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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Should a Face-lift Cost $3,000—or $300,000?
The true cost of a face-lift is increasingly difficult to pin down. The face-lift—once the embarrassing butt of Joan Rivers jokes and the well-kept secret of society types—is now unabashedly normal. With prominent women including Kris Jenner and Barbara Corcoran, as well as more everyday types publicly copping to surgery, face-lifts have become a collective obsession in 2025. And with that comes rampant speculation about their price. Should a Face-lift Cost $3,000—or $300,000? 'The most common question that we get is, 'How much is this going to cost?'' said Dr. Anthony Youn, a plastic surgeon in the suburbs of Detroit. It's a question that's increasingly difficult to answer. The range in prices for face-lifts is extreme, with cheap jobs in Turkey, Mexico and Brazil running as little as $3,000, and some of the most elite New York City and Los Angeles surgeons charging over $300,000. Befuddled by the gulf in prices, women flock to social media, group chats and whispered confabs to debate whether you get what you pay for—or if the luxury jobs are a case of The Emperor's New Face. 'It's bananas, truly,' said Melinda A. Farina, the founder of consultancy Beauty Brokers Inc., which advises patients on cosmetic procedures and doctors. 'I know doctors who charge $12,000 for a deep-plane face-lift, and I know doctors who charge $350,000 for a deep-plane face-lift.' 'Face-lift' is a blanket term for several procedures that might perk up the face, often done in combination with one another. Someone might get a lower face-lift combined with a blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), or a 'mini lift,' a less invasive procedure that tends to focus on the lower face. SMAS face-lifts target the superficial muscle and tissue layers, while a deep plane involves complex deep dissection. Surgery prices can be opaque. Most of the doctors I spoke with were hesitant to put a simple price tag on services, given differences in anatomy and complexity. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons quotes the average American face-lift as $11,395 for the fee alone, which can result in a total cost between $20,000 and $50,000 with anesthesia and facility costs. Where you get the work done matters. Anesthesia and operating room fees tend to be cheaper internationally, and in more rural areas. An American woman named Michelle Wood recently went viral documenting her face-lift and recovery in Guadalajara, Mexico, which cost about $15,000. American doctors tend to be wary of budget jobs abroad, especially in regard to risks and recovery. Six-figure face-lifts are largely a New York City and Los Angeles phenomenon. Perhaps no one has done more for the 2025 luxury face-lift than Jenner. Jenner confirmed she had a face-lift with Dr. Steven Levine, a top New York surgeon whose face-lifts can get easily into the six figures. Levine's office, which did not respond to requests for comment, has been bombarded by face-lift hopefuls since Jenner. High prices can be a way of managing inbound requests, said Farina. She said she noticed prices rising during Covid, when more people staring at their own faces on Zoom meant more demand for procedures that doctors couldn't immediately satisfy. 'I think the increase in prices was more of a deterrent. Like if we raise the fees, that's going to eliminate the less desirable patient pool that we want to bring into our practice.' Covid was also a turning point when doctors became more active on social media, raising their profile and, in turn, prices, according to Farina and Youn. Big press moments or celebrity endorsements can also send a doctor's prices upward. Kris Jenner confirmed she had a face-lift with Dr. Steven Levine, a top New York surgeon whose face-lifts can get easily into the six figures. So do you get what you pay for? There isn't a straightforward answer. 'The price doesn't always match the level and expertise that goes into the surgery—but often it can,' said Dr. Ashkan Ghavami, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills. Ghavami offers multiple levels of face-lifts at his office, with the most complex interventions generally getting into the six figures. 'Certain procedures and techniques are definitely worth it,' he said. 'People are paying $50 to $75k for a purse they could lose, and you're asking to pay maybe $100,000, $150,000 for the right face-lift technique—It is your entire face.' Dr. Lara Devgan, a New York City plastic surgeon whose surgical schedule books out a year in advance, said it was difficult to discuss pricing because what we call a face-lift could involve several smaller procedures. Together, these procedures could fall somewhere in the $100,000 to $350,000 range at her office, resulting in what she calls a 'very beautiful, ineffable, indescribable' outcome. Ghavami said there was also an element of self-selecting prestige at the upper level of plastic surgery. 