STUDY CONFIRMS PLASTIC SURGERY TAKES ON AVERAGE 7 YEARS OFF LOOKS

A study by the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery has found surgery turns back the clock on average 7 years of ageing.

The aim was to help patients considering surgery to have clearer expectations of what can be achieved before going under the knife. The study was lead by Dr Nitin Chauhan a plastic surgeon at the University of Toronto.

Before and after photos of 53 women and 7 men all aged 60 were shown to 40 first year medical students. They were asked to estimate the ages of the patients before their surgery and then afterwards.

The patients had undergone a variety of facial cosmetic surgery, ranging from one to three procedures; 22 had a face and neck lift, 17 had a face and neck lift as well as an eyelid lift and a further 22 had a face and neck lift, eyelid lift and brow lift.

According to the study, patients’ ages were reduced on average by 5 to 7 years following one procedure such as a face lift or neck lift. Patients who went under the knife for two facial procedures were estimated 7.5 years younger, in comparison; patients who had three procedures were thought to be 8.4 years younger.

Other experts in the field including Dr Garry Brody, professor of plastic surgery at the University of Southern California, warned patients to remain realistic about what surgery can achieve for them personally.