- 2 days ago
Aesthetic surgeries and treatments are booming — but what can enhancing your beauty really cost you? DW Science looks at the risks to weigh up. Plus, we look at the effectiveness of natural acne treatments.
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00:06It's scientifically proven, attractive people earn more than those regarded as less attractive.
00:12Nowadays there are lots of tools at hand, putting on makeup, filling your lips, straightening
00:19your nose, lasering wrinkles, and those pimples?
00:23In Good Shape has answers, especially for when it comes to avoiding the triangle of death.
00:43Mirror, mirror on the wall.
00:45Who has the most beautiful skin of them all?
00:48But be warned, the pursuit of beauty can be dangerous, even life-threatening.
00:53Influencer Lish Marie reached 12 million people on TikTok after sharing her experience.
00:59All she wanted to do was get rid of a blackhead.
01:02I popped a pimple in the triangle of death and ended up in the emergency room.
01:07They had to prescribe four different medications.
01:11A medical nightmare has taken social media by storm.
01:15Millions of people are now asking, does the mysterious triangle of death really exist?
01:21We asked Aesthetic Medicine Specialist Dr. Monica Osinski.
01:28Squeezing an infected spot or pimple on the upper lip can be dangerous, because the upper lip lies in what's
01:34known as the triangle of death.
01:36This is the triangle between the corners of the mouth and the bridge of the nose.
01:41The special anatomical feature here is that the superficial veins, blood vessels, are connected to deeper veins that connect to
01:50the brain.
01:51This means bacteria can spread into its interior.
01:59This can lead to meningitis, blood clots in the brain, or even blood poisoning.
02:07So are pimples actually a high-risk diagnosis?
02:14These kind of complications are extremely rare.
02:18A healthy person with a fairly superficial pimple in this area should not expect to develop complications like these.
02:27Even if it's tempting, Lish Marie has a warning for her followers.
02:31Hands off, don't squeeze it.
02:37Pimples are the result of a natural, protective body process.
02:41The skin contains sebaceous glands, which produce oil to stop it and the hair from drying out.
02:47When pores become clogged, bacteria build up inside them.
02:51In a protective response, the immune system triggers inflammation.
02:55Cutting back on milk, sugar, pasta, white rice, and white bread can often help keep pimples under control.
03:04Some plants can help, too.
03:06And who knows more about medicinal plants than a medicinal plant?
03:11Here's our expert, chamomilla.
03:17Why, hello there.
03:18I'm just a little medicinal plant, but I'm not alone.
03:22There are some 50,000 species of us in the world.
03:26We want to show you a little of what we can do.
03:29Our patient today.
03:34These little nasties can be embarrassing and persistent.
03:38Often, they just won't budge.
03:40That's why they're a problem for so many people.
03:45A problem all over the world.
03:47We need some medical advice.
03:50And we've got some.
03:52Welcome, Dr. Ludwig Peitsch.
03:54Acne has nothing to do with poor hygiene.
03:59It's a medical condition with a genetic component
04:02and is caused by overproduction of male hormones called androgens.
04:07Our herbal acne bashers come from different parts of the world.
04:11Here they are.
04:12Enter neem, turmeric,
04:15and aloe vera.
04:19My editorial team has poured over the evidence.
04:23Are there scientific studies that prove it's effective?
04:27So, let's look at the first medicinal plant, neem.
04:32Key components in neem include nimbin, azadiractin and quercetin.
04:37These compounds have antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.
04:44Studies show neem is effective against acne.
04:48It fights acne-causing bacteria,
04:50soothes redness and reduces swelling.
04:58But these studies involved only a small number of participants,
05:02so more research is needed.
05:04And this is how you use it.
05:18It's certainly something you can try,
05:21provided you're not allergic.
05:23It can be a useful complement to other treatments.
05:26On to our next herbal hero for acne.
05:30Turmeric.
05:34Turmeric can inhibit the growth and reproduction of acne-causing bacteria,
05:39especially Cootibacterium acnes.
05:42Several scientific studies back that up.
05:46Curcumin is the active ingredient behind it.
05:49Curcumin can also help reduce inflammation of the sebaceous glands in the skin.
05:54One study found that turmeric helped acne heal quickly.
05:59Another found it's especially effective for mild to moderate cases.
06:20Turmeric is often used together with products derived from the neem plant.
06:25It's now seen in facial cleansers, for example.
06:28Some of these have been tested in open-label trials,
06:32where a beneficial effect has been observed in over 100 participants,
06:36although these studies weren't compared against a placebo or other medication.
06:41But if you have a severe case, it's best to see a doctor.