'It's a little bit like the Hamptons, the country-club thing. It's kind of an elite club—these doctors can't be open to the public.' Plenty of Americans who want plastic surgery but don't care about being part of an elite club are getting face-lifts in the United States. One of the rare surgeons who posts his prices on his website, Youn in Detroit charges around $25,000 for a face-lift. He said patients wait over a year to see him. Marilyn McKenna, a 55-year-old personal trainer in the Seattle area, said she had a ballpark idea of spending around $50,000 on her Los Angeles face-lift with Dr. Daniel Gould. She ended up paying $45,900, and was happy with the result. 'I buy my workout clothes at Old Navy, but I'm not really trying to save money on a face-lift,' she said. The costs of a face-lift don't end when the surgeon cleans her scalpel. While many choose to recuperate at home with the help of family and friends, one can also opt for round-the-clock private nursing, which can run $100 an hour or more. Kelly Greytok, an in-demand private recovery nurse who said 95% of her business is face-lift patients, charges $300 and up an hour. She travels everywhere in the U.S. and internationally, and will stay with patients for a minimum of three days. She said for one recent Midwestern job, the patient spent more on the nursing services than the face-lift itself. Luxury postoperative care centers are thriving, especially in the tony parts of Los Angeles. Many are linked with hotels, and have the ability to whisk celebrities and high-profile patients directly in through discreet entrances. One, Immortelle, operates out of the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills with pricing starting at $3200 per night for services including concierge pharmacy services, reiki therapy and lymphatic massages. Prices aren't likely to stabilize anytime soon. Budget jobs and ultraluxury procedures, as well as the public's fascination with them, will continue to proliferate. 'You'd never write an article about how much it costs to renovate a kitchen,' said Devgan, pointing out that a kitchen renovation could mean replacing the microwave or 'gutting the whole thing with Carrara marble.' Write to Rory Satran at
Business Insider
6 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."
NZ Herald
03-08-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
How Botox went middle-class
Dubrow, who is married to the Real Housewives of Orange County star Heather Dubrow, still remembers a time when talking about Botox was 'verboten': 'Nobody would admit to [using] it.' But that moment has disappeared like a stubborn facial line under a good injector's needle. 'Botox is so ubiquitous,' Dubrow said. 'It's almost like, if you look older, if you don't do Botox, what does that say about you?' 'It's not even about vanity anymore,' he added. 'It's like having agency over ageing in a weird way.' Botox has gone from a niche beauty treatment to a blockbuster phenomenon. With medical spas and Botox bars proliferating from city to city, a procedure that was once performed only on the doyennes of the 1%, in the secrecy of a plastic surgeon's office, is now accessible to anyone with a few hundred dollars and a dream of line-free skin. 'It's just become something that people do, just like they get a manicure,' said sociologist Dana Berkowitz, who is the author of Botox Nation: Changing the Face of America. 'Obviously it's a little more intrusive or invasive, but it's become so normalised and just so casual ... it's just a routine.' The stats bear this out. A 2024 report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons shows that US injectors performed more than 9.8 million procedures using neuromodulators (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau and Daxxify) that year, up 4% over 2023, which the organisation had dubbed 'the year of Botox'. Compare that with the pre-covid 2019 report, which shows roughly 5 million neuromodulator injections in the US – in five years, demand has almost doubled. 