Download Changing Human Appearance: The Science and Ethics of Beauty

Scientific and Ethical Aspects of
Beauty and Modifying
Appearance
Bernadette Moreno, Sundeep
Srivastava and Sarah Wolf
Introduction
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Cosmetic surgery or procedure including
dental
Diet pills or other supplements
Hair products or make-up
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Reasons why?
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Science and Technology
Plastic Surgery
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Rhinoplasty
Breast Augmentation
Liposuction
Chin and Cheek Implants
Blepharoplasty
Brow Lift
Abdominoplasty
Etc.
Rhinoplasty
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One of the most
common cosmetic
surgery procedures
Reduce or increase
nose size, change
shape of tip or bridge,
nostril size, angle
between nose and lip,
or correct breathing
problems
Cost: $5,700
“Modern Rhinoplasty Techniques and Facial Plastic Surgery”
<http://ent.pote.hu/course12.htm> 22 March 2006.
Breast Augmentation
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Enhances the size of the breasts using inflatable saline or
silicone implants
Implants placed behind breast or pectoral muscle tissue
Cost: $5,850 (saline) $7,050 (silicone)
“Breast Augmentation Surgery in Los Angeles” Personal Image Center
<http://www.plasticsurgerysource.com/plastic-surgery/breast-enlargement.cfm> 22 March
2006.
Breast Augmentation
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Side Effects
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Temporary soreness, swelling, change in nipple
sensation, bruising, breast sensitivity to stimulation;
lasting up to a few weeks
Scarring lasts from several months to a year or more
Risks
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Implants may need removal or replacement for
problems such as deflation or the formation of scar
tissue around the implant
Liposuction
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Sculpts the body by
removing unwanted fat
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Typically removed from
abdomen, hips, buttocks,
thighs, knees, upper arms,
chin, cheeks and neck
Narrow tube inserted
through tiny incision and
suctioning out fat cells
Cost: $9,900
“Lipoplasty/Liposuction” American Society of Plastic
Surgeons
<http://www.plasticsurgery.org/public_education/procedure
s/Lipoplasty.cfm> 22 March 2006.
Facial Implants
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Used to improve facial
contours
Implants made from
different materials
including silicone
Implant inserted into small
incision; often performed in
conjunction with other
facial surgery, i.e. face lift
Incision taped to reduce
swelling and discomfort
Cost: $3,000-$5,000
“Facial Implants” American Society of Plastic Surgeons
<http://www.plasticsurgery.org/public_education/procedures/FacialImplant
s.cfm> 22 March 2006.
Blepharoplasty and The Brow Lift
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Blepharoplasty: the
removal of fat, excess skin
and muscle from upper
and lower eyelids
Does not remove “crow’s
feet”, wrinkles or dark
circles
Brow/Forehead Lift:
corrects drooping brows
and smoothes forehead
Cost: $5,000
Left: “Blepharoplasty” and Right: “Brow Lift” American
Society of Plastic Surgeons
<http://www.plasticsurgery.org/public_education/procedur
es/Browlift.cfm> 22 March 2006.
Abdominoplasty
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Removes excess skin and
fat from middle and lower
abdomen
Long incision from hipbone
to hipbone above pubic
area
Skin separated from
abdominal wall and
muscles stitched into new
position
Extra skin removed and
new hole cut for navel
Cost: $6,500
“Abdominoplasty” American Society of Plastic Surgeons
<http://www.plasticsurgery.org/public_education/procedures
/Abdominoplasty.cfm> 22 March 2006.
Plastic Surgery and Recovery
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Scars may be pink for up to six months
after surgery
Risk of post-operative infections and blood
clots
Fluid loss
Nerve damage
Microdermabrasion
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Sandblaster-like
device used to spray
high pressure stream
of aluminum oxide or
salt crystals across
face and suction used
to remove dead outer
layer of skin.
Stimulates skin cell
and collagen
production.
“Microdermabrasion” Skinet. <http://www.lasercareclinics.co.uk/Treatments/Display.asp?ID=17> 22 March
2006.
Microdermabrasion
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Affects only outer layer of skin
Used to reduce fine lines, “crow’s feet”,
age spots, acne scars
Effective for all skin types
“Lunch hour procedure”
Multiple treatments required for visible
results
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5 to 12 treatments 2 to 3 weeks apart
Microdermabrasion
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Few complications
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Treatment extends only to outermost layer of
skin and so scarring is unlikely and recovery is
rapid.
Use of eye protection during procedure
prevents ocular complications such as
redness, sensitivity to light, and crystals
adhering to the cornea typical of early
microdermabrasion treatments.
Chemical Peel
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Uses a solution of
phenol (deep peel),
trichloroacetic acid
(medium depth peel)
and alphahydroxy
acids (light peel) to
remove damaged
outer layers of skin
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Wrinkles, blemishes,
uneven pigmentation
or sun damage
“Chemical Peels” BGPMA Department of Aesthetic
Medicine
<http://www.bgpma.com/html/aesthetics/peels_mai
n.htm> 22 March 2006.