06:47Otherwise, it can lead to continuing inflammation,
06:51and that can be very stigmatizing for those affected.
06:54It can also lead to scarring of the skin.
07:00Now to our third medicinal plant.
07:04Aloe vera is said to contain over 200 active ingredients.
07:09They include ace manan and salicylic acid
07:12that are especially important for the skin.
07:15Studies have shown that these substances are effective.
07:25Aloe vera has a soothing effect on the skin.
07:30It combines well with treatments like exfoliation.
07:33After a peel, when the skin might be a bit irritated or dried out,
07:38it can help calm it down.
07:39It's a good complementary treatment.
07:44This is what you do.
07:56All I can say is, give it a try.
07:58There are no scientific studies on how effective the masks are.
08:02There are also tips on social media about applying baking soda or toothpaste to acne lesions.
08:10I strongly advise against that.
08:12Baking soda can damage the skin barrier,
08:15and toothpaste is irritating to the skin and can also trigger contact allergies.
08:21Home remedies are usually only good for mild to moderate acne.
08:25If you don't see results, switch to plan B.
08:30One medication that's very effective for severe cases of acne is oral isotretinoin,
08:36a vitamin A acid derivative in tablet form.
08:40But strict contraception is vital while taking it, otherwise it can harm a fetus.
08:46In around 80% of severe cases of acne, it can lead to significant improvement.
08:52Time to say goodbye to today's patients, hopefully for good.
08:58That's all, folks.
09:00See you next time.
09:06Camomilla will be back with another topic soon.
09:09But now, to more extreme solutions.
09:12What are the most popular cosmetic procedures worldwide?
09:15Coming in at number five, rhinoplasty or a nose job.
09:19Number four, tummy tuck.
09:22Who needs a gym when there's a surgeon on hand?
09:24Three, blepharoplasty.
09:26Goodbye droopy lids and under eye bags.
09:29Number two, liposuction.
09:31Slim down fast, no diet required.
09:34And number one, breast augmentation with silicone or your own fat.
09:40But do procedures like these really make people happier?
09:43What happens when something goes wrong?
09:45Let's hear from people who've experienced it.
09:50Jazzy wants cosmetic surgery.
09:52She's never been happy with the shape of her nose.
09:57People say I'm giving myself a complex and that my nose isn't that bad.
10:02There are probably worse noses, but that doesn't change how I feel.
10:07Jazzy especially dislikes her nose in profile and always avoids photos from the side.
10:13She's now found an agency online that arranges cosmetic surgery abroad, but she has concerns.
10:20Like that there are no face-to-face consultation.
10:24The distance is a challenge.
10:26Everything is arranged in writing by email and messenger.
10:31For the consultation, she sends photos and receives images of possible modifications in return.
10:41Worldwide, the number of cosmetic procedures is rising year after year.
10:47Social media also plays a role, says psychologist Dr. Julia Tanker.
10:53Generally, the media is considered the biggest sociocultural source of body and beauty ideals.
10:59We learn from media, including social media, what's considered beautiful.
11:03And because we can interact with what we see on social media,
11:07we develop a much stronger sense of closeness and identification with the content.
11:12We then begin comparing ourselves with it, but hit discrepancies.
11:17This is what I look like now, but this is what I should look like.
11:21Dissatisfaction with your body is the result, and then possibly the desire to change it.
11:31But what's the ideal face?
11:34In a world where surgery lets people decide how they want to look,
11:38researchers have found that symmetrical and conventional looking faces
11:42are perceived as especially attractive.
11:46Then there are trends.
11:48Currently, for women, these are full lips, a small nose and high cheekbones.
11:56It's time to discuss the operation.
11:58The plan for Juzi is to shorten and straighten her nose.
12:02The surgeon also recommends lifting the tip slightly.
12:06She likes the idea.
12:09One more night in the hotel.
12:12The operation is scheduled for the next day.
12:16The big moment is here.
12:18It's a bit scary.
12:20I wished and planned for it and saved up for so long.
12:24And now I'm sitting here in the hospital.
12:25I'll go in any second now and a dream is coming true.
12:32Three hours later, she wakes up with a new nose.
12:35Then, two days later, during her follow-up appointment,
12:38she finally sees it for the first time.
12:44What if I don't like it?
12:46You're used to seeing the same face for 46 years.
12:50And maybe it won't suit me.
12:52Maybe this wasn't the right decision.
12:56On average, about a third of people are generally disappointed with the result.
13:00Risk factors include psychopathological conditions such as low self-esteem or anxiety.
13:07Other risk factors are unrealistic expectations and a younger patient age.