'It's now so normal in American culture that patients mention it as casually as running an errand to the store or post office,' the 2023 report noted, confirming that Botox has become a catch-all word for an entire category of products, like Kleenex or Xerox. It wasn't always like this. Berkowitz attributes this current moment to 'the rise of medical spas, the very aggressive marketing from Allergan [Botox's Big Pharma manufacturer], this circulating discourse that Botox is preventative and that seduces younger and younger users.' Now, more and more women – and yes, the 2024 ASPS report states that 94% of patients are women, even still – see Botox as a regular part of their overall aesthetic maintenance, like bikini waxes or balayage. 'It's really changed the way we think about how we quote, unquote, treat the appearance of ageing on the face,' Berkowitz said. Like practically any beauty trend of the 21st century, you can't talk about Botox without bringing up celebrities. Celebrities are what sculptures probably were to the ancient Greeks: uncannily, gorgeously smooth. Glossy. Lineless. Until recently, an A-lister would never admit to meddling with her looks, maintaining the illusion of her natural aesthetic superiority. But somehow, Botox has crept into the cultural lexicon enough that even the most venerated among us are copping to it. In an interview with Allure magazine in 2022, Kim Kardashian – who, with her sisters, is often credited-slash-blamed for the rise of plastic-surgery-coded 'Instagram face' – nevertheless insisted that the only invasive treatment she had on her face was 'a little bit of Botox'. It's the same with Lindsay Lohan, who has been the subject of a rolling tide of plastic surgery rumours since she stepped out looking remarkably youthful for the Our Little Secret movie press tour in late 2024. This past May, Lohan did an interview with Elle magazine in which she attributed her flawless complexion to skin care, juicing and pickled beets. Oh, and Botox. 'Everyone does Botox,' said Lohan, who turned 39 this month. Lindsay Lohan attends a special screening for Our Little Secret. Photo / Getty Images There was a time, not too long ago, when accusing a celebrity of using Botox was like calling them out for something sinister. In 2011, a then-25-year-old Megan Fox uploaded a carousel of selfies to her Facebook page in which she grimaced and furrowed, showing off her forehead lines for the camera. It was a response to rumours that the actress had succumbed to the lure of the needle. Fox called the gallery 'Things you can't do with your face when you have Botox'. Flash-forward to March 2024, when Fox sat across from Call Her Daddy host Alex Cooper and broke down her list of cosmetic enhancements, which include multiple breast augmentations, a rhinoplasty, Botox and filler. What happened in between? Most actors and influencers aren't as forthcoming as Fox – even with a sudden spate of honesty from the Kardashian-Jenners, the Lohan model of deflection still reigns. But Dana Omari says that the reason these women are 'fessing up to Botox is because, 'Now, celebrities can't rely on our total ignorance and so they have to give a little bit of something.' She's referring to wider awareness of the menu of cosmetic treatments, which is thanks in part to social media content like hers. Omari, who has more than 250,000 followers on Instagram, started her account in early 2019 and posts side-by-side photos of celebrities, breaking down the work she thinks they've had done, often wielding the word 'allegedly' to comedic effect. The dietitian and former consultation manager at a medical spa said that notable women – among them the Today show's Jill Martin, dancer Allison Holker and actress Allison Williams – have picked up on the fact that sharing details from their dermatological diaries isn't a liability anymore. 'I think that they are kind of realising that this makes them more relatable,' Omari explained. 'And Botox is a really safe one [to admit to] because it's not permanent, it's just a little quick injectable, you know?' Reality television has paved the way for this era, from a burgers-and-Botox-themed open house on a 2020 episode of Selling Sunset to the cast of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives getting Botox (and, controversially, laughing gas) together in the first season, which aired in 2024. 'It's no longer taboo,' Omari said definitively. 'Botox is no longer the thing that people are afraid to talk about. It's more ubiquitous.' The stars of reality shows, from Heidi Montag to Bre Tiesi, have also adjusted our collective eyeballs to the vision of an unmoving face. A 2006 episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County, in which a then-43-year-old Vicki Gunvalson gets Botox for the first time – in her kitchen, while yelling, 'I don't like this' – might as well be a historical newsreel, for how distant that world seems. Case in point: Omari said that in the six years her page has been up and running, she has posted multiple photos suggesting that Taylor Swift may have had subtle work done, including Botox. The first time, her followers were enraged. 