South Carolina Plastic Surgeon on the International Scope of Cosmetic Enhancements
Charleston Plastic Surgeon on the International Trends of Cosmetic Procedures
Charleston plastic surgeon Dr. Ram Kalus says he has seen the cosmetic enhancement trend amongst his patients begin to shift towards a more European aesthetic, characterized by subtle, natural results rather than high-profile procedures. As plastic surgery continues to pick up more steam across the globe, Dr. Kalus discusses recent statistics from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) as well as cosmetic style and preference in Europe and the United States in procedures such as breast augmentation and facelift.
According to the latest statistics from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), North America and Europe account for a combined total of 46% of all cosmetic procedures performed in 2010 and 12 of the top 25 countries with the highest total cosmetic enhancements. With over 8.5 million procedures performed between the two continents this past year, Dr. Ram Kalus, a plastic surgeon in South Carolina, says European and North American influences in aesthetic trends carry significant weight in the international market. Over the past few years, Dr. Kalus says he has seen a movement in cosmetic enhancement preference in the United States towards a more European aesthetic, specifically in breast augmentation in Charleston.
Having completed part of his plastic surgery training in Paris, Dr. Kalus says the European philosophy in aesthetic surgery has generally been structured on the “less is more” principle, particularly with facelift and breast augmentation procedures. Paris plastic surgeon Dr. Bernard Mole confirms Dr. Kalus’ observations, reiterating the perception that ideal beauty in France is geared towards natural-looking results. With breast augmentation, Dr. Kalus says European trends typically gravitate to smaller increases in cup size to achieve a more subtle enhancement, whereas cosmetic patients in North America have characteristically chosen higher profile implants. Similarly, compared to typical facelift procedures performed in the U.S., he says patients in France and other parts of Europe often choose a less extreme degree of tissue lifting. “In Europe, there is generally a more understated appearance. Women, for example, tend to wear less makeup, and both men and women tend to be very private and discrete about any enhancement they might have undergone. Therefore, it is critical to leave the patient with an unoperated appearance.This is true for both face and breast surgery.”
However, Dr. Kalus also adds that he has witnessed more and more patients in the U.S. beginning to seek smaller procedures and more subtle changes in their appearance, an aesthetic trend he subscribes to at his practice. For his South Carolina breast augmentation patients in particular, he says he takes great care to provide the highest level of precision and a natural-looking appearance. As with all cosmetic procedures, Dr. Kalus says he recommends patients consult with a dedicated, board-certified plastic surgeon in addition to researching all available cosmetic options thoroughly before making any decision about plastic surgery. “When one is selecting a plastic surgeon, it is not only critical to confirm they are board certified and well qualified, but the patient must also be comfortable with their aesthetic sensibility, and this can be reflected not only by that surgeon’s Before and After gallery, but also in his or her demeanor, office décor, and even the practice website. I feel that receiving part of my training in Europe, and being credentialed and licensed both in the United States and in Israel, has provided me with an international perspective that ultimately makes me a more well rounded surgeon.”
About Ram Kalus, MD, FACS
Completing both his medical degree and his B.A. in Psychology cum laude from Boston University, Dr. Ram Kalus has completed several plastic surgery residencies at various reputable institutions including the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, and the Hospital for Sick Children in Paris, France. He founded and directed the Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery at Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Israel in 1997, and has served as Past President and Treasurer of the South Carolina Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Kalus is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, in addition to being a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Located at 578 Lone Tree Drive, Suite 102 in Mount Pleasant, SC, Dr. Kalus’ practice, Plastic Surgery of the Carolinas, can be reached at (843) 881-3881. He can also be contacted online via the website plasticsurgerycarolina.com or facebook.com/plasticsurgerycarolina.
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