Is Plastic Surgery The Solution To Aging Well?
Since 2014, over 15.6 million cosmetic procedures were performed by plastic surgeons in the United States — a number that has been steadily increasing. As technology advances, the demand grows for both surgical and non-invasive procedures. Is this the most modern solution to aging well? Keep reading to reveal if plastic surgery is the answer to staying young.
Plastic Surgery Complications
From tummy tucks to nose jobs, there have been numerous patients who have lost their lives to associated complications. Sure, these procedures can enhance an individual’s outer appearance, but do they help patients age well? Although some procedures may help someone look slightly younger, aging is inevitable and there are much more natural and effective approaches that help deal with the aging process.
Some of the most common complications that can occur with plastic surgery include a hematoma or a pocket of blood that resembles a painful bruise on the skin, nerve damage, an infection, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and scarring. Other complications also include a general dissatisfaction with the results, organ damage, anesthesia complications, blood loss, and seroma which is when serum from the blood pools beneath the skin and causes swelling and pain.
Why Plastic Surgery Is Not The Answer
Whether an individual is seeking an eye lift or Botox, these are all temporary solutions that do not address the aging process itself. As humans age, their skin begins to lose elasticity and wrinkles begin to form. As a result, men and women as young as thirty are relying on plastic surgery to deter this natural aging process and to address their weight.
In fact, thirty percent of liposuction patients are between the ages of nineteen and thirty-four, not to mention other invasive skin procedures that are performed daily across the country. Seeking these procedures means that individuals directly tamper with their body's natural balance. For some women, liposuction has destroyed fat cells in one specific area and when the weight was gained back, it was distributed unevenly.
Aging Gracefully Without Surgery
There's a general concern these procedures become addictive and before patients realize, they have made themselves look unnatural and in turn, as they age, these procedures do not agree with them. As previously mentioned, with each procedure, individuals place themselves at risk for nerve damage, blood clots, and infections, which are all possible complications that can have severe consequences.
Be addressing the aging process in a superficial way, individuals lose sight of what's truly important. Instead of focusing on forehead wrinkles, it's much more beneficial to focus on how they can age gracefully inside and out, based on their lifestyle choices. Aging brings wisdom and pride that should be celebrated, not frowned upon.
Effective Choices For Aging Gracefully
The choices that one makes on a day-to-day basis is what will determine how gracefully one ages. Of course, physical appearance is related to the aging process based on exterior imperfections, but one's mentality on the aging process itself is also relevant. It is important to accept that a wrinkle here and there is not something to panic about.Based on emerging evidence, it has been discovered that lifestyle changes may be able to turn back the biological clock on a cellular level. In one study, published in Lancet Oncology, it was found that individuals who adopted a plant-based diet, reduced stressful activities, and performed moderate exercise as well as yoga, experienced significant positive effects.
Uncovering The Truth About Aging
The length of telomeres was measured at the beginning of the study, and then again five years later. A telomere is often associated with the plastic end of a shoelace, helping to protect it from deterioration — in this case, telomeres protect chromosomes from damage. While focusing on aging, the length of a telomere can delay the natural aging process of cells. As telomeres get shorter, this is when damage occurs, as well as an increased risk of disease. In comparison to the control group, the men who changed their lifestyle experienced an average ten percent increase in length. The control group who did not make any changes displayed an average shortened length of three percent.
Overall, the best ways to target the natural aging process is to stay positive, especially when thinking about age. Diet is one of the most critical areas, as a low-glycemic diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants can improve the look and feel of one's skin. Moderate exercise, adequate sleep, sun protection, social interaction, and the avoidance of cigarettes are also beneficial factors to aging gracefully.