'My page was in shambles, it was being reported, it was a miserable day,' she said. Nobody wanted to believe that Swift, 'the girl next door,' would answer the siren call of the syringe, Omari explained: 'The girl next door does not get Botox.' But now that the procedure is so much more mainstream, the response is different. 'I posted her more recently, and while I did get some negative comments, a lot were like, 'Yeah, she's 34, 35,'' Omari said. Botox, which is a purified form of the deadly bacteria Clostridium botulinum, was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration for cosmetic use in 2002. For all of the ways we've acclimatised to widespread Botox use, it's easy to forget that it carries risks, including iatrogenic botulism, which is when the toxin spreads beyond the injection site – a rare but potentially life-threatening complication. Like so many paradigm-shifting drugs, Botox was developed to address health concerns; in this case, excessive blinking and strabismus, or crossed eyes. It was approved by the FDA for these ophthalmologic conditions in 1989. Its ability to all but erase wrinkles was a happy discovery, and by the 1990s upscale dermatologists and plastic surgeons were offering off-label Botox services. 'I started my private practice in 1998, and that's pretty much when I started [providing] Botox,' said Doris Day, a dermatologist on New York's Upper East Side with a 270,000-strong Instagram following. 'And in the beginning – we still laugh about it with my patients – I would be so nervous [injecting it]. … I wasn't worried about hurting anyone in terms of their health, but I didn't want to cause a brow droop or other side effects.' Day describes neuromodulators as 'tools to help people age in a youthful, healthy way'. Nonetheless, she disagrees with some of the marketing and the wider discourse surrounding the drug. 'These [pharmaceutical] companies … they train people to start hating their lines,' she said. This causes customers to seek out bargain Botox or, worse, engage in dangerous TikTok trends like 'Backyard Botox'. 'I think it has become so commoditised,' Day continued. 'Every corner salon and med spa and even hair salons are offering it … and then it becomes a race to the bottom in terms of pricing.' And when you go to inexperienced injectors, you get what you pay for, Day warned: 'It's like going to fast-food takeout. You're not going to get the quality.' Carolyn Treasure, who co-founded the New York City-based Botox bar Peachy in 2019, wants to democratise neuromodulators – without compromising on results. 'Botox, or neuromodulators, are getting taken out of the cosmetic bucket and getting integrated into the skin care bucket,' Treasure said. To make the drug more accessible, Peachy – which also has locations in Austin, Chicago and DC – offers a flat-rate price of US$425 ($720) for unlimited units of Xeomin or Jeuveau (brand-name Botox costs US$150 more). 'I really wanted to eliminate any perceived trust gap,' Treasure said of the decision to charge customers this way. 'Meaning what Peachy … is recommending to you is absolutely in your best interest based off of your goals, your anatomy, etc.' Treasure credits the 'Zoom boom' for the company's success, as well as Gen Z's openness to – as well as about – aesthetic intervention. 'I feel like Gen Z's take on it is: 'It's your body, do what you want, but just be honest about it. Don't be disingenuous,'' she said. But according to Berkowitz, no amount of honesty or even expanded accessibility can change the fact that the heyday of cosmetic Botox speaks to the underlying, and stubbornly persistent problem, of social inequality. 'If you look at it through that lens, then the story is not a happy one,' said Berkowitz, the 'Botox Nation' author. When wrinkles have become increasingly optional for customers who have the means to eradicate them, 'You wear your social class on your face.' Like the vast majority of beauty standards, it's affluent women who feel most compelled to conform, versus the relative freedom of their male counterparts. 'The irony is that it's privileged women who feel the weight of their ageing bodies most,' Berkowitz said of the pressure to look younger. Berkowitz doesn't judge anyone who avails themselves of Botox, even when studies show that neuromodulators can dampen emotional responses in users, and that expressive faces are actually more likeable. 'Women are supposed to look like effortless perfection,' Berkowitz said of the cultural messaging that has led us here. 'I don't want to blame an individual woman for doing what she's been told to do since birth, basically.'