13:14Juzi is happy with her first impressions of her new nose,
13:18even if it's still swollen from the operation.
13:23Completely different.
13:25You can't even see the bump on the front anymore.
13:29It makes a huge difference.
13:31A completely different person.
13:34The final result will still take a few more months once the swelling has gone down.
13:42But the story doesn't always end well.
13:45Asa also had cosmetic surgery abroad.
13:50She was unhappy with her arms and wanted liposuction and skin tightening.
13:55But the result was a disaster.
14:05It looked very strange.
14:08The proportions just weren't right.
14:12But I was told it was just very swollen and that it would go away.
14:19Asa was discharged from the clinic in Turkey after just one night.
14:24She had two follow-ups over the next few days before flying home to Germany.
14:28But after she got back, the surgery sites became infected.
14:32One area opened up because of the infection and it started to smell because it had become infected.
14:43She got the infection under control but had no treating physician to turn to in Germany.
14:48Anyone planning cosmetic surgery abroad should also think about what happens when post-care is necessary.
14:55Who pays for follow-up costs?
14:57Asa hadn't thought about that.
14:59For a year and a half she was unhappy because of the ordeal.
15:07Whenever I looked at my arm, I felt like I had mutilated myself.
15:11I kept saying to myself, I wish I'd left it the way it was.
15:18That's why she decided to have corrective surgery performed by another physician.
15:23Dr. Martin Spescht documented what her arms looked like beforehand.
15:29Despite the extensive skin-tightening procedure, there was still a considerable amount of excess skin and soft tissue left.
15:36In the end, however, the patient was left with very large scars that extend into the armpit and constrict movement.
15:46Asa is relieved that her arms could be corrected.
15:50After the two operations and the large scars, she's had enough of cosmetic surgery.
15:58Jeezy, on the other hand, is happy she went through with it.
16:02She now likes what she sees in the mirror.
16:11The pursuit of beauty is also an issue for men.
16:16Today, Philip is on his way to an appointment.
16:21I'm here mainly for the polypeptide treatment.
16:26It basically stimulates the skin's natural regeneration and improves its elasticity.
16:37This isn't Philip's first procedure.
16:39He's already had fat removed from his abdomen and hips.
16:46I went to the gym a lot.
16:48I'd say somewhere between three and five times a week, depending on work and everything else I had going on.
16:54And over time, I simply noticed that certain areas of the body just can't really be shaped anymore the way
17:01they maybe could have before.
17:04Today, Philip is back to see Dr. Daniel Rudger for a follow-up appointment.
17:10Ascetic procedures are no longer just for women.
17:13Many men today also work at optimising their appearance.
17:19You can see that more men are daring to take this step.
17:23That's something we've seen more over the past years.
17:25Through social media, it's become more fashionable.
17:28And in Germany, we're behind other countries.
17:31If you look at the United States or South America, it's completely normal there.
17:38Masculine, fit and fresh.
17:40That's the look currently in demand for men.
17:43Philip and his doctor review the results of his liposuction.
17:47The main concern was these love handles that stuck out over your trousers.
17:52They didn't look very nice.
17:53We took some new pictures.
17:56Comparing, you can see a nice difference.
18:00In Germany, between 10 and 15 percent of all cosmetic procedures are now performed on men.
18:05And the trend is upward.
18:08Psychologist Lucas Maha explains why.
18:12I think the reason why more men are now choosing cosmetic procedures is that they're also affected by pressure about
18:19their body image.
18:20Anyone who differs from an ideal, whether in height, appearance, symmetry or weight, naturally experiences certain pressures to live up
18:29to that ideal.
18:30We see it in children, teenagers and now also in adults who choose cosmetic procedures.
18:36And social media certainly plays a role by presenting beauty ideals in an even more idealized way.
18:46That often creates unrealistic expectations.
18:50For Dr. Daniel Ruger, one reason not to support every wish for a change.
18:56You have to slow people down because it can quickly go too far.
19:00Especially with men, I think a few little lines should remain.
19:03It's attractive.
19:07To maintain a fresh appearance, Philip has regular injectable treatments.
19:12Together with his doctor, he also keeps the risks in mind.
19:17These aren't things that you should take lightly, even though they're often promoted as though side effects don't happen.
19:24They are safe procedures when they're carried out by the right person.
19:28But even so, there's always a residual risk.
19:34In Germany, the title cosmetic surgeon is not an indication of doctor's qualifications.
19:40That's why it's important to find out about a physician's training and experience.
19:49According to an online survey conducted by a cosmetic clinic,
19:53around two-thirds of respondents say they think it's acceptable for people to improve their appearance.
