Pandemic Covid-19 and Plastic Surgery

The closure of the house caused by the pandemic, the isolation, and the compulsory internet-based meetings for hours of “work and education” led the society to adapt to different or new preferences against this “new normal”.

During this period, while many existing problems related to plastic surgery increased, we encountered many new problems. What are these and how this pandemic has affected the plastic surgery? I’ve compiled them for you.

Breathing problems

The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 attacks the lungs and all respiratory system. However correct use of masks increases the breathing problem in people with congenital and traumatic septum deviation or allergic (using medication). This functional problem should be resolved by surgery at the most appropriate time after the detailed medical examination. The lung problem experienced at different levels during the treatment of people with Covid is an important factor that aggravates the breathing problem. By the way there is no problem in taking a swab sample for virus analysis from the nose after rhinoplasty.

Zoom dysmorphia

Wide-angle lenses make things look bigger than they really are. You may have noticed the noses that are much larger and incompatible with the face on the cameras focusing on the nose area with the distance education Zoom conferences we use increasingly often. While this effect is called Zoom dysmorphia, I would like to remind you that everyone who uses Zoom experiences this common but temporary perception problem related to angular and light to varying degrees. No need for rhinoplasty.

Anosmia

Temporary or permanent anosmia, also known as the inability to smell, is a common problem in terms of a functional deficiency of the nose in people infected with pandemic Covid-19. Flavor loss is of course another big problem that accompanies the inability to smell. Odor education, that is, studies with odor experts on scent literacy may be an option to speed up the recycling of odor acuity.

Maskne

The name given to the acne clinic, which is caused by frequent and professional use of masks (healthcare professionals, cashiers and security guards, etc.), especially in acne-prone and oily skin. Treatment is in dermatological examination and acne treatment protocols tailored to the skin type. In this process, people who treat acne with Roaccutane, whose active ingredient is Isotretinoin, should be followed more carefully in terms of depression.

Back of ear irritation problems

Redness, tenderness and sometimes superficial painful open wounds are common behind the ear, which are observed in people using narrow or short mask threads. The solution may be to connect the stiff mask threads to the apparatus passing through the neck and the use of physician-prescribed topical epithelizing ointment for the wound behind the ear. By the way, the use of proper mask does not cause any deformation in the prominent ear or after prominent ear surgery.

Hand skin problems

Frequent use of hand sanitizer or cologne may cause itching, flaking, cracks and dryness (eczema) on the hand skin, especially in people who do not use moisturizers.

Aesthetic Escape operations

Staying in a sedentary, uncertain and closed environment for a long time at home may cause some mild physical defects to be perceived severely. For this purpose, it is reported that online applications to the plastic surgeons have increased by 64% in some countries. If the process is accompanied by a body perception disorder, the problem may be experienced in a severe degree of obsession. It is very risky to make a sudden decision and a rush of aesthetic procedure/surgery decision in order to avoid the anxiety, uncertainty and intense distress experienced in this process. Getting psychological support from a specialist doctor may be a faster and easier solution than taking risks for an operation. In this case, correct information and guidance of the Physician (plastic surgeon) is essential.

Hair problems

Problems triggered by continuous use of bonnets and sleep disorders due to lockdown can be the reason for the weakening, reducing and spills in the hair, which is the “psychological target organ”. This process can be triggered by stress, latent strain, hormonal or vitamin deficiencies.

Surgical upper lip shortening or lifting

#Rhinoplasty/tipplasty, #Dimpleplasty and scar treatments are among the most preferred surgeries in this period because they are in the areas under the mask.

Although the frequency of breast reduction, augmentation and mastopexy, abdominoplasty and arm lift, liposuction, body shaping operations is decreasing during the pandemic period, which are under the corset after the surgery, they are other frequently preferred operations.