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Plastic Surgery in the High Fashion Modeling World

by Marisa Amorasak

Most plastic surgeons will agree that the general objective of plastic surgery is to improve the aesthetic aspect of a patient. Removing the hump from a nose can make one patient feel less self conscious in photographs, while a slimming another woman’s thighs can make her feel more desirable to her husband. But for some people, plastic surgery becomes more of a business-oriented decision than a personal preference: high-fashion runway models certainly fall into this category. The right tweak could prevent photographic limitations and land a model a contract with a top designer. But then there’s the other side of plastic surgery and high fashion modeling: unique traits are often seen as desirable, and can easily become trademarks (Cindy Crawford’s mole, anyone?).

Meeting the Standards of the Runway

As if the pressures of glossy magazine covers and movie stars aren’t enough for the rest of us, the standards of a high-fashion model are quite high. They’re also a bit different than the average person’s aesthetic ideals: the perfect supermodel is very slender, with minimal curves. She also has a dynamic face that can shift from commercial to androgynous with proper styling. So you probably won’t see these types of models in the plastic surgeon’s office enhancing their figure with breast implants or the increasingly popular Brazilian butt lift.

What you will see high fashion models looking for is liposuction and other body contouring procedures to keep their product—their body—in tip-top shape. If possible, minimally invasive surgeries are the top choice due to their quick recovery period—a procedure like Velashape™ can improve the silhouette and allow a model to get back to work quickly.

Facial surgeries are also common for models. A number of the world’s most famous faces saw their careers take off after undergoing surgery for rhinoplasty, Tyra Banks and Gisele Bündchen included. Chin implants have also provided a boost to many top models, giving them a more defined profile that’s perfect for high fashion photos hoots. Even the slightest tweaks can give models an edge over their competition: fat transfers in the lips for a sexier pout, blepharoplasty under the eyes to remove bags, or fillers to enhance cheekbones. As for simple skin procedures, there’s no way the highest paid models don’t undergo the occasional spa facial or microdermabrasion to keep their skin looking flawless.

Choosing What to Leave Au Natural

Then again, there’s something to be said about models and trademark features. Some of the characteristics of the men and women that were once considered a far cry from classic beauty are now the key to bookings, contracts, and fame. Think about Cintia Dicker’s freckles, Alek Wek’s teeth gap, and Doutzen Kroes’ sumptuous hips. Even in the world of high fashion modeling, total uniformity isn’t always a good thing.

It’s hard to get around the fact that plastic surgery is a different business when it comes to high fashion models. With that being said, no woman should undergo plastic surgery due to the request of a casting director or modeling agency. Plastic surgery is a deeply personal choice that should be made to fulfill your desires and boost your confidence. If you’d like to learn more about any of the plastic surgery procedures mentioned in this article, contact us today. We’ll be happy to book a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area. During your consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with a doctor who can give you more information, answer any questions you may have, and tell you if you’re a possible candidate.