Patients suffering from serious illnesses say cosmetic procedures help them to feel more comfortable in social settings.
This is according to a new study carried out at Northwestern University.
In the study, patients said they believe aesthetic work may make them feel better in social situations with their friends, family and also at work.
The paper also reports that patients say it will aid with reintegration into society, without them standing out or looking sick.
Feel better
‘Patients dealing with serious illnesses have visible signs of their health problems. As a result, they can feel unhappy about themselves,’ said senior author Dr Murad Alam.
‘Cosmetic procedures that improve appearance make these patients feel better and more confident during a time when they are already going through so much.
‘These findings may help improve conversations between physicians and patients who are interested in getting cosmetic procedures. This is so that they have information on procedures that are most safe and helpful for them.’
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Severely low immune system
‘Post-treatment, you look in the mirror negative-wise,’ said a 34-year-old woman with breast cancer.
‘You have no hair, no eyebrows, no eyelashes, nothing. My immune system was severely low, so I looked really pale and anaemic. It’s like you don’t even recognise yourself anymore.’
The cosmetic procedures that participants underwent ranged from noninvasive treatments, such as neurotoxin and filler injections, lasers, chemical peels, radio frequency devices, dermabrasion and micro-needling, all the way up to invasive procedures such as liposuction, face lifts and eyelid lifts.
Future studies may include more patients and also determine if the chosen cosmetic procedure is related to a patient’s specific illness.
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