments—some are as famous for complications as results—and factor in the Ozempic phenomenon, and you can perhaps see why these methods for freezing or heating or otherwise killing fat cells have begun to fall from favor. Noninvasive fat reduction procedures are down 40%, the data equivalent of a free fall. Bob Basu, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Houston and the president-elect of the ASPS, attributes what he calls the 'steep decline' to both the GLP-1 boom and what he sees as the modern patient's bang-for-buck mentality. 'The rise of GLP-1 medications for weight loss has fundamentally changed the landscape,' Dr. Basu says. By targeting visceral fat—'the deep intra-abdominal fat [cushioning our organs] that no plastic surgery or device can reach,' he explains—these drugs deliver wholly transformative results. And since people who lose considerable weight are typically left with loose, hanging skin, they're shifting focus to refining their shape and tightening their skin with both surgical nips and tucks as well as minimally invasive skin-tightening modalities, he says. (These can include radiofrequency treatments, like Renuvion and BodyTite.) In addition to performing surgical lifts to remove excess tissue from the arms, thighs, breasts, back, and abdomen, 'we're very busy doing liposuction in patients who've lost significant quantities of fat with the GLP-1s,' says Darren Smith, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City. Why would someone who's already slimmed down need lipo? 'These are very nuanced cases, where [the patient] has lost a bunch of weight, but there's still a fat deposit with a complex anatomy that requires a customized approach,' he explains. This person might want to remove stubborn fat—from, say, the hips or thighs—that persists even after they lose weight on a GLP-1, for example. Also, lipo is generally about contouring, not strictly debulking. While nonsurgical fat-reducing treatments—which aim to destroy fat cells so the body can then eliminate them—'can be effective for small, localized areas,' notes Dr. Basu, 'they often require multiple sessions and don't address skin laxity or significant volume loss [that comes with taking a GLP-1].' He believes this puts them at a disadvantage with today's 'value-conscious' patients who, 'in the wake of ongoing economic uncertainty,' are more carefully weighing the risks and rewards of cosmetic procedures. While every cosmetic intervention poses some degree of risk, CoolSculpting has made headlines for its complications. One of the more serious risks of the fat-freezing technology is paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH), which is marked by fat growth in treatment areas. While PAH was first reported in 2014, it didn't achieve mainstream notoriety until 2021 when Linda Evangelista shared what she called her 'brutally disfigur[ing]' experience with CoolSculpting and sued the makers of the device for $50 million in damages. In a time of economic uncertainty, patients are more carefully weighing the risks and rewards of cosmetic procedures. A potentially devastating complication, PAH presents as abnormal bulges—usually hard, sometimes painful, and frequently shaped like the device applicator. Its victims typically see their treatment areas shrink as expected, but then, weeks later, grow bigger than they were pre-freeze. The only fix for PAH is surgery—energy-assisted liposuction and/or a tummy tuck—to address the fibrotic fat (a firm type of fat that can be challenging to remove) and restore normal contours. The incidence of PAH is low, but thought by some to be underreported. 'While one review [of more than 2,000 CoolSculpting patients] cited [PAH] rates ranging from 0.05% to 0.39%—compared to the manufacturer's noted rate of 0.025%—even these values are likely artificially low due to underreporting and other factors,' says board-certified New York City plastic surgeon Alan Matarasso, MD. Some patients don't report the problem, assuming they simply gained weight after the procedure. It's easy to imagine this scenario unfolding in cases where patients haven't been briefed on the risks of CoolSculpting prior to treatment. While the informed consent process is standard in doctors' offices, this review of risks and benefits may be skipped altogether when CoolSculpting is performed in a med spa or salon. 'CoolSculpting, rightfully, has gotten some very bad press, and the risks associated with it have become much more apparent, so I think people are less likely to perceive it as this risk-free way to have body contouring,' says Dr. Smith. 'Not only are fewer people turning to CoolSculpting [due to the risks], even in a vacuum, but very few post GLP-1 weight-loss patients are good candidates for the procedure,' he continues. 'And since CoolSculpting does, or did, account for such a large proportion of the noninvasive fat-removal market, that will account for a significant portion of the overall decline' in the category. Allure reached out to the manufacturers of CoolSculpting, who did not send a comment by press time. In 2024, Dr. Smith co-authored the largest case series of PAH to date. Published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal (ASJ), the paper details the cases of 33 patients with the complication. All required power-assisted liposuction, which pairs vibration with suction for more efficient fat removal; one patient, who'd undergone six rounds of CoolSculpting, needed a tummy tuck in addition to lipo. Twenty-eight percent of study subjects required multiple surgeries to correct their PAH. The study highlights the case of a 30-year-old, who developed PAH after having her inner thighs treated at a med spa. When she returned to the spa for help, the technician attempted to solve the problem with the only tools at her disposal—more CoolSculpting plus two rounds of fat-dissolving deoxycholic acid injections (aka Kybella). When those interventions failed, the woman took it upon herself to consult with a plastic surgeon about a more effective strategy for correcting PAH: Surgery, the very thing she was aiming to avoid when she signed up for CoolSculpting. 'It is unfortunate and ironic that patients seeking a noninvasive body contouring treatment are those left with potentially severe contour deformities necessitating aggressive surgical management for resolution,' Dr. Matarasso says. If you're considering CoolSculpting or any noninvasive fat reduction procedure, it's best to see an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist, who acknowledges all of the potential risks and complications and is fully equipped to manage them should they occur. Read more about body contouring and plastic surgery: The Most Popular Plastic Surgery Procedure Says a Lot About Our Culture Right Now 17 People Get Real About Their Mommy Makeovers Linda Evangelista Shared the First Photos of Her Body Following a Cosmetic Procedure Gone Wrong Originally Appeared on Allure
