Cosmetic vs. Plastic Surgery

What is the difference?

Cosmetic surgery is a unique discipline of medicine that focuses on enhancing the appearance by means of surgical and medical techniques. This type of surgery can be performed on all areas of the head, neck and body. Due to the nature of treated areas being worked on function properly and are without ailment but lack aesthetic appeal, cosmetic surgery is considered an elective form of surgery.

Plastic surgery on the other hand, is defined as a surgical specialty dedicated to the reconstruction of facial and body defects. This defects may be due to birth disorders, trauma, burns, and disease. Plastic surgery is intended to correct dysfunctional areas of the body and is therefore considered reconstructive in nature.

Understanding the difference between “cosmetic vs plastic surgery” is important when considering entering into a procedure. Always keep in mind that cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery are not the same thing. Cosmetic surgery procedures are performed to enhance a person’s appearance toward some aesthetic ideal. Cosmetic surgery is practiced by doctors from a variety of medical fields including dermatologists, facial plastic surgeons, general surgeons, gynecologists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, ophthalmologists, otolaryngologists, plastic surgeons, as well as doctors from other fields.

Unlike procedures performed in cosmetic surgery, those in plastic surgery focus on repairing and reconstructing abnormal structures of the body caused by birth defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors or disease.

As you can see, there is a big difference between cosmetic and plastic surgery.