Search for plastic surgery increased considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic. And one of the explanations for this may be the videoconferencing. With the end of face-to-face activities, many companies saw video calling apps as an alternative to maintaining meetings during the pandemic. With that, people stopped paying attention to the faces of colleagues to look at their own face during video calls. 3l1n6e
The apps became a kind of mirror and many did not like the reflected image. People began to pay attention to details of the face such as expression lines, the shape of the nose and eyelids, for example. American doctor Jon Mendelsohn stated that “during virtual consultations, 9 out of 10 people commented on noticing these things in Zoom”. In fact, experts are calling the increase in demand for plastic surgery a “effect zoom boom".
“We are not used to seeing each other while talking to other people, so people are paying attention to their facial movements and features as they speak.”
Jason Champagne, plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California.
But it's not just the fact that people are paying attention to their faces during meetings that is increasing the demand for aesthetic procedures, many are taking advantage of the home office, social isolation and the use of masks to perform plastic surgery. Thus, they can recover from the postoperative period without drawing too much attention.
In an interview with Washington Post, plastic surgeon Bruce Moskowitz reported that the demand for cosmetic surgery has grown so much that some patients have even proposed paying an extra fee to expedite the surgeries.
The number of plastic surgeries in Brazil also increased during the pandemic 13504t
In an interview with showmetech, plastic surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction and cosmiatry Dr. Agnaldo Castro reported that at the beginning of the pandemic there was a drop in the number of consultations, but in a short time the numbers went up again.
“Right at the beginning of the pandemic, in fact, there was a significant decrease in consultations. However, shortly thereafter, the movement increased significantly. The number of calls more than doubled.”
Dr. Agnaldo Castro , surgeon specialist in breast reconstruction
The professional had to open extra shifts to be able to meet the demand. But the doctor points out that a little caution is needed, as the cameras of videoconferencing applications can create distortions in people's facial proportions, generating dissatisfaction that do not correspond to reality. As highlighted by Dr. Agnaldo Castro, the “front camera is quite 'cruel' to our image”.
“It highlights wrinkles, shadows on our face and double chin, for example, in addition to distorting facial proportions. The signs of aging become much more apparent, and we all start to observe ourselves more.”
Dr. Agnaldo Castro, on the effects of the camera on self-perception
In addition to the camera's own distortions and the effects of light on expression marks, being at home makes people reduce the use of makeup, making the existing imperfections on the face more evident. This perception has made more people seek minimally invasive procedures, a sign that they are taking more care of themselves.
Dr. Agnaldo Castro highlights that the most sought after procedures were liposuction and liposculpture, motivated by the accumulation of localized fat during the pandemic due to dietary changes and the break in physical exercises. In women, there is also an increase in breast surgeries, taking the opportunity to recover during the home office. With regard to cosmiatry, there has been an increase in demand for face treatments to improve sagging, double chin and wrinkles. Procedures with hyaluronic acid, botulinum toxin and collagen biostimulators were the most sought after.
Although plastic surgeries have increased during the pandemic, a survey released by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) points out that Brazil is the second country that performs most surgeries and aesthetic procedures in the world.
What do you think of the “Zoom boom effect”? Tell us in the comments. Enjoy and check it out too how to organize a virtual convention for your team.
Source: doctor Agnaldo Castro; ISAPS; The Washington Post