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Why is Brazilian Butt Lift trending? From BBL smell to infection, know its side effects
The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is back in news. This elective surgical procedure, which combines liposuction with fat injection for buttock augmentation, appeals to many seeking to enhance their body contours. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the number of BBLs performed in the US saw a 90 percent spike from 2015 to 2019. But it doesn't come without its set of repercussions. Media reports suggest TikTok users have been complaining about a specific 'BBL smell', likely caused by tissue death and unhygienic practices, per a US-based doctor. brazilian butt lift (BBL)(INSTAGRAM) BBL involves a smelly process called 'fat necrosis', which leads to fatty tissue in the buttocks to die following surgery. This can be an indicator that a patient was overfilled with fat during the procedure, Chicago-based expert Dr Eric Anderson, explained to DailyMail. Another expert, plastic surgeon Dr Roger Tsai, explained how poor hygiene practices - especially due to inability to reach the larger buttock area post-surgery - may lead to BBL smell. This BBL side effect is also in news due to rapper Cardi B. She underwent the surgery in 2018, and shared her experience with the procedure. Now that there are rumours that Cardi B may have broken off with NFL star Stefon Diggs, his fans are wondering on social media if the BBL smell may be one of the factors. Jokes aside, BBL smell is also associated with extreme pain and more complications. In fact, Wildelis Rosa, a 26-year-old police officer died after the BBL surgery, pointing out at significant risks that potential candidates must consider. The rising trend of Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBL) Brazilian culture places a high value on body aesthetics, favouring an hourglass figure characterised by fuller hips and buttocks. Over the years, media, fashion, and fitness influencers have perpetuated this ideal, significantly influencing public perception and desires regarding body shape, says cosmetic surgeon Dr Mandeep Singh, Head of Department - Paras Health. He helps us explore why BBLs are trending and the possible side effects associated with the procedure. Social media influence: Platforms like Instagram and TikTok amplify beauty standards, showcasing celebrities and influencers who have undergone BBLs. Star endorsements from figures like Cardi B, Kim Kardashian, and Nene Leakes create a buzz, encouraging fans to consider similar enhancements. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok amplify beauty standards, showcasing celebrities and influencers who have undergone BBLs. Star endorsements from figures like Cardi B, Kim Kardashian, and Nene Leakes create a buzz, encouraging fans to consider similar enhancements. Utilisation of own fat: Many individuals are drawn to BBLs because the procedure utilises their own fat for augmentation, rather than artificial implants. This aspect of the surgery is often viewed as a more natural option. Many individuals are drawn to BBLs because the procedure utilises their own fat for augmentation, rather than artificial implants. This aspect of the surgery is often viewed as a more natural option. Technological advancements: Improvements in surgical techniques and body contouring technology have made BBLs more accessible and appealing to a broader audience. The perceived safety and effectiveness of these advancements contribute to the booming interest. When Cardi B cautioned fans about BBL To raise awareness about the dangers tied to cosmetic procedures, Cardi B shared her own experience on Instagram a few years back. She emphasised the importance of researching and considering the long-term health implications of buttock enhancements. Encouraging her fans to think critically about beauty standards, she stated, 'If you're young, don't resort to shots.' She called it a 'really crazy' experience. Side effects of Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) While the visual results of a successful BBL can be enticing, many individuals overlook the potential risks associated with this surgery. Plastic surgeon Dr Anshumali Misra of Asian Hospital, tells HT Lifestyle that it is crucial for people to conduct thorough research and have candid discussions about the procedure and its implications before making a decision. Common side effects of BBL include: Swelling and bruising: Most patients experience swelling and bruising at both the fat removal and injection sites, which typically subside over time. Most patients experience swelling and bruising at both the fat removal and injection sites, which typically subside over time. Discomfort: Post-surgery discomfort is common, often manageable with pain medication. Post-surgery discomfort is common, often manageable with pain medication. Changes in skin sensitivity: Some individuals may experience temporary numbness or tingling sensations in the treatment areas, which typically resolve as