Chemical Peel
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Side Effects
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Temporary throbbing, tingling, swelling, redness,
sensitivity to sun, whiteheads
With Phenol peel: permanent lightening of skin and
loss of ability to tan
Risks
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Infection, scarring, flare-up of skin allergies, fever
blisters, cold sores
In rare cases, heart irregularities with phenol peel
New wrinkles may form as skin ages
Collagen Injections
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Plump creased, furrowed or
sunken facial skin
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Add fullness to lips and backs of
hands
Risks and Side effects:
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Stinging, throbbing, burning
sensation, redness, swelling,
excess fullness, allergic reaction,
rash, hives, flu-like symptoms,
infection, connective tissue or
autoimmune diseases
Botox
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Botulinum toxin is a product of the bacteria Clostridium
Botulinum
Wrinkles caused when a muscle tightens.
Botox is injected through the skin into the muscle and
keeps the muscle from tightening; when the muscle can't
tighten, the wrinkle is less prominent
Effective for about 4 months, after which wrinkles may
reappear
Botox
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Side effects
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Droopy eyelids, flu-like symptoms, headache,
upset stomach, risk of botulism (a potentially
fatal disease which often results in difficulty
moving the arms and legs and difficulty
breathing – risk is low if Botox is used
properly)
Obesity Review
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300,000 to 400,000 obesity/overweight
related deaths per year and climbing
Gastric Bypass
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Performed when patient has BMI >40 or a
life-threatening, weight-related condition
and other weight loss treatments are
unsuccessful
Makes stomach smaller and allows food to
bypass part of the small intestine
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Fewer calories are absorbed resulting in
weight loss
Gastric Bypass
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Regular Digestion:
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Gastric Bypass:
Laser Eye Surgery
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LASIK: Laser Assisted In Situ
Keratomileusis
Reduce or eliminate dependency on
contacts or glasses
Not strictly considered cosmetic, but still
an elective procedure
LASIK Procedure
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Anesthetic eye drops to numb
eye
Suction ring applied to hold eye
steady
Corneal flap-outermost 20% of
cornea-raised and lifted to side
UV light and high-energy pulses
reshape internal cornea
Flap returned to original position
and observed for 3-5 minutes to
ensure cornea bonds correctly
After LASIK
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Burning, itching, discomfort, watery eyes,
blurred vision, sensitivity to light and
bloodshot appearance immediately
afterward
3 to 6 months for vision to stabilize
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Glare, haloes, difficulty driving at night
Further correction may be necessary
Cosmetic Dentistry
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Whiten teeth
Correct gum line
Seal gaps
Fix chips or cracks
Correct rotations
Replace worn down or discolored teeth
Cosmetic Dentistry
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blends function with beauty by combining
tooth reconstruction and plastic surgery
procedures on the mouth tissues (gums,
jawbones, facial muscles, lips, and skin) to
result in a better-looking smile
Before
After
Cosmetic Dentistry
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Crowns: artificial coverings for teeth made
from ceramic/porcelain metal composite,
gold, or a tin/aluminum mixture
Veneers: similar to crowns except they
cover the forward part of the tooth only
and are used exclusively for aesthetic
purposes
Cosmetic Dental Costs
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Orthodontics: $5,000 to $8,000
Crowns: $700 to $1,300
Whitening: $300 to $520
Veneers: $250 to $2,500 per tooth
Hair Removal
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Many cultures have an aesthetic "ideal"
amount of hair for males and females. For
some of us, unwanted hair that exceeds
this arbitrary standard can cause real or
perceived problems with social
acceptance.
Hair Removal Methods
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Depilation (removing part of the hair above the skin's
surface)
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Shaving or trimming
Depilatories (creams or shaving powders which chemically dissolve hair)
Friction (rough surfaces used to buff away hair)
Epilation (removing the entire hair)
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Tweezing
Waxing
Sugaring (similar to waxing but with a sticky paste)
Threading (twisted thread catches hairs as it’s rolled across skin)
Rotary Epilators (devices which rapidly grasp hairs and pull them
out by the root)
“Permanent” Removal Methods
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Electrolysis: permanent for most
Laser: permanent reduction for some
Flashlamp: permanent reduction for some
Prescription oral or topical medications:
requires continuous use
More “Extreme” Methods
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X-Ray: banned in the United States
Photodynamic therapy: in the
experimental stage
Other methods with doubtful promise
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Electric tweezers, transdermal electrolysis,
transcutaneous hair removal, photoepilators,
microwaves, dietary supplements,
nonprescription topical preparations
Pharmaceuticals and
Appearance
Diet Pills
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Many Diet Pills and Weight Loss Products
are Fraudulent
According to Fat - Exploding the Myths ( Lisa
Colles), Americans are reported to spend
between $30-50 billion each year on diet and
weight loss programs, products and pills; $6
billion of this is said to be spent on weight loss
products and pills that are fraudulent.
