Permanently Beautiful

Getting older doesn’t mean forgetting about looking your best, especially for American women today.  This is made evident by the steadily increasing numbers of women over the age of 70 opting for plastic surgery procedures such as face lifts, breast lifts, breast reductions and breast implants.

In fact, in 2010, a whopping 84,685 plastic surgery procedures were performed on patients over the age of 65.  Many of those operations involved improving the look breasts.  In August 2011 the New York Times released a notable article in which several septuagenarians, octogenarians, and even nonagenarians talked about their recent experiences with plastic surgery.  At the ages of 60, 70, and above, these women reported doing much more than just sitting and knitting in the rocking chair.  Many were still employed full time in positions that required them to work face to face with the public.

Since people are living longer and remaining healthier, they want their physiques to align with their psyches, reported Abby Ellin, a New York based reporter.  Plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Man echoed the sentiment.  “These people are healthy and want to be an active part of society.”  In a job market that is becoming more and more competitive, it’s important for employees and business owners of all ages to look their best and young as possible.  Simply put, procedures like breast surgery, face lift, areola restoration, and permanent cosmetics application are often required to make these aspirations possible.

A recent New York Times report revealed a cosmetic industry trend that continues to gain momentum – senior plastic surgery. According to the report many septuagenarians, octogenarians, and even nonagenarians are now seeking the help of a plastic surgeon.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in 2010 there were 84, 685 surgical procedures among patients age 65 and older. Seniors are most commonly opting for face lifts and cosmetic eyelid operations while liposuctions, breast reductions, forehead lifts, breast augmentations, and breast lifts are also popular.

As baby boomers pass age 65, many want to look as good as they feel. Also, as many older people continue to stay in the workforce, plastic surgery helps them to be seen as more youthful contenders in the job market.

Plastic surgery is one piece of the puzzle. Permanent Makeup should be another for those who are seeking to look their best. While a face or eye lift can takes years off of a woman’s appearance, permanent makeup can actually enhance that appearance, making a woman look and feel prettier. Seniors can think of plastic surgery as a way to sculpt their face, while they may want to think of permanent makeup as a way to beautifully paint it.

In 2003, 15-year old Hannan was horribly burned in her home in Iraq when, according to her family, an American bomb landed near enough to her home to knock a lit oil lamp onto her bed. After the third-degree burns over 20 per cent of her body were treated by American Medics, it was believed her life was in danger, and she was forced to flee the country. Now she lives in Scotland, and at the age of 21 has undergone several operations to rebuild her ears, nose, lips and cheeks.

The owner of a permanent makeup company in London was so moved after hearing her story that she decided to offer Hannan free lifetime services–including using micropigmentation to enhance her eyebrows and lashes and define her lips, offering hope without facing the pain of undergoing another surgery.  

Melany Whitney offers the very same hope for anyone who struggles with scars from burns, injuries or surgeries. Paramedical cosmetic tattooing allows her to camouflage the area because micropigmentation breaks up scar tissue and colors it to better match the skin’s natural tone. Because of her expertise in this area, Melany routinely receives referrals from prominent plastic surgeons and physicians who understand the lasting effects of scar tissue and want to offer their patients the best possible care.

The popularization and affordability of plastic surgery has made the body “the new attire, a mutable status symbol subject to trends in proportion, silhouette, technology and disposable income,” Natasha Singer wrote in a recent New York Times article. Plastic surgery has medicalized attractiveness, she says. “Appearance technology” allows people to mix-and-match body parts to recreate themselves in an attempt to achieve “perfect” beauty.

Popularized by Extreme Makeover, Dr. 90210 and other reality television shows, plastic surgery is no longer viewed as risky. Media saturation has normalized public perception of what is, in fact, a delicate surgical procedure requiring skill and experience. Unfortunately, the desired results are not always the results achieved. It can be impossible to create from ordinary human flesh the idealistic beauty some people seek. “There comes a point when you are putting too much time and money into your vanity,” says Peri Basel a marketing consultant to the plastic surgery industry. “For me, the vanity issue is: Where does it stop? If you are going for buttock implants, do you really need that?”

The economic slowdown may be cooling the public’s ardor for plastic surgery. In a recent survey by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 62% of doctors reported a decrease in business. In what Singer terms Botox backlash, some prominent Hollywood stars are eschewing cosmetic surgery to embrace a more natural look. Permanent makeup is one way to maintain control over your appearance without resulting to expensive, invasive plastic surgery. A softer, gentler, more affordable approach to enhancing your beauty than plastic surgery, permanent makeup artistically emphasizes your natural beauty, eliminates embarrassing flaws, and ensures that you always look your most beautiful.