the healing process progresses. Some individuals may experience temporary numbness or tingling sensations in the treatment areas, which typically resolve as the healing process progresses. Firmness or unevenness: As the body adjusts, individuals may experience firmness or notice uneven fat distribution, which should normalise during the healing phase. These effects can be managed with proper post-operative care, including the use of compression garments and following medical advice. Understanding the risks of BBL Despite its rising popularity, a BBL carries serious health risks. Here are some key concerns to be aware of, according to plastic surgeon Dr Rajat Gupta, who is associated with the Indian Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. Infection: As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection, which may necessitate additional treatment. As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection, which may necessitate additional treatment. Bleeding and seroma: Post-operative bleeding or the formation of seromas (fluid accumulation) can occur. Post-operative bleeding or the formation of seromas (fluid accumulation) can occur. Fat necrosis: This condition occurs when fatty tissue dies due to overfilling during the procedure, potentially leading to further complications, such as infections. This condition occurs when fatty tissue dies due to overfilling during the procedure, potentially leading to further complications, such as infections. Asymmetry: There is a risk of uneven results, which may require corrective surgery. There is a risk of uneven results, which may require corrective surgery. Nerve damage: Improper technique can lead to nerve damage, which may result in paralysis or chronic pain in some cases. Serious complications: The risk of pulmonary embolism One of the most alarming risks associated with BBLs is pulmonary embolism. This life-threatening condition occurs when a fat particle or blood clot blocks a pulmonary artery. Increased risk: The likelihood of this complication can increase if fat is accidentally injected into larger veins during the procedure. The likelihood of this complication can increase if fat is accidentally injected into larger veins during the procedure. Critical health risks: Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism may include shortness of breath, chest pain, or confusion. Immediate medical attention is essential to avoid severe outcomes. If you're considering a BBL, remember to:
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ab-etching surgery gives Bandman Kevo six pack without working out, and rappers are lining up for it
In the world of hip-hop, a six-pack is no longer earned solely through hours at the gym. A growing number of rappers and male celebrities are turning to a cosmetic procedure called abdominal etching , a high-definition liposuction technique that sculpts fat around the abs to create the illusion of a chiseled core. The trend reached viral status after rapper Bandman Kevo posted a shirtless photo on X, showing off his surgically defined torso. 'Not everyone is gonna admit it, but I got lipo for my abs and waist. Now I'm 220 from 284. No shame in my game,' Kevo wrote. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bangalore to Indonesia Batik Airlines Book Now Undo Often referred to as the " male BBL ," ab etching has become especially popular among men in urban centers like Miami, Los Angeles, London, and Toronto. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 250,000 liposuction procedures were performed in 2023, with ab-etching among the fastest-growing segments. While some online reports suggest the procedure can cost up to $16,000, most experts say prices range between $3,000 and $10,000 in the US, depending on the city and surgeon. High-end clinics in cities like New York or LA may charge up to $13,000, while international packages in Thailand or Turkey cost as little as $3,300. Live Events Originally developed in the 1990s by Dr. Henry Mentz and refined with ultrasonic technology by Dr. Alfredo Hoyos, the procedure uses small cannulas and incisions to remove fat and accentuate the natural lines of the abdominal muscles. The surgery takes 1–3 hours, followed by 4–6 weeks of recovery with compression garments. 'This is enhancement, not creation,' said Dr. Morales, a Los Angeles-based plastic surgeon. 'You can't come in 40 pounds overweight and expect a six-pack.' Critics argue that glorifying surgical abs may send the wrong message, especially to younger audiences. 'It's like digital filters, but for your body,' said Mel Ruiz, a health writer and body image advocate. 'If you can buy your abs, what does that say about the rest of us grinding in the gym?' On platforms like TikTok and Instagram , hashtags like #AbEtching and #MaleBBL regularly trend, fueled by speculation over celebrity physiques, including rumors that rapper Drake may have undergone the procedure, though he has not confirmed it. The six-pack, once a symbol of discipline, may now be seen as just another aesthetic investment.
