While there used to be quite a stigma around giving plastic surgery as a gift, evolving beauty standards have turned that negative connotation on its head. In fact, “practices are reporting an increase in clients gifting everything from surgical procedures to skincare, making cosmetic surgery one of the top categories in the luxury gift market”, says American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) President Sherard A. Tatum, MD. “People have begun to realize that radical transformation is a very small niche of facial plastic surgery. For most of us, the desire to make subtle, natural looking changes is fueled by a yearning to enhance self-confidence and prioritize self-care—and that’s a beautiful gift to be able to help someone achieve.”
If you’re thinking about giving the gift of facial plastic surgery this season, just follow our lead:
TIP #1: DO YOUR RESEARCH
This is not the time to scour the web for a deal, or book the first surgeon who comes up in the Google search. Credentials have always been important when it comes to choosing a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, and they matter even more now. Many non-expert providers offer injections and other services at a lower cost, especially around the holidays. Though it may sound like a great deal at first, the fact of the matter is that when corners are cut, the risk of complications skyrockets. The official
AAFPRS recommendation: Be as discerning in your search as possible, selecting only a board-certified surgeon who specializes in plastic surgery of the face, head and neck.
TIP #2: BE HONEST
The caveat to the whole “plastic surgery is a great gift” thing is that plastic surgery is not an appropriate gift for every single person on your list. Before you go all Oprah (“You get a rhinoplasty! And you get a rhinoplasty! And You. Get. A. RHINOPLASTYYYYY!”), you’ve got to do a little soul searching. Is this gift selflessly motivated? Has the recipient expressed a desire for a tweakment? Has he or she had any cosmetic procedures done already? If not, what kinds of treatments does he or she typically indulge in? If it turns out that your intentions err more on the side of selfishness (as in you really think your mom would look great with a different nose, but she’s never mentioned it before), you may want to rethink things—perhaps some luxurious skincare would be more appropriate?
TIP #3: TREAT YOURSELF
The only thing better than giving a knock-your-socks-off-gift? Easy: Giving a knock-your-socks-off-gift to the person staring back at you in the mirror. Remember what we said up there about self-care? As far as we’re concerned, anything that boosts confidence is the best kind of self-care—and if a nip or a tuck is going to make you feel utterly fabulous, then it sounds like you know just what to do.
TIP #4: SPREAD GOOD CHEER
If you’re able to give back this holiday season, consider donating to the AAFPRS Foundation’s
FACE TO FACE program, a humanitarian and educational surgical exchange program sponsored by the Educational and Research Foundation for the AAFPRS. Both in the United States and abroad, AAFPRS surgeons and other medical professionals provide complimentary care to those in need who suffer from facial deformities caused by birth or trauma. Your
FACE TO FACE donation can even be made as a gift in the name of a loved one or a friend!