By James D. Frame, University of Anglia Ruskin
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) recently prohibited a series of ads for butt butts (BBL) on social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. It was found that these ads were misleading and irresponsible, to minimize serious health risks and press consumers with limited time sacrifices.
This movement stands out to growth groups on how cosmetic surgery is marketed online and the safety of BBL procedures. But BBL are not the only cosmetic surgeries under scrutiny.
Liposuction has a high rate of postoperative complications, and equally non -surgical procedures such as lipsticks and liquid BBL have generated health problems among experts.
According to the recent data of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), 27,462 cosmetic procedures were carried out in 2024, an increase of 5% since 2023. More than nine out of ten (93.5%) or thesis procedures.
Body contour, including liposuction, abdominoplasty and thigh elevators, are the most popular surgeries, while facial rejuvenation procedures, face and neck elevators in part, eyebrow elevators and eyelid surgery have popularity in popularity since 2023.
Risk factors
Many of these popular procedures are also among the most risky. Body contour surgeries such as liposuction, abdominoplasty and fat graft, for example, are important operations that generally take hours and involve general anesthesia.
And the aesthetic results are not always expected either. The elimination of fats can sometimes lead to unequal skin, packages or irregularities, which can worsen as the body continues to get older.
All surgeries entail risks, but the complications of cosmetic procedures are minimal or misunderstandings. These risks can manifest immediately after surgery or just a week later, ranging from minor problems such as infection and scars to life conditions, such as blood clots or organic insufficiency.
One of the most dangerous risks is pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs. In the US, about 18,000 cases of venous thromboembolism (TEV) occur annually among patients with plastic surgery, with approximately 10% result of death within an hour of appearing symptoms.
This threat would be still pressing in the era after covid, since the cases of TEV are increasing. It is known that Covid increases the body’s trend to form blood clots, only in those with mild or null symptoms.
These persistent effects can persist for a week or months and, when combined with the usual surgical risks such as immobility, tissue trauma and inflammation, significantly increase the probability of a potentially deadly event such as a lung. As a result, people subject to plastic surgery today can face a higher basal risk than before pandemic.
Fat embolism is another potentially deadly complication, or associated with procedures such as liposuction or BBLs. This occurs when the fatty parts enter the bloodstream and travel to vital organists, which leads to serious medical emergencies.
After surgery, some patients can wake up disoriented, confused or with persistent neurological symptoms, signs of a severe medical emergency. The embolism of fats can have effects of life imitation and, in severe cases, it can cause permanent brain damage, organic insufficiency or sudden death.
Procedures such as rhinoplasty (remodeling of the nose) or breast increase can come with relatively high rates of dissatisfaction. Implants, in particular, can cause problems such as rupture, deflation, capsular contracture (hardening around the implant) or asymmetry. There is also some concern about a strange form of anaplastic lymphoma of large cells associated with the implantation (BIA-ALCL) implantation associated with certain types of implants.
Even if surgery does not result in important complications, many patients are still unhappy. A common problem is that procedures do not take into account how the body continues to age. A facial or abdomine stretch can be seen initially, but the natural aging process can quickly undo or distort those results.
The problem is that many cosmetic procedures do not take into account the inevitable changes that our bodies suffer with age. Our bodies change over time: the skin loses elasticity, fat distribution changes and trends evolve. What seems like a good decision in its 20 years can be very different in its 40.
Non -surgical treatments
One of the most worrisome problems in the cosmetic industry is the lack of consistent regulation. This is particularly true for non -surgical treatments, where anyone can administer injectable products, from trained doctors to influential people of self -taught beauty. Cosmetic tourism adds another layer of complexity. Many people travel abroad for cheaper procedures, just to face complications once they return home, with limited resources or support.
Non -surgical treatments such as dermal fillings and Botox have become increasingly popular due to their rapid results and a minimum inactivity time. However, they are not exempt from risk.
Modern fillings such as hyaluronic acid are generally safer than older materials such as silicone. They are less likely to cause granulomas, as long as they are not infected, and can be reversed if necessary. However, when incorrectly injected, as special in a blood vessel, fillings can cause serious complications such as the death of tissues, permanent scars or blindness.
Botox injections also entail risks, including muscle paralysis, nerve damage and unequal facial results, hugely when unqualified practitioners.
Before submitting to any cosmetic procedure, whether essential surgical or non -surgical, it is essential to investigate a qualified professional, understand the risks and establish realistic expectations.
Cosmetic surgery can be powerful for many people, helping them feel safer in their own skin. But the decision to alter your appearance permanently should never be light tasks. Behind glamor and bright Instagram stories are a more serious image, one in which the risks are real and the consequences, sometimes irreversible.
James D. Frame, professor of aesthetic plastic surgery, University of Anglia Ruskin
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