19:59Their biggest concerns are the risks and unnatural-looking results.
20:06Personally, I wouldn't do it unless it was necessary, for example, after an accident.
20:11For me, he doesn't need it.
20:13I already find him attractive.
20:16A man is who he is.
20:18That's what makes him attractive.
20:19Or not.
20:20You just have to like him.
20:23Before undergoing aesthetic procedures,
20:25experts advise reflecting carefully on expectations.
20:32You should always ask,
20:34what is the motivation behind it?
20:36What do I expect?
20:38If the goal is to avoid feeling inadequate,
20:41then one procedure may not be enough.
20:44There are also cases where someone says,
20:46I'm very unhappy with my appearance
20:48and want to change it because of social realities.
20:53In therapy, this is something we always try to reflect on carefully.
21:01The desire for change should be well planned.
21:04Not every trend needs to be followed,
21:06says Dr. Daniel Rudger.
21:11You shouldn't chase beauty ideals.
21:14Not everyone should look the same.
21:16It's about feeling comfortable in your own body,
21:19not turning into someone else.
21:25In the end, decisions like these remain very individual
21:29and should be carefully considered and professionally guided.
21:33Philip makes conscious choices.
21:37I did it for myself.
21:39I wanted to address certain areas, and I did.
21:43For me, it was the right decision.
21:47Everything went well for Philip.
21:49He's satisfied with the result.
21:51But there is never a guarantee
21:52that the outcome will match expectations.
21:58One risky procedure is the Brazilian butt lift,
22:02which uses the patient's own fat to enlarge the buttocks.
22:05However, if fat accidentally enters the bloodstream during surgery,
22:09it can be fatal.
22:10Also high risk are iris implants,
22:13or procedures that remove pigment to change eye color.
22:16Possible complications include chronic inflammation,
22:19pain, vision loss, and optic nerve damage.
22:24But there are also plenty of new treatments
22:27meant to make you look more attractive
22:29without a scalpel or major risks.
22:35Tanya Thomas-Sepong is visiting a beauty fair in Dusseldorf.
22:39As an aesthetic medicine specialist,
22:42she's interested in the latest developments in the industry.
22:45Her first stop, a new skin analysis device.
22:53It's using AI to show exactly what the skin is lacking,
22:57whether we have elastosis, pigmentation,
23:00severe dryness or blemishes.
23:02It shows that the treatment can then be adapted accordingly.
23:08Thread lifts, upper eyelid lifts, or liposuction,
23:12these are the procedures most of her patients ask for.
23:16Here she's testing a laser similar to the one in her practice.
23:21I'm impressed by what's possible with today's technology.
23:25You can melt fat, achieve significant skin tightening.
23:28We're moving further and further away
23:31from making incisions and performing surgery.
23:33These treatments are minimally invasive.
23:36The trend is increasing towards tightening the skin
23:38while avoiding scars.
23:45Almost anything from the world of body optimisation
23:48can be found at this fair.
23:50Surgery is still part of the practitioner's daily work.
23:54What's new, however,
23:55is stimulating the body's own regenerative abilities.
24:00People don't necessarily want to look younger.
24:03They want to look fresher.
24:04They want to age well.
24:06We're moving away from adding volume to the face.
24:09Instead, we're focusing on supporting the skin
24:12so it can regenerate,
24:14look healthy and maintain good skin quality.
24:16And then you can age wonderfully.
24:20And that's the trend.
24:22Back to nature.
24:24Thomas Neubner is a communications researcher
24:26who studies luxury and current trends among young people.
24:32Back to nature means returning to naturalness and individuality.
24:38Everyone looks like themselves again.
24:41For a while, people tried to optimise themselves.
24:45Then there was this clean girl trend on social media.
24:49Girls want to look natural and authentic again.
24:52I think that's great.
24:56Natural cosmetics rely primarily on the power of plants.
25:03Prickly pear, pomegranate, seed oils, plant-based retinol.
25:08You don't always have to use chemicals on your skin.
25:15Natural is the new black.
25:17The aesthetic medicine expert will continue to perform surgery,
25:20but only when it really makes sense.
25:23If someone is slim but has saddlebags,
25:26dieting won't make them disappear.
25:29Then I'll remove the saddlebags with liposuction.
25:31But if someone wants inflatable lips
25:34because they think they look beautiful,
25:36they won't get them from me.
25:37I don't overfill faces either.
25:39I don't do that.
25:42Well then, new beauty trends probably won't be long in coming.
25:51And the next edition of In Good Shape will be here before you know it.
25:56See you then, and bye for now.
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