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Reality Check - The Future of Cosmetic Surgery
You've heard the hype. We asked the experts. Here's the real timetable. David Pescovitz
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Since the 1980s, cosmetic surgery has skyrocketed not only in popularity, but in controversy. Doctors can change what nature gave us, but the question remains whether having a thicker penis or bigger breasts outweighs the risks inherent in the medical procedure. Besides, who determines the proportions of a perfect body? Wired asked four experts about the future of tomorrow's designer body which, surprisingly, may not be achieved in the operating room. David Pescovitz
Effective Hair-Loss Prevention Metabolic Fat-BurningCosmetic Surgery for Men Equals Women Nonsurgical Treatment for
G.D. Castillo 2003 2010 unlikely 2000
Douglas Dedo 2006 1999 2050 1998
Marc S. Leventhal 2010 2000 unlikely now
Steven Nathanson 2006 2000 unlikely 2010
Bottom Line 2006 2002 unlikely 2001
Ignore those infomercials hawking new shampoos that will resurrect your senior-picture hairline for only US$29.50 per month. According to our experts, Minoxidil and similar formulas are not that effective because, after all, male pattern baldness is a predetermined genetic trait. Dedo believes that if your grandfather has a shiny dome, the best way to prevent your forehead from expanding may be to genetically engineer your DNA, forcing your hair follicles to pump out fuzz regardless of what your hormones have to say. But, adds Castillo, if you're already in need of a toupee, no geneticist can bring back hair that's already gone.
Around the turn of the century if our experts are correct gym memberships will decline once we can pop fat-destroying pills after that second serving of chocolate cheesecake. Leventhal expects "improvement in metabolic fat burners currently on the market," while Dedo forecasts that the recent discovery of fat-metabolism compounds which control the burning of fat may lead to a chemical cure for love handles. But even if recent success rates with rats are applicable to humans, Castillo says the miracle pill "will have a limited effect on long standing obesity." It's more likely to work for people who plumped up less than five years before treatment.
In 1994, more than 2 million women in the US went under the beauty knife compared with just over 568,000 men. And most plastic surgeons we spoke to don't see the scales ever balancing out. They expect that the percentage of men seeking some form of cosmetic surgery liposuction, for example will increase, but the powerful societal pressures that drive women to the operating room for face-lifts and ear pinnings are difficult to change. Besides, Dedo says, "Because of the disparity between the death rates of men and women, there is a demand for older men among the surviving females."
Brittle bones, wrinkled skin, and other symptoms of old age may be a treatable condition within the next few years. According to Castillo and Dedo, growth hormones, currently prescribed by some doctors, have been shown to reverse the physical effects of aging by promoting muscle and bone growth and thickening the skin. A different approach, Nathanson points out, is to grow skin cells in a laboratory where they can be transferred to your body without scarring. It may soon be possible, he says, "to have a 'new coat' of youthful skin." On the other hand, Leventhal recommends a more traditional approach to reduce the ravages of old age. He simply suggests exercise, calcium supplements, and skin-care products.
G. D. Castillo
MD,
Fellow of the American College of Surgeons,
president-elect of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
Douglas Dedo
MD, FACS,
assistant clinical professor of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery,
University of Miami Medical School
Marc S. Leventhal
MD, FACS,
diplomat of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery,
editorial advisory board member of American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery,
former board member of AACS
Steven Nathanson
MD, FACS
You've heard the hype. We asked the experts. Here's the real timetable. David Pescovitz
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since the 1980s, cosmetic surgery has skyrocketed not only in popularity, but in controversy. Doctors can change what nature gave us, but the question remains whether having a thicker penis or bigger breasts outweighs the risks inherent in the medical procedure. Besides, who determines the proportions of a perfect body? Wired asked four experts about the future of tomorrow's designer body which, surprisingly, may not be achieved in the operating room. David Pescovitz
Effective Hair-Loss Prevention Metabolic Fat-BurningCosmetic Surgery for Men Equals Women Nonsurgical Treatment for
G.D. Castillo 2003 2010 unlikely 2000
Douglas Dedo 2006 1999 2050 1998
Marc S. Leventhal 2010 2000 unlikely now
Steven Nathanson 2006 2000 unlikely 2010
Bottom Line 2006 2002 unlikely 2001
Ignore those infomercials hawking new shampoos that will resurrect your senior-picture hairline for only US$29.50 per month. According to our experts, Minoxidil and similar formulas are not that effective because, after all, male pattern baldness is a predetermined genetic trait. Dedo believes that if your grandfather has a shiny dome, the best way to prevent your forehead from expanding may be to genetically engineer your DNA, forcing your hair follicles to pump out fuzz regardless of what your hormones have to say. But, adds Castillo, if you're already in need of a toupee, no geneticist can bring back hair that's already gone.
Around the turn of the century if our experts are correct gym memberships will decline once we can pop fat-destroying pills after that second serving of chocolate cheesecake. Leventhal expects "improvement in metabolic fat burners currently on the market," while Dedo forecasts that the recent discovery of fat-metabolism compounds which control the burning of fat may lead to a chemical cure for love handles. But even if recent success rates with rats are applicable to humans, Castillo says the miracle pill "will have a limited effect on long standing obesity." It's more likely to work for people who plumped up less than five years before treatment.
In 1994, more than 2 million women in the US went under the beauty knife compared with just over 568,000 men. And most plastic surgeons we spoke to don't see the scales ever balancing out. They expect that the percentage of men seeking some form of cosmetic surgery liposuction, for example will increase, but the powerful societal pressures that drive women to the operating room for face-lifts and ear pinnings are difficult to change. Besides, Dedo says, "Because of the disparity between the death rates of men and women, there is a demand for older men among the surviving females."
Brittle bones, wrinkled skin, and other symptoms of old age may be a treatable condition within the next few years. According to Castillo and Dedo, growth hormones, currently prescribed by some doctors, have been shown to reverse the physical effects of aging by promoting muscle and bone growth and thickening the skin. A different approach, Nathanson points out, is to grow skin cells in a laboratory where they can be transferred to your body without scarring. It may soon be possible, he says, "to have a 'new coat' of youthful skin." On the other hand, Leventhal recommends a more traditional approach to reduce the ravages of old age. He simply suggests exercise, calcium supplements, and skin-care products.
G. D. Castillo
MD,
Fellow of the American College of Surgeons,
president-elect of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
Douglas Dedo
MD, FACS,
assistant clinical professor of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery,
University of Miami Medical School
Marc S. Leventhal
MD, FACS,
diplomat of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery,
editorial advisory board member of American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery,
former board member of AACS
Steven Nathanson
MD, FACS