Diet Pills
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Prescription diet pills regulated by the FDA
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Meridia (Sibutramine), Xenical (Orlistat), Adipex, Bontril, Didrex,
Phentermine and Tenuate
Over the Counter Pills and Supplements
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Classified as “food supplements” instead of “weight loss drugs”
and are unregulated (i.e. not subject to advertising, dosage or
labelling requirements)
Some supplements have amphetamine-like properties or serious
side effects including death
Others are just plain useless!
Side Effects
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Pills that work on the brain, i.e. reduce appetite
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Pills that work in the gut, i.e. reduce calorie or
fat absorption
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raised blood pressure, chest pain, fever, hair loss,
depression, impotence, heart damage
diarrhea, unexpected fecal discharge and oily stools
Herbal diet pills
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“Herbal” or “natural” do not equal “healthier”
Some associated with major health concerns
Cosmetics
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Enhance beauty of the human body
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Simulate appearance of health and youth as
well as sexual arousal (wide eyes, flushed
cheeks and red lips)
Types:
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Lipstick, foundation, powder, rouge, mascara,
eyeliner, eye shadow, nail polish, concealer,
etc.
Cosmetic Ingredients
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“Pearl essence” in lipstick: shimmery substance
in fish scales and is a byproduct of large-scale
commercial fishing industry
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More commonly, pearlescent quality comes from mica
coated with a thin layer of titanium dioxide
Red color of lipstick: iron oxide (rust) or organic
pigments
Eye shadow: carmine dye which comes from
crushed bodies of cochineal insect (though
rarely)
Skin Care Products
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Moisturizers
Sunblock
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Protect skin from UV damage
Self-tanners
And other lotions
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Hide imperfections such as acne, wrinkles,
dark circles, etc.
Ethical Considerations
Topics for Discussion
What is Beautiful?
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What is beautiful?
Why do we find certain attributes
beautiful?
How has the notion of beauty changed
over time and what are some of the social
implications?
Beauty and Morality
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Certain images or ideas may be
considered inherently immoral and hence
do not create a valid aesthetic experience
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Sexual content?
Politically motivated? (That which does not
encourage adherence to dictates of the state)
Religious/Philosophical Views
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What does it mean to worship your body
or to view your body as a temple?
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Taking care of your body, doing what is best
for it
Treating your body with respect, compassion
and care
Not the same as being obsessed with
appearance
Cultural Considerations
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What is acceptable fashion/use of
cosmetics in one culture may be
inappropriate or offensive to another
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Implications for a multicultural society?
Botox
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Many cases of botched Botox
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Four cases of botulism poisoning occurred at
a Fort Lauderdale Clinic and then expanded to
California.
Doctors received their materials form a biological
laboratory that supplied the botulinum toxin.
 How can doctors know for sure that what they are
providing to their patient does not harm them?
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Plastic Surgery
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Medical evidence shows no correlation
between cancer and breast implants
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Should we be concerned about long term
health risks that we are not aware of for other
procedures?
Gastric Bypass
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Surgical and long term health risks
associated with gastric bypass surgery
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University of Washington study found that 1
in 50 people die within one month of having
gastric bypass surgery
Another Question:
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The holiday season brings an increasing number of
people giving plastic surgery as a gift, i.e. $15,000 face
lifts, $500 Botox treatments, and $40,000 porcelain
tooth veneers
Some doctors and social critics have raised ethical and
psychological questions about the consequences of
amending someone else's appearance, especially if the
gift was not requested. Patients may also
overlook the medical risks of the procedures if they
receive them as gifts.
What are your thoughts?
Other comments?
References
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American Society of Plastic Surgeons <http://www.plasticsurgery.org> 22 March 2006.
Balsam, M. S. Cosmetics, Science and Technology
Bandy, Way. Designing Your Face
Colles, Lisa. Fat - Exploding the Myths
“Cosmetics.” Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia <http://www.wikipedia.org/> 22 March 2006.
Elsner, Peter. Cosmeceuticals: Drugs vs. Cosmetics
Emory, Elliott. Aesthetics in a Multicultural Age
Estrin, Norman. The Cosmetic Industry: Scientific and Regulatory Foundations
Hasler, Clare M. Regulation of Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals: A Global Perspective
The United States Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Pharmacological and Surgical Treatment of
Obesity
http://www.webmd.com/hw/weight_control/hw252819.asp
http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/03/08/ap2581371.html
http://www.infoplasticsurgery.com/costloftus.html
http://weightloss.about.com/od/obesityhealth/a/bl_gastcost.htm
http://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/cost.htm
http://www.nbc6.net/health/3994046/detail.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/01/21/earlyshow/contributors/melindamurphy/main668323.shtml