Social media is flooded with comments about the aesthetic transformations of celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and Demi Moore, who seem to have uncovered the secret to eternal youth. Is it cosmetic procedures, plastic surgery, or even Ozempic? Dr. M.*, a plastic surgeon in Paris, breaks down the advances and pitfalls of beauty 2.0. And the findings are eye-opening.
The magical refresh. You know the look: a smooth forehead that’s not frozen, a tightened jawline, cheekbones that are neither too plump nor too deflated—all without any visible traces of surgery. That’s what everyone is after. But many fall into the trap of excessive cosmetic procedures, ending up with overly tight faces, altered eye shapes, and disproportionate features. Who’s to blame? Likely a mix of impatient patients chasing youth and heavy-handed practitioners. And with an ever-growing industry, the temptation is strong. Let’s stay positive—some procedures, surgical or not, are incredibly well-executed. Dr. M, an expert in reconstructive surgery, explains the why, the how, and most importantly, the dos and do-nots.
An exponential demand and pseudo-experts
The field of plastic surgery has been experiencing steady growth for years. In 2023 alone, the total number of surgical and non-surgical procedures increased by 3.4%, reaching 34.9 million, according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). That’s a 40% surge over the past four years. The most in-demand procedures? Liposuction, breast augmentation, eyelid surgery, along with Botox and hyaluronic acid injections.
Social media has largely fueled this popularity by normalizing these treatments. But the open access to information has also made patients more knowledgeable. “Thanks to the abundance of before-and-after images, people are more informed. They’ve become more critical and can distinguish well-executed procedures from botched ones. This pushes the profession to modernize techniques for more natural-looking, subtle results,” says Dr. M, a plastic surgeon specializing in facial procedures. Today’s goal? Less drastic, more harmonious transformations. Because according to experts, overly visible or unbalanced results often signal poorly executed work.
The telltale signs of surgery
“A well-done plastic surgery procedure should be undetectable,” Dr. M states. But there are some red flags. A face that appears overly tight and expressionless is often the result of an outdated facelift technique that only tightens the skin. “Facelift techniques have improved significantly in recent years. With the deep plane facelift (which we covered in detail in a previous article—editor’s note), we reposition the deeper structures of the face,” he explains. Other common signs of a poorly performed facelift include hairlines that have been pulled back too far, earlobes stretched downward, visible scars, or a neck that hasn’t been properly tightened.
When it comes to eyelid surgery, known as blepharoplasty, older techniques involved cutting the skin and muscles to remove fat pockets, often resulting in a rounded eye shape. Today, the procedure is performed from the inside of the eyelids to maintain their natural contour. “For a long time, traditional blepharoplasty was about removal—taking away skin and fat. Now, we understand aging-related volume loss and muscle weakening much better. Instead of just removing tissue, we add volume with fat grafting and tighten the muscles, making the eyes appear larger, more open, and less tired,” Dr. M explains.
As for rhinoplasty, an unnatural-looking nose is often a telltale sign of poor plastic surgery. “A well-done nose job should blend seamlessly with the face, without looking operated on,” says Dr. M. “This applies to all procedures—whether it’s the breasts, abdomen, or buttocks. It’s always about balance. The moment you disrupt natural proportions, it becomes obvious.”
What about injections?
While injections aren’t permanent, they can also reveal poorly executed work. The most commonly used products are hyaluronic acid and Botox. “Modern hyaluronic acids are excellent products and are well tolerated in most cases—provided they’re used in the right dosage. Too much volume can distort facial proportions,” warns Dr. M. Many patients keep topping up their injections to maintain the same look, forgetting that hyaluronic acid doesn’t fully dissolve. Depending on the person, it can linger for 12, 18, or even 24 months. “Some areas break down faster than others. Under-eye fillers last longer, while temples lose volume more quickly. That’s why it’s important to avoid over-treating the same areas repeatedly. Always ask yourself if it’s truly necessary before getting another injection, and opt for small amounts,” he advises. The good news? Hyaluronic acid has an antidote—hyaluronidase, which can dissolve excess filler.
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On the other hand, Botox completely wears off within four to six months, making it safe to repeat treatments multiple times a year. However, an overzealous doctor can freeze the forehead and eyes, creating an unnatural look. “One common sign of poorly injected Botox is the ‘Mephisto effect,’ where the outer eyebrows arch unnaturally high. This happens when only the center of the forehead is treated, allowing the brow tails to lift. If this occurs, a small additional Botox injection can balance it out,” explains Dr. M. Unlike hyaluronic acid, Botox has no antidote—if you don’t like the results, you’ll just have to wait it out.
The shift towards a more natural look
By now, it’s clear that aesthetic enhancements can be subtle and natural-looking. In fact, some people who have gone overboard with plastic surgery are now reversing the effects. Demi Moore and Lindsay Lohan are prime examples. Both recently appeared looking noticeably younger. So, what’s their secret? “Demi Moore had overdone hyaluronic acid injections, resulting in overly inflated cheekbones. She likely used hyaluronidase to dissolve the excess filler and then had a very well-executed facelift,” analyzes Dr. M.
Lindsay Lohan, on the other hand, appeared with overly plumped lips, heavy eyelids, and a somewhat bloated face. “From what I can see, she probably also used hyaluronidase to dissolve excess hyaluronic acid. To rejuvenate her look, she has clearly undergone a blepharoplasty. This is a high-quality cosmetic surgery procedure because it has truly enhanced and rejuvenated her appearance without altering her expression,” explains Dr. M. “Some people also speculate that she had a facelift, but in my opinion, that seems unlikely. Lindsay Lohan is still young—she’s only 38—and she has naturally well-defined facial features. It seems more likely that she has lost a significant amount of weight, possibly with the help of the well-known GLP-1 agonists (Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, etc.). Finally, in older photos, the actress had visible skin texture issues, with dilated pores and minor vascular spots, resembling rosacea. Today, her complexion appears much more even, and her skin texture seems refined. This suggests that she has undergone deep skin cleansing treatments using modern technologies and lasers to achieve a more uniform look,” he adds.
It indeed appears that combining facial treatments, aesthetic medicine, and cosmetic surgery is becoming increasingly common to achieve better results. “The aesthetic toolbox is much more extensive than it was a few years ago. Surgery has advanced, but we now also have devices that tighten tissues, thread lifts, a variety of injectables such as exosomes, mesotherapy, lasers, and more. While surgery primarily targets deeper layers, it’s also essential to treat the skin’s surface,” explains the expert. It is therefore the physician’s role to offer patients comprehensive, tailored treatment plans.
Treatments for every age
While cosmetic surgery may seem like a miraculous way to achieve a youthful appearance quickly, preparatory treatments and a healthy lifestyle are necessary to improve skin quality and enhance results. “I often see patients in their 50s or 60s who have barely done anything and suddenly want a facelift as a miracle solution. But they need to do other things first. They should start by balancing their hormones because menopause affects skin quality, maintain a healthy weight, focus on proper nutrition and sleep, quit smoking, and take care of their skin with deep treatments. When all these steps are followed in the right order and finished with a facelift, the rejuvenation effect is much more harmonious and natural,” concludes Dr. M. Before taking the leap into cosmetic surgery, it is crucial to research different techniques, be certain of your decision, and seek multiple professional opinions.
*Our source wished to remain anonymous.
Picture (c) : Vogue
