Experts debunk myths surrounding some common cosmetic procedures

Opting for a cosmetic procedure is a contentious choice. People will tell you that it’s okay if you’re a Kardashian wanting to completely revamp your face but for the rest of us commoners, it’s shameful. Here’s the thing. While we are subscribers to the ‘everyone is beautiful just the way they are’ philosophy, we understand that these procedures are not the enemy. They are just shrouded in layers and layers of misconceptions and myths. But the fact of the matter is, a lot of cosmetic procedures have medical benefits and have a direct impact on a person’s self-confidence. There’s nothing wrong with that, is there? 

So, we got experts to debunk myths about the four most misunderstood procedures (botox, breast reduction surgery, lip fillers and microblading) to help you make a better, more informed decision. 

Botox  

Botox is that kid in class who is ridiculed and shunned because they aren’t fully understood. Most people believe that if they get botox, they will have a perpetual expressionless face or that once they get botox done, they have to keep doing it or their face will be ruined. But that is not the case. Dr Devayani Barve, a board-certified plastic and cosmetic surgeon says, “Botox works by paralyzing muscles to stop them from creating wrinkles. Contrary to popular belief, it does not fill wrinkles”  

She goes on to talk about the benefits of using botox and to dispel the myth that using botox and then stopping makes ages you faster. Dr Barve says, “It delays the appearance of wrinkles when started early. It also helps in reducing wrinkles which have already formed and contour the jawline. Most of all, it relaxes the face by taking away the spasm which may be present in muscles due to stress and makes one look less upset or angry or tired. Botox doesn’t tighten the skin nor can it undo ageing changes of the skin. It is more of a preventive measure hence best started when ageing is beginning to show.” 

Lip fillers

Dr Sonali Kohli, consultant dermatologist and venereologist at the Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, says, “Golden ratio or the divine proportion is a mathematic formulation that has been used to our advantage to help yield facial proportion that is considered an aesthetically pleasing proportion to the human eye. In youthful appearances, the ideal ratio of the vertical height of the upper lip to that of the lower lip is 1:1.6. It is now achievable to match your lip proportions closer to the golden ratio with the use of hyaluronic acid injections or as they are more commonly known- lip fillers.”

Lip fillers are a gel-like substance that is injected into the lips to add volume, correct asymmetries, and/or create shape or fullness as desired by you. They work by binding water molecules within the lips to create a fuller and plump appearance. Dr Kohli says, “More and more younger patients are looking to plump naturally thin, flat lips and mature patients want to add volume to lips that have lost definition with the natural ageing process. The most common type of filler is a hyaluronic acid-based filler (Juvéderm and Restylane). And even though these are minimally invasive with little to no downtime and are reversible, there are a lot of myths associated with lip fillers due to poor choice of product and over usage.”  

However, the thing to keep in mind is that if these lip fillers are not administered properly it can lead to undesirable outcomes. Dr Kohli says, “In some cases, post-injection the lips may appear asymmetric initially, bruised, bumpy and/or swollen. However, these can be treated and corrected with the guidance of your practitioner and none of these outcomes is permanent.” 

One of the most common myths that surround this procedure is the fear of being left with ‘duck lips’. This is an outcome when too much filler is injected and makes the lip area push out and stiffen. However, the good news is that these effects are all temporary and start improving with time. But there are some serious dangers associated with this procedure as well. Dr Kohli says, “One of the worst-case scenarios is a vascular occlusion when blood flow through an important labial artery is occluded. The importance of being with a certified injector is that someone experienced will know how to recognize this immediately and to treat it appropriately to avoid devastating complications.”

Breast reduction  

When we think of breast reduction surgery, images of silicon-filled balloons come to mind. This procedure first came into the limelight when Modern Family star Ariel Winter spoke about going from an uncomfortable 32F to a manageable 34D. However, among all the gasps and raised eyebrows, the fact that breast reduction surgery has more medical benefits than anyone realises gets missed. 

Dr Barve says, “Breast reduction has the medical benefits of reducing weight on the chest, improving back and neck pain, and improving posture. Patients get the freedom to wear appropriate clothes and engage in various physical activities, without feeling embarrassed or self-conscious. However, one must remember that it is a surgical procedure and has associated risks.”  

The most common myth that is widely believed about this procedure is that it will increase the risk of cancer. But Dr Barve firmly believes that breast cancer and breast reduction surgery (or enlargement) do not increase the patient's risk of having cancer. Although, she does warn that this procedure can’t be reversed. 
The overall healing for reduction takes about 2-3 weeks. Dr Barve says, “Post-surgical care is more for breast reduction than for enhancement. Results are immediate and get better with time over 2 months.” 

Microblading    

This season we saw a tsunami of Y2K trends returning on the runways and our Instagram feeds. From low-waisted jeans to face-framing braids. This wave brought back pencil-thin eyebrows as well. Here’s the thing though, you might want to look like Bella Hadid (because who doesn’t?) but let’s just agree that some things, like the shape of your eyebrows, shouldn’t be based on a mere trend. Grooming eyebrows to perfection has been an integral part of our beauty routines for centuries. But what happens when you have naturally pencil-like eyebrows? Enter, microblading- the secret to natural fuller-looking eyebrows that has been gaining a lot of traction recently. 

Dr Kohli explains it, “A brow artist can significantly fake fuller, more uniformed eyebrows with microblading. It is easy, almost painless and is conducted by trained aesthetic practitioners using precision blades formed of tiny needles. It is the ideal for reviving lifeless, sparse or over-plucked brows.”  

This non-invasive procedure has a lot of benefits. If you're experiencing hair loss localised to the eyebrows or have been through chemo or are dealing with trichotillomania, a hair-pulling disorder, or just want your eyebrows to be their most perfect selves, it’s for you. Dr Kohli says, “Modern microblading techniques use temporary pigments in lieu of ink to deliver a more natural and safer effect placed nearer the skin surface to minimise any systemic absorption and prevent side effects.”

However, like any other procedure, there are a few things you need to keep in mind before opting for it. It can’t hurt to know what you’re getting into. For instance, immediately post the procedure your brows will appear up to 50 per cent darker than the end result. Don’t fret, the brows generally heal within two weeks, during which time they fade to a more natural colour. It is important in this phase to follow the aftercare instructions given by your doctor and prevent picking on the scabs.