5 Types of Cosmetic Procedures You Should Know

Over the past twenty years, the power and popularity of plastic surgery has expanded significantly. Beginning with celebrities and now finally reaching ordinary consumers, the “Instagram Face,” as coined by writer Jia Tolentino, is becoming every more prominent in media and society. But plastic surgery — or, more broadly, cosmetic procedures — is a wide and varied field. In fact, plastic surgery is a bit of a misnomer, since many procedures can now be performed non-surgically, in minimally invasive ways. Below is a brief description of some of the types of cosmetic procedures available on the market, and a little background on each. Face it — you’re definitely curious. These are useful options for many, as almost any part of the body can be altered in some way. 

1. Face & Neck Enhancement 

This category includes a variety of procedures, from brow lifts to cheek augmentation. Practitioners can also engage in sculpting and contouring techniques to enhance jawlines, change the shape of eyelids, and fill lips. Locations such as Lumen and Bevel Aesthetics have become experts in the field, often opting for non-invasive, non-surgical options for faces. 

2. Breast Alterations 

Some women want smaller breasts; others want bigger. Breast augmentation and reductions are both available, as well as breast lefts and breast augmentation involving fat transfers. Given the outsized importance breasts face in contemporary society, it’s no wonder that many women are conscious of the size or shape of their breasts. Beyond that, they can just be plain uncomfortable, and sometimes surgery can solve that problem. 

3. Fat Reduction 

Perhaps the first thing many think of when they hear the words “plastic surgery,” fat reduction is a common example of a relatively established practice. Liposuction and nonsurgical fat reduction are both common techniques, though liposuction is marginally more invasive of a technique. Featured prominently on shows like Skin Tight and Dr. 90210, fat reduction is an accessible option for many. 

4. Male-Specific Options 

Cosmetic procedures are certainly not just available for women. Men, too, have options, ranging from hair transplants to gynecomastia surgery, also known as male breast reduction surgery. Of course, men can also change their nose shape, waistline, and jawline, if they so choose. 

5. Vaginal Rejuvenation 

This can occur in a couple of ways — either surgically or nonsurgically. Some options include labiaplasty, or the reduction of the labia minora, and vaginoplasty, or a procedure which tightens the vagina. There are a variety of reasons women might choose to explore these options, but they should certainly consult with an expert before making any hard decisions. 

While cosmetic procedures such as these may not feel necessary or desirable for many, plenty of others have reasons to seek them out. A safe option for many, almost any part of a person’s body can be cosmetically altered and improved upon with relative ease. If these options are interesting to you, feel free to use this list as a jumping-off point to begin your own research. Broadly, though, it’s useful to understand the wide variety of options available to those seeking their very own “Instagram